Red Tail Ridge Winery is proud to be featured in the August 2026 issue of Cottages & Gardens as part of an exploration of the Finger Lakes wine region. The feature, “Lake Effect,” takes readers through several standout Finger Lakes wineries and highlights the people, vineyards, and winemaking techniques helping shape the region’s reputation.
During her tour of the Finger Lakes, writer Baroness Sheri de Borchgrave made Red Tail Ridge the final winery stop of her trip. The article highlights winemaker Nancy Irelan and her work producing exciting cool-climate sparkling wines on Seneca Lake.
The feature also calls attention to Red Tail Ridge’s 50-acre property overlooking Seneca Lake, including our high-ceilinged tasting room surrounded by a pollinator field of wildflowers.
General Manager Kristin Evans introduced the writer to one of Red Tail Ridge’s most celebrated wines, Pérpetuelle Change Cuvée. The article explores the Solera method behind the wine, where reserve wines are carried forward and replenished with wine from the current vintage.
Readers can learn more about Pérpetuelle Change Cuvée No. 5 here.
Red Tail Ridge received another special mention in the magazine’s tasting notes. The Pérpetuelle Change Cuvée #5 was selected alongside wines from several notable Finger Lakes producers.
The magazine highlights the sparkling wine’s honeysuckle and orange aromas, fresh character, saline minerality, and refined bubbles. The recognition showcases the distinctive qualities that cool-climate winemaking can bring to sparkling wine in the Finger Lakes.
The Pérpetuelle Change Cuvée No. 5 represents multiple vintages and reflects the terroir of Red Tail Ridge across time. Our approach to winemaking focuses on precision, varietal expression, and wines that showcase the unique growing conditions of the Finger Lakes.
Explore more Red Tail Ridge wines or plan a tasting at our Seneca Lake winery.
We’re honored to have Red Tail Ridge included in Cottages & Gardens alongside other producers helping tell the story of Finger Lakes wine.
Red Tail Ridge Winery is proud to be recognized in WineLine, where wine writer Dave McIntyre highlighted outstanding American sparkling wines perfect for summer celebrations. The feature places Red Tail Ridge Winery among exceptional producers across the country and continues to showcase the quality of sparkling wines crafted in New York’s Finger Lakes.
Produced using the méthode traditionnelle, Red Tail Ridge sparkling wines are crafted with the same time-honored technique used in Champagne, France. Each bottle undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle and extended aging on the lees, resulting in elegant bubbles, vibrant acidity, and remarkable depth. These wines are made to celebrate life’s special moments while remaining versatile enough to pair with seafood, fresh cheeses, fried foods, and many seasonal dishes.
Recognition from respected wine journalists like Dave McIntyre reflects the continued rise of the Finger Lakes as one of North America’s premier cool-climate wine regions. Red Tail Ridge has long been dedicated to producing expressive, terroir-driven wines that highlight the unique character of the region while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
This feature is another exciting milestone for our winery and reinforces our commitment to producing world-class sparkling wines. Whether you’re raising a glass for the Fourth of July, celebrating with friends, or simply enjoying a summer evening, Red Tail Ridge Sparkling offers a memorable experience in every bottle.
We invite you to read the full WineLine article and discover why American sparkling wines continue to earn national attention.
While you’re here, explore our Sparkling Wines collection and learn more about our winemaking philosophy to discover what makes Red Tail Ridge unique.
Read the original article, “American Sparklers for the Fourth,” by Dave McIntyre in WineLine.
Published on July 2, 2026
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.
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.
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
Red Tail Ridge Winery is featured in the Wall Street Journal’s Discerning Drinker’s Guide to American Rosés.
The Wall Street Journal rosé feature shines a national spotlight on Red Tail Ridge Winery, celebrating the rise of high-quality American rosé and the distinctive character of the Finger Lakes wine region.
In The Discerning Drinker’s Guide to American Rosés, the Wall Street Journal explores producers who craft rosé wines with intention, balance, and a strong sense of place. Red Tail Ridge Winery stands among those featured for its commitment to cool-climate viticulture and expressive winemaking. This Wall Street Journal rosé feature reinforces the growing recognition of Finger Lakes rosé on the national stage.
Located on the west side of Seneca Lake, Red Tail Ridge Winery focuses on estate-grown fruit and sustainable practices. Our rosé program reflects that philosophy. Each vintage highlights freshness, structure, and food-friendly acidity. These qualities define great cool-climate rosé and continue to attract attention from top wine publications.
This Wall Street Journal rosé feature also signals a broader shift in how American rosé is viewed. Once treated as a seasonal afterthought, rosé now commands serious respect. Producers like Red Tail Ridge Winery help lead that evolution through thoughtful grape selection and precise winemaking.
Guests who visit our tasting room can explore these wines firsthand. Our rosé offerings pair beautifully with a range of foods and shine in every season. To learn more about visiting, explore our Visit Us page or browse our 2024 Dry Rosé.
We invite readers who discovered us through this Wall Street Journal rosé feature to dive deeper into what makes Finger Lakes wines unique. From vineyard practices to cellar decisions, every step reflects our dedication to quality and place.
👉 Read the full article on the Wall Street Journal here.
