Best Northeastern American Wine Variety Producers
Red Newt Cellars is a winery located on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, in Hector, within the Finger Lakes wine region of New York State. It was founded in 1998 by David and Debra Whiting. The winery is dedicated to crafting wines with balance, elegance, and a pronounced expression of terroir.
Their portfolio includes varieties such as Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Red Newt Cellars is recognized as one of the leading wineries in the Finger Lakes region, with a highly acclaimed and award-winning wine selection.
Hillick & Hobbs is a winery located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, specializing in crafting exceptional dry Rieslings. Established by renowned vintner Paul Hobbs, the estate is named in honor of his parents, Joan Hillick and Edward Hobbs.
The estate vineyard spans 25 acres, planted on steep slopes with slate soils reminiscent of Germany's Mosel region. This unique terroir, combined with the moderating effects of Seneca Lake, creates ideal conditions for producing world-class Rieslings.
Ravines Wine Cellars is a small, family-owned winery located in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York State. Founded in 2001 by Morten and Lisa Hallgren, the winery is dedicated to crafting fine, classical wines that express the unique qualities of their vineyard sites and the growing season.
The winery has two tasting rooms: one on Seneca Lake and another on Keuka Lake, offering visitors the opportunity to experience their expressive wines in scenic settings. Ravines Wine Cellars has received acclaim from various fine food, wine, and travel publications.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 96 points
2023
BEST Ravines Wines
Red Tail Ridge Winery is a boutique winery located on the western shore of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The winery specializes in limited production cool climate wines, focusing on quality over quantity. They are known for their innovative wines that exhibit precision, varietal expression, and terroir-driven character.
Red Tail Ridge is committed to environmental sustainability and is the first LEED Gold-certified winery in New York State. Their 35-acre vineyard is farmed sustainably, reflecting their dedication to mindful environmental practices.
Best Northeastern American Wine Varieties
2020 Red Newt Cellars Riesling "The Knoll" Lahoma Vineyards is a dry white wine crafted from 100% Riesling grapes, sourced from the distinctive 'Pentacostal' and 'Kenny' blocks of Lahoma Vineyards, located on a unique knoll. The wine features a pale straw color and offers a fragrant bouquet of Anjou pear, white peach, and hints of honeydew melon.
On the palate, it is full-bodied with well-integrated medium-plus acidity, showcasing flavors of flinty green apple, raw almond, unripe Anjou pear, and tart star fruit. The finish is dry and long, with a mouthwatering quality. This Riesling reflects the dedication of Red Newt Cellars to producing wines that express the unique terroir of the Finger Lakes region.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 98 points
2023
Hillick & Hobbs Estate Dry Riesling 2020 is a dry white wine produced by Hillick & Hobbs in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Crafted from 100% estate-grown Riesling grapes harvested between October 1 and October 6, 2020, the wine reflects the unique terroir of the estate's vineyards, characterized by blue slate, glacial till, and limestone glacial shale soils with western-facing slopes up to 55%.
The 2020 growing season was warm and dry; however, cool lake breezes contributed to the estate's ability to slowly ripen fruit, resulting in a textural Riesling with early spring bloom aromas and lush stone fruit flavors that are backed by structured acidity and lingering minerality.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 96 points
2023
Ravines Wine Cellars' 2020 Dry Riesling from White Springs Vineyard is an elegant, dry wine that highlights the unique characteristics of its limestone-rich site. This vintage offers a vibrant bouquet of tangerine, juicy peach, and flinty notes. On the palate, it delivers focused minerality and refreshing acidity, making it a fine example of terroir-driven Riesling.
This wine reflects Ravines’ dedication to producing expressive and balanced wines from the Finger Lakes region.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 96 points
2023
Red Tail Ridge Winery's 2020 Pinot Noir is a distinguished red wine from the Finger Lakes region of New York. On the nose, it presents aromas of cocoa-dusted cherries, sweet tobacco, and rhubarb, leading into deeper earthy notes of mushrooms, black cherries, and savory fennel.
The palate offers flavors of brambly red fruit, roasted lemon, mushrooms, and toast, with a prominent backbone of acidity and youthful, juicy tannins. This wine pairs well with meaty and oily fish dishes.
AWARDS
James Suckling - 96 points
2023
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.