A textbook modern take on the signature wine of the Finger Lakes—racy, dry Riesling.

Winemaker Morten Hallgren and his wife, Lisa, herself a trained chef, founded Ravines in 2001. Danish by birth, Morten grew up on his family’s wine estate in France’s Côtes de Provence, and later attended enology school in Montpellier. One of his earliest jobs was at Château Cos d’Estournel in Bordeaux, and many years later, in 1998, he went to work as Chief Winemaker for Dr. Konstantin Frank Cellars in the Finger Lakes—where he learned firsthand of the huge potential of the region’s terroir and wines. 

In all, Ravines farms 130 acres of mature vineyards. Their winery and tasting room is situated on the eastern shore of Keuka Lake, in Hammondsport, and is home to their 59-acre White Springs Vineyard, a steep-sloping, east-facing parcel in soils of loam over limestone. They also farm estate vineyards on the eastern shores of Seneca Lake, both of which also feature mineral-rich soils of shale and limestone.

This flagship “estate” Riesling is crafted in a resolutely dry style, using fruit from both Keuka and Seneca Lake vineyards. These vineyards are farmed sustainably, and would be considered organic if it were not for the occasional need for treatments during humid summers with high disease pressure. Fermentation and aging occurs in stainless steel tanks, using only ambient yeasts. 

Thiis a crisp, mouthwatering dry Riesling in the German/Austrian mold, with bright aromas and flavors of blossoming white flowers, lemon/lime, white peach, and a hint of wet stone. It is medium-bodied, with good ripeness but no lingering residual sweetness. Pair it with Thai Basil Chicken or other preparations incorporating aromatic herbs (or citrus).