Published on May 30, 2025
The New York Times highlighted New York Cabernet Franc in a dining and drinks feature that explores how this varietal continues to elevate New York’s wine reputation. The article focuses on producers who shape the future of cool-climate red wine across the state. Red Tail Ridge Winery earned recognition among the wineries driving quality and character in New York Cabernet Franc.
Cabernet Franc thrives in New York’s cool climate, where long growing seasons and glacial soils create wines with freshness, structure, and aromatic depth. In the Finger Lakes, Red Tail Ridge crafts Cabernet Franc that emphasizes balance, precision, and site expression.
Vineyard and cellar decisions at Red Tail Ridge focus on clarity and varietal character. Each vintage reflects the season and highlights the grape’s natural vibrancy, savory spice, and refined tannin profile.
National media attention strengthens the Finger Lakes’ reputation as a serious cool-climate wine region. Recognition from The New York Times places Red Tail Ridge Winery within a broader conversation about the rise of high-quality American Cabernet Franc and New York’s growing influence on the national wine stage.
Published on March 13th, 2025
Finger Lakes Libations highlighted Red Tail Ridge Winery in its Spring/Summer issue, placing the winery among producers shaping the Finger Lakes beverage scene. The publication focuses on makers who define quality, creativity, and a strong sense of place across the region.
Finger Lakes Libations spotlights wineries that push the region forward while staying grounded in terroir and craftsmanship. The feature recognizes Red Tail Ridge for its expressive cool-climate wines and its role in the evolving Finger Lakes wine conversation.
Red Tail Ridge Winery crafts wines that reflect the land, the vintage, and the winemaker’s vision. Estate vineyards overlook Seneca Lake, where glacial soils and a cool climate shape wines with energy, structure, and precision.
Our approach sets us apart:
Distinctive cool-climate wines
We produce vibrant sparkling wines, elegant whites, and character-driven reds that highlight Finger Lakes terroir.
Intentional winemaking
Every decision in the cellar supports balance, freshness, and varietal character. Each vintage tells a clear story.
Immersive tasting experiences
Guests enjoy wines in a welcoming tasting room with sweeping vineyard and lake views.
Strong connection to our community
We actively support the Finger Lakes wine region and contribute to its continued growth and recognition.
This feature reinforces Red Tail Ridge Winery’s place within the Finger Lakes wine landscape. Recognition from Finger Lakes Libations reflects a continued focus on quality, precision, and wines that speak clearly of place.
Published in Spring/Summer 2025
The New York Times Highlights Our Riesling 🍾 | November 2025
Our Finger Lakes Riesling recently caught the attention of the New York Times, earning national recognition for its quality and sense of place. This feature highlights both our Riesling and the strength of Finger Lakes wine on a global stage.
👉 Read the New York Times article here
Our Finger Lakes Riesling reflects the region’s cool climate and distinctive soils. Bright acidity drives the wine. Citrus notes lead. Green apple and stone fruit add balance and clarity.
The New York Times highlighted what defines our Riesling style. We focus on precision. We value freshness. We let the vineyard speak first. This recognition reinforces our commitment to crafting expressive Finger Lakes Riesling with depth and energy.
Great Riesling should feel vibrant. It should pair easily with food. It should also shine on its own. Our Finger Lakes Riesling delivers on all three.
If you haven’t tasted it yet, now is the time. Experience the Finger Lakes Riesling that earned attention from one of the world’s most trusted voices in wine.
Published on November 13, 2025
The Red Tail Ridge James Suckling Report highlights our Cabernet Franc in James Suckling’s Finger Lakes tasting feature, “Fresh and Franc: Finger Lakes’ Post-Riesling Rise.” The report captures a pivotal moment for the region as it gains recognition for cool-climate red wines alongside its world-class Riesling.
In the report, James Suckling’s tasting team places a strong emphasis on cabernet franc. The variety thrives in a cool climate. It reflects site and vintage clearly. Most importantly, it delivers freshness, balance, and restraint.
During the tastings, Red Tail Ridge’s Cabernet Franc Seneca Lake RTR Estate Vineyard captured attention. The wine showed vibrancy and precision. It also expressed a clear sense of place. That recognition speaks directly to our estate vineyard and our hands-on approach in the cellar.
At the same time, the report makes something else clear. The Finger Lakes no longer tells a one-grape story. Instead, it continues to evolve.
Across the region, winemakers now focus on thoughtful farming. They make intentional varietal choices. They emphasize balance over excess. Consequently, the Finger Lakes continues to earn respect on the world stage.
At Red Tail Ridge, we share that vision. We farm with purpose. We work closely with our vineyards. Then, we let the wines speak for themselves. Whether through cabernet franc, riesling, or other cool-climate varieties, our goal remains the same: honest expression of Seneca Lake.
Finally, we invite you to experience these wines firsthand. Visit our tasting room overlooking Seneca Lake. Or, explore our current releases online.
For more insight into the region’s evolution, you can read the complete James Suckling article here:
Fresh and Franc: Finger Lakes’ Post-Riesling Rise.
Being featured by James Suckling marks an exciting milestone. More importantly, it reflects the direction of our region. The Finger Lakes continues to grow, evolve, and impress—and we’re proud to be part of that story.
Published on January 12, 2026
The piece situates Red Tail Ridge Winery’s 2023 Blaufränkisch in the context of the Finger Lakes’ continued exploration of cool-climate red varieties.