Located in New York’s Finger Lakes region, Red Tail Ridge Winery is owned and operated by Mike Schnelle and winemaker Nancy Irelan, a husband and wife team who came to Seneca Lake from California, where Mike worked in the financial services business and Nancy was an executive in charge of viticulture and oenology R&D at a large winery. They developed their vineyard from scratch, are farming in a sustainable manner and were the first LEED certified winery in New York. The focus of their production is Riesling, but they've also planted several clones of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir as well as small experimental plots of Teroldego and Dornfelder. They plan to remain a limited production winery crafting premium dry wines that faithfully reflect their origins. The winery attracted attention for its early releases with some very positive press and several Gold and Silver medals in competitions on the East and West coasts. Wine Business Monthly named Red Tail Ridge one of its Hot Small Brands of 2008.

Tasting notes

Concentrated aromas and flavors of dried currant, black cherry and boysenberry jam laced with hints of prosciutto and dried mushrooms. Luxurious mouthfeel, nice tannin weight mid-palate followed by a soft bubbly finish.

Wine maker notes

238 gallons 50% barrel aged 50% ML GRE yeast Tirage production on February 16, 2008 49 cases disgorged August 12, 2010

Technical notes

Total Acidity: 6.5 g/l 12.0% abv pH:3.41 Residual Sugar:27.0 g/l Harvest Date: 10/20/2008