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.
The Unusual Pairings Wine Event at Red Tail Ridge Winery invites Wine Club Members to experience an evening where food and wine take unexpected turns. Chef Matt Hummel has created four inventive dishes designed to highlight one of our wines, but the pairings remain a surprise until you taste them together.
This exclusive Finger Lakes wine and food experience is designed for curious palates, adventurous wine lovers, and guests who enjoy discovering how flavor, texture