A Blend of the 2019-2023 Vintages, together they reflect the combined terroir of Red Tail Ridge across time. 2019 was a cool growing season, which led to harvest beginning 10-days later than usual, in mid-September. 2020 had moderate temperature and rainfall throughout the growing season and into harvest made this year relatively straightforward, as opposed to previous vintages. 2021 was cold & wet throughout the year, prooving difficult from start to finish. It was a true test of strength, fortitude, and knowledge…with the emphasis on knowledge. 2022 had a beautiful growing season with a solid harvest, low yields, but excellent fruit. 2023 began with a late season freeze, but Red Tail Ridge made it through that without being singed too badly. After that, the growing season was consistent and relatively cool, with smoke from Canadian wildfires shading the skies, but was not bad enough to have a danger of smoke taint. This led to classic Finger Lakes styled wines at harvest.
Production Notes
Reserve wine is held in one specific tank in the winery and is used, then replenished each year. Primary fermentation of the grapes was done based on the vintage and expression of each varietal. 26.54% of Cuvee #4 was used as the base of the blend. Of the new wine added to the blend, 60% of the still wine used in the blend was fermented in stainless steel, 40% in neutral oak. Tirage (secondary fermentation) took place over the course of 6-10 months. Riddling and disgorgement was done in batches beginning in January 2025 and ending in April 2025.
From Finger Lakes, New York