In the Jan / Feb 2023 issue of Wine Spectator, finding wine value and “Smart Buys for $40 or less” was the main topic of conversation. Leading that conversation for “Global Riesling” was Ravines 2019 Dry Riesling, receiving 92 points. Kristen Bieler wrote,
“The Finger Lakes region of New York has become an excellent source of great—and well-priced—Riesling. Many of the best hail from the steep slopes of Seneca and Cayuga lakes… For fans of the bone-dry, super minerally style, it’s hard to beat Ravines, a relative newcomer founded in 2001.
Separately, Food & Wine published a story about 13 Finger Lakes wineries titled “The Finger Lakes Are About More Than Riesling – These destination wineries specialize in Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and more New York wine.” Even so, they go on to highlight the great Dry Riesling’s being made too!
Morten and Lisa Hallgren, the husband-and-wife team behind Ravines Wine Cellars, passionately believe in the relationship between wine and food. Morten Hallgren studied winemaking in France and brought his Old World expertise to the Finger Lakes, where he’s become locally famous for his very dry Rieslings, earthy and complex red blends, and bright, zippy dry rosés. On the food side of the operation, Lisa helms Ravines’ tasting-menu restaurant and produces small plates to accompany wine tastings, and her focus firmly rests on developing and executing seasonal dishes that complement the flavors of Ravines’ wines.
A list of our current Dry Riesling wines are below, or shop all of our wines on our website’s online wine shop.
A few other recent reviews about each of the four Dry Riesling wines are listed below:
2019 Dry Riesling – 94 points Decanter Magazine
“This delicious wine is an incredible value. The ‘entry-level’ dry Riesling is blended mainly from fruit from the White Springs and 16 Falls vineyards. In the cool 2019 conditions, these sites delivered lovely aromas of lime, Williams pears and green apple with a hint of hawthorn flowers. The great impression of fruit brings an elegant balance to this bone-dry wine, and the nervy acidity and extract propel it to a lovely, lingering finish. Drinking Window 2022 – 2045.” – CC, 1/31/22
2019 Dry Riesling, Argetsinger Vineyard – 94 points Wine & Spirits Magazine
“This vintage of Argetsginer is all about energy. Grown at Ravines’ leased vineyard on the east side of Seneca Lake, it’s spectacularly twitchy and lean, with a scent of pineapple and smoke, passion fruit and lime, high-toned fruit meeting high toned texture. On the palate, the mineral effect is alive and electric, the acidity matched by salinity that seems to pulse through the wine.” – PC, 5/1/22
2019 Dry Riesling, 16 Falls Vineyard – 93 points Wine & Spirits Magazine
*Please note – very minimal quantities of this wine remain… 4 bottle max per customer
“Where the Argetsinger Riesling beckons in its quiet firmness, Ravines’ 16 Falls, is younger, more assertive, racy and electric, with scents of lees, fusil, Thai pineapple and a hint of celery. The acidity on this wine is more of an overt driver, mouthwatering with taut inner tension for a Thai curry.” – PC, 8/1/21
2020 Dry Riesling, White Springs Vineyard – 92 points Wine Spectator
“Bright and superfresh, with star fruit, white peach, acacia and heather notes rushing through, backed by tangy, slate-accented minerality on the finish. Drink now through 2025. 1,020 cases made.” -JM, 8/31/22