“Quality is on the upswing in New York’s Finger Lakes Region” according to James Molesworth of Wine Spectator Magazine.  He goes on to explain that while  rieslings, including Ravines Dry Argetsinger Vineyard 2008, are still the strong point of the region, reds are growing in number and quality…. albeit on a smaller scale than the whites.

Ravines winery, and our Dry Argetsinger Riesling is one of the features of this article, and Molesworth points out that this is our second consecutive vintage of this wine to earn an outstanding rating of higher than 90 (2008 received a 91!)

What makes our Argetsinger wine so great?  Sam Argetsinger and his family’s estate vineyard are a big part of it.  Gravelly loam and limestone deposits creating a minerally tang that sets this winery’s vintage apart from others.

Ravines Argetsinger Dry Riesling is not the only wine from us that made Molesworth’s list, also included was:

• Ravines Riesling Finger Lakes Dry 2008 (Floral with perfumy hint of peach, green almond, green apple, and melon rind notes, Bony in style, but not severe. RATING: 92
• Ravines Meritage Finger Lakes 2007 (Shows depth and refinement, with currant, damson, plum and black cherry fruit, and on a fine-grained structure.  Tangy herb and mineral hints.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot.) RATING: 89

To read the full article check it out here: New York’s Finger Lakes

Currently our 2008 Argetsinger dry riesling is only available to our Ravinous Wine Club Members.  It is free, so come JOIN NOW!

It wasn’t an easy harvest and I’m sure everyone is glad it is over.  2009 was one of the years requiring extra sweat and blood from the growers, winemakers and production crews alike.  An early frost and somewhat rainy growing season complicated conditions for everyone.  Growers had to drop a lot of fruit to achieve desired ripeness levels and spend many hours on their tractors spraying vines to keep the mold & diseases under control.  Vintners who worked their tails off in the vineyards this year were rewarded with clean, ripe fruit, good sugar levels and nice acidity.  Pinot Noir and Riesling were the harvest stars at Ravines this year. Winemaker, Morten Hallgren, is delighted with the overall quality of the grapes.

Sam Argetsinger brought us beautiful Riesling  grapesfrom his famous limestone soil vineyard.  Sam’s father, Cameron Argetsinger died last year before he could see the wine made from the vineyard he planted 35 years ago receive one of the most significant scores for Riesling ever given to a Finger Lakes wine. 91 in the Wine Specator for the Ravines Dry Riesling, Argetsinger Vineyard.  He and Morten take it all in stride.