New York Times features Ravines and Finger Lakes Wine
By Ravinous
Eric Asimov visited Ravines Wine Cellars during the 2011 Harvest season:
“I was a bit starstruck when he came to the tasting room because I have appreciated his work for years, but he is a super-nice down to earth man,” reflects Lisa Hallgren. “He said he was ‘blown away’ when he first tried our Riesling and that was such a big complement for us. Not everyone appreciates the focused, minerally style we make as it’s very different than other Finger Lakes producers, but Eric likes it and his opinion means a lot to us.”
- Morten Hallgren in a Finger Lakes vineyard. Photo by Nathaniel Brooks for The New York Times
Deep Lakes, Icy Climate, Great Wine
Ravines Wine Cellars, one of the best producers, makes a wonderful dry riesling. I drank a 2009 and liked it so much that I bought a case, for just $14 a bottle. Ravines also makes a superb riesling from the Argetsinger Vineyard above the east bank of Seneca Lake. The lakes, deep claw marks left in the earth of west-central New York by glaciers moving south from the Hudson Bay, are as much a part of the winemaking culture here as tough vintages like 2001. The great depth of their waters nudges this otherwise inhospitable region to a level of bare tolerance for the fine wine grapes planted on the lakes’ slopes. In winter, the lakes almost never freeze, moderating harsh cold to protect the dormant vines, while in summer they air-condition the vineyards.
“The whole cool-climate viticulture thing is lacking on the American wine scene,” said Morten Hallgren, the winemaker and owner of Ravines with his wife, Lisa. “It shows a bright future for the Finger Lakes.”
Diner’s Journal: The Good Life Comes a Little Harder in the Finger Lakes
The best vineyards are planted on slopes surrounding the lakes, where they benefit thermally from the lake effect: in the summer, cool breezes from the lakes ease the heat, while in the harsh winter, warmth retained by the lakes prevents the vines from freezing.
Closer to the lakes, vacation homes occupy the shores, each, seemingly, with its own dock, along with the occasional resort. The flat, fertile land in between the lakes serves old orchards and dairy farms. A significant population of Mennonites lives in the land between the lakes as well. Numerous signs warn motorists to be aware of horse-and-buggy traffic.
Tourism is important to the region, but it’s not the wealthy sort of wine country tourism more typical in California.
October 13th, 2011
Recent Press About Ravines Wine
By Ravinous
Rick Van Sickle - New York Cork Report – Guest Post: A Drier Style of Riesling at Ravines Wine Cellars
“Morten admits that Ravines doesn’t “try to be everything to everyone” which, to be honest, is a refreshing change from so many of the Finger Lakes wineries that tend to do just that and end up with a whole mess of wine that perhaps is fine for the masses but misses the mark for serious wine lovers”
Sue Guerra – On the Vine: TasteCamp – East Highlights
“Dry Riesling 2008 – Argetsinger Vineyard: The wine had the same intense minerality with floral notes, citrus, and great acidity, plus a little more richness and body on the finish.”
John Witherspoon – Anything Wine : An Afternoon at Ravines Wine Cellars
“On paper he knows what he’s doing and his knowledge and passion definitely translate to the glass” (speaking about winemaker Morten Hallgren)
Remy Charest – The Wine Case : Tastecamp day 1: Great Riesling – and some surprising reds
“But the real surprise came from Ravines Vineyard … the wines displayed confident and precise winemaking choices, the Rieslings were bone dry and built for the long run”
Michael Gorton – Undertaking Wine : Ravines Wine Cellars: More Than Just Riesling
“…make sure you visit and taste Ravines. And if you happen to be around when they have wine pairing dinners, make sure you make a reservation. I know I would.”
Julien Marchand – Empty Glasses : Tasting Through Riesling at TasteCamp 2010
“…bone dry Rieslings are made for the long run as seen the oldest of the three was still razor-sharp, with the structure and acid which will hold this wine together for years to come.”
Rick VanSickle – Wines in Niagara – RickWines, The Blog: A Journey to the Finger Lakes: Part 1
“The Ravines style is built around tight, mouth-watering, bone-dry rieslings that are balanced between fresh fruit and acid. They are made for the long haul in the cellar even though they are released to the public with some bottle age.”
Sasha Smith – Spin the Bottle : Finger Lakes Highlights: Argetsinger Vineyard
“The wine, made in a dry style, had a steeliness, minerality, and finesse that set it apart from the other local Rieslings I sampled over the weekend, and it was one of my favorites of the entire trip.”
Lenn Thompson – The New York Cork Report : TasteCamp EAST 2010 Interview: Rick Van Sickle (WinesofNiagara.com)
“What tasting or vineyard walk was and will be the most memorable for you? The Ravines Wine Cellars tasting and Argetsinger Vineyard walk … Fascinating owners and winemaker who is steadfast in his beliefs. And perfectly matched to his grower.”
Zesty Lemon Chicken
By Ravinous
Zesty Lemon Chicken
3 fresh lemons
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 t wild fennel pollen or dried fennel
1 t fresh thyme, finely chopped
2/3 c olive oil
s&P
1 whole chicken, pieced
Grate yellow zest of 2 lemons avoiding bitter white part and then . Add juice to garlic & spices. Slowly whisk in olive oil in thin stream. cut remaining lemon into thin slices.
Pour 3/4 of marinade over chicken pieces and massage a bit. Let marinate overnight. Grill until cooked appx. 30 minutes and grill lemon slices too. Spoon remaining 1/4 marinade over chicken and garnish will grilled lemon slices.
Serve with Ravines Dry Riesling.
Ravines Single Vineyard Riesling wins high scores in Specator
By Admin
“Quality is on the upswing in New York’s Finger Lakes Region” according to James Molesworth, senior editor of The Wine Spectator magazine.
Ravines Wine Cellars, and our Dry Argetsinger Riesling is one of the features of this article, and Molesworth points out that Ravines single vineyard Dry Riesling is the only non-desert wine in the Finger Lakes ever to have consecutive vintages with outstanding ratings.
Sam Argetsinger and his family’s estate vineyard are a big part of the beauty of this wine. Old vines, gravelly loam and limestone deposits create a distinctive minerality that sets this vineyard 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
Currently our 2008 Argetsinger dry riesling is only available to our Ravinous Wine Club Members. It is , so come JOIN NOW!