We’re excited to introduce a new way to experience Red Tail Ridge Winery.
Our Food & Wine Experience pairs a selection of our wines with thoughtfully prepared bites, designed to bring out the best in each glass. It’s a relaxed, seated tasting that lets you slow down and enjoy the details.
The menu is prepared by our Resident Chef, Matt Hummel, with a focus on seasonal ingredients and layered flavors that complement our wines.
Each experience includes three curated bites, currently featuring:
Additional dishes are available à la carte if you’d like to explore more, including options like trout tiradito, sturgeon croquetas, nixtamalized beet tostada, and braised pork cheek, along with seasonal desserts.
Menus will shift with the season, keeping each visit a little different.
Take a look at our current menu.
Located in Penn Yan on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, this experience is perfect for a weekend visit, a small group outing, or something a little different than a standard tasting.
Reservations are recommended, as space is limited.
If you’re looking for a tasting that’s a little more thoughtful and a little more memorable, we’d love to host you.
Reserve your spot here.
Red Tail Ridge Winery continues to stand out in conversations about the power of wine to bring people together. In a recent WineLine article by Dave McIntyre, Red Tail Ridge appears among a curated list of wines that reflect both quality and connection within today’s wine community.
The article explores how wine creates meaningful moments between people, even across differences. That idea aligns closely with the experience Red Tail Ridge Winery delivers every day in the Finger Lakes. From the tasting room to the vineyard, Red Tail Ridge builds a space where guests can connect, share stories, and enjoy expressive, thoughtfully crafted wines.
Among the wines highlighted, Red Tail Ridge’s Blau Franc Blend 2024 earns attention for its vibrant and energetic character. This blend of Blaufränkisch and Cabernet Franc captures the winery’s innovative approach while staying rooted in the Finger Lakes terroir. The wine offers a lively, spice-driven profile with balance and structure, showcasing the precision and creativity that define Red Tail Ridge.
As the article suggests, wine is more than what’s in the glass. It creates shared experiences. Red Tail Ridge Winery continues to embody that philosophy by producing wines that invite conversation, discovery, and connection.
The Trestle 31 Wine Dinner at Red Tail Ridge Winery brings together great food, local wine, and good company. This Finger Lakes wine dinner highlights a simple and thoughtful approach to seasonal food and wine pairing.
Join us for this Trestle 31 Wine Dinner and enjoy a multi-course meal paired with Red Tail Ridge wines. Each dish features fresh, seasonal ingredients. Each wine pairing enhances the flavors on your plate. As a result, every course feels balanced and intentional.
Our team works closely with the chefs from Trestle 31 to create a menu that feels exciting and cohesive. In addition, every course has a purpose. Each pairing reflects the character of the Finger Lakes.
The evening moves at a relaxed pace. You can enjoy each course without feeling rushed. Meanwhile, you will have time to sip, taste, and connect with others at your table. The setting feels warm, welcoming, and refined, yet never too formal.
This Trestle 31 Wine Dinner offers more than a meal. Instead, it creates a shared experience centered on flavor, place, and community. It’s perfect for a night out, a celebration, or trying something new in the Finger Lakes.
Seats are limited and tend to fill quickly, so we recommend reserving early.
👉 Reserve your seat
👉 Learn more about Our Wines
Our Wine Club community gathers again for one of the most relaxed and enjoyable traditions of the season. The Wine Club Pizza Party at Red Tail Ridge Winery invites members to spend an afternoon enjoying fresh pizza, great wine, and vineyard views overlooking Seneca Lake on April 18th, 2026 at 6pm.
This event celebrates the people who make the Red Tail Ridge Wine Club such a vibrant part of the winery. Members will enjoy freshly prepared pizza paired with a selection of Red Tail Ridge wines while spending time with fellow club members and the winery team.
The setting makes the experience even better. Guests will gather at the winery surrounded by vines and sweeping views of the Finger Lakes landscape. It is the perfect place to share wine, meet other members, and enjoy a casual afternoon at the winery.
The Finger Lakes region continues to grow as one of the most exciting wine regions in the United States. If you would like to explore more about the region’s wineries and wine culture, you can visit organizations such as the
Finger Lakes Wine Alliance: https://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com
and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation: https://newyorkwines.org
Events like this give Wine Club members a chance to connect with the winery beyond the tasting bar. It is also a wonderful opportunity to meet other members who share a passion for Finger Lakes wine.
This event is exclusive to Red Tail Ridge Wine Club members, so space will be limited. We recommend reserving your spot early to secure your place at the table.
