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.