Reserve your seat here:
https://redtailridgewinery.com/product/wine-club-pizza-party-2026
Menu –
A great meal has a way of bringing people together. Nancy’s Family Meal at Red Tail Ridge Winery celebrates that idea with an evening centered on good food, expressive wines, and lively conversation.
Hosted by winemaker Nancy Irelan, this special dinner invites guests to gather around the table for a relaxed, family-style experience in the heart of the Finger Lakes. Instead of a traditional tasting or formal wine dinner, the evening focuses on connection. Guests share dishes, pour wines, and enjoy the atmosphere of the winery overlooking Seneca Lake.
Each course highlights seasonal ingredients paired with Red Tail Ridge wines. Nancy will guide the evening and share stories from the vineyard, harvest, and cellar. Her perspective offers a deeper look into how the wines evolve from grape to glass.
The Finger Lakes region has become one of the most exciting wine regions in the country. If you are curious about the area, you can learn more through organizations like the
Finger Lakes Wine Alliance: https://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com
and New York Wine & Grape Foundation: https://newyorkwines.org
Events like this help showcase the community and culinary culture that make the region unique. Guests will experience not only the wines, but also the welcoming spirit that defines the Finger Lakes wine scene.
Whether you are a longtime fan of Red Tail Ridge or visiting the area for the first time, this dinner offers a memorable way to experience the winery.
Reserve your seat for the event here:
https://redtailridgewinery.com/product/nancys-family-meal
Space is limited for this intimate gathering.
Wine Enthusiast recently released its NY Wines Guide, an insider look at the regions and wineries shaping the future of New York wine. We are proud to see Red Tail Ridge Winery included in this guide. The article highlights producers who continue to raise the quality of wine across the state.
In the NY Wines Guide, Wine Enthusiast explains why New York has become one of the most exciting wine areas in the country. The magazine points to the Finger Lakes as a leader in cool-climate winemaking. Because of deep lakes, glacial soils, and long growing seasons, the region can produce wines with strong acidity and clear structure.
At Red Tail Ridge, we focus on showing the character of Seneca Lake in every vintage. We farm with care, and we make wine with balance in mind. As a result, our wines reflect both the vineyard and the season. The NY Wines Guiderecognizes wineries that follow this same approach, and we are honored to be part of that group.
The Finger Lakes continues to gain national attention. For example, Riesling, Blaufränkisch, and sparkling wines from this region now appear on wine lists across the country. In addition, more writers and critics now look to New York when they search for wines with freshness and aging potential.
You can explore some of our current releases here:
https://redtailridgewinery.com/product/2023-blaufrankisch/
You can also plan a visit to the winery here:
https://redtailridgewinery.com/visit/
The NY Wines Guide shows how much the region has grown. At the same time, it reminds readers that success comes from hard work in the vineyard and careful decisions in the cellar. We are grateful to stand alongside the many Finger Lakes producers who continue to move New York wine forward.
Read the full Insider’s Guide here:
https://www.wineenthusiast.com/new-york-state-wine/
Published in February 2026.
Red Tail Ridge Wine Club Members are invited to an exclusive Barrel Tasting of the 2025 Vintage inside our working cellar. This guided experience offers early access to our 2025 Vintage wines while they develop in barrel.
During this Wine Club member exclusive, Co-owner and Winemaker Nancy Irelan and Associate Winemaker Meagz Goodwin will lead a guided walk through the Red Tail Ridge cellar. Members will taste wines directly from barrel and explore how the 2025 Vintage is evolving. You will learn how oak influences structure, texture, aromatics, and aging potential. This is a rare opportunity to taste the vintage long before bottling.
Barrel tasting gives members a behind-the-scenes look at our winemaking process. You will experience the personality of the 2025 Vintage in its earliest stage and gain insight into blending decisions, vineyard expression, and cellar technique.
After the guided cellar tasting, members are welcome to continue the experience with an additional tasting in the Main Tasting Room.
On the 22nd from 11:30am to 4pm, we will offer a preview of our new food program launching in April. Wine Club Members can pair their tasting experience with select offerings from this upcoming menu.
If you are visiting from out of town for the Barrel Tasting of the 2025 Vintage, your membership includes exclusive travel benefits.
Members receive room discounts at:
1897 Beekman House
FLX Treehouses (please contact us to activate this discount)
Members also receive a transportation discount with Grapevine Country Tours if you prefer not to drive.
This Barrel Tasting of the 2025 Vintage is available exclusively to Red Tail Ridge Wine Club Members. Please log in to reserve your spot.
February invites reflection, celebration, and wines that balance freshness with texture. Sparkling rosé wine captures all of that in one glass. From vineyard to bottle, every step shapes a wine that feels both joyful and intentional.
Pinot Noir clusters bring quiet beauty to the vineyard. Small oval bunches hold tiny berries that respond quickly to their surroundings. These sensitive clusters demand attention, yet they reward care with precision and depth. Many of the world’s most expressive wines begin right here, in these compact bundles.
Harvest requires patience and restraint. Our team hand-picks each cluster at the moment acidity feels bright and sugars remain lean. This balance matters. It gives the finished wine energy, structure, and clarity.
Pressing follows with a gentle approach. The membrane press allows juice to flow freely without force. Nancy watches closely as the press runs, selecting only the fraction that best serves the wine. That attention protects purity and texture from the very start.
Indigenous yeasts guide fermentation. These native yeasts express the Finger Lakes honestly, drawing character from the vineyards along Seneca Lake. This choice honors place and reinforces our commitment to wines that reflect where they grow. At Red Tail Ridge Winery, that sense of place always leads the process.
Time in tirage transforms the wine. Champagne yeast works slowly inside each bottle, creating fine bubbles and layered texture. This stage builds complexity and depth while preserving freshness.
Sparkling rosé wine loves food. Bright acidity and texture make it one of the most versatile pairing wines on the table. That versatility explains why it shines during our Valentine’s Day Caviar Experience, where balance and celebration share the spotlight.
Step back into mid-century America for a night of nostalgia, indulgence, and bold personality at Red Tail Ridge Winery. This drag dinner experience on March 28, 2026 at 6:00pm pairs a reimagined 1950s menu with live performances from some of Rochester’s favorite Queens. Expect classic flavors, lively banter, and theatrical moments throughout the evening.
The night begins with a cocktail half-hour designed to set the tone. Guests will enjoy bubbly wine alongside passed hors d’oeuvres inspired by iconic mid-century entertaining. These opening bites invite conversation and connection while easing everyone into the evening’s playful energy.
After the reception, guests will take their seats for the first of three drag performance sets. Each performance brings music, humor, personality, and audience interaction. Between sets, dinner unfolds course by course. Chef Matt Hummel updates classic 1950s dishes with thoughtful modern touches while preserving their nostalgic charm.
The menu opens with passed hors d’oeuvres, including deviled quail eggs with crispy chicken skin, tomato aspic with poached shrimp, and fried Castelvetrano olives with whipped feta. The second course presents a refreshed Waldorf salad. For the main course, guests will enjoy a rich and satisfying short rib Wellington. Dessert closes the evening with a flaming surprise that delivers drama worthy of the final bow.
This drag dinner experience reflects Red Tail Ridge Winery’s commitment to hospitality, creativity, and memorable food-and-wine moments. Guests should arrive ready to laugh, celebrate, and embrace the unexpected.
Date: March 28, 2026
Time: 6:00pm
Ticket Price: $150 per guest
For your convenience, you may choose to add an 18% gratuity at checkout.
Seats remain limited, and this event will sell quickly.
👉 Add to cart and reserve your seat at Red Tail Ridge Winery today.
The annual Top 100 Value Wines report from JamesSuckling.com highlights bottles that deliver outstanding quality at accessible prices. Published on January 21, 2026, this guide focuses on wines that balance character, freshness, and consistency. James Suckling and his tasting team selected these wines after evaluating tens of thousands of bottles from across the globe, reinforcing the idea that value comes from intention rather than price alone.
Wine lovers increasingly look for bottles that perform well in everyday settings. The 2025 list reflects that shift. It celebrates wines that pair easily with food, show regional identity, and offer immediate enjoyment. Producers from 12 countries appear on the list, including standouts from the United States, Italy, Spain, France, Chile, Australia, and New Zealand. This global mix proves that thoughtful winemaking drives quality across price points.
The wines featured in this report succeed because they emphasize balance and clarity. They avoid excess. They focus on purity of fruit, structure, and drinkability. These qualities allow value-driven wines to shine at the table and remain consistent from vintage to vintage.
JamesSuckling.com continues to influence how consumers discover wine. The publication relies on blind tasting, clear scoring criteria, and detailed notes. That approach helps readers explore unfamiliar regions with confidence. Lists like this one guide buyers toward smart decisions without sacrificing enjoyment.
At Red Tail Ridge Winery, we share that same philosophy. We believe value begins in the vineyard and continues through every step of the winemaking process. Our wines focus on site expression, balance, and restraint. You can explore our approach by visiting our Wine Shop or planning a trip through our Visit Us page.
This year’s James Suckling value wines list also reflects a broader industry trend. Today’s best value wines no longer serve as compromises. They stand on their own. They invite repeat enjoyment and fit seamlessly into daily life.
👉 Read the full Top 100 Value Wines 2025 article on JamesSuckling.com here.
Published on January 21, 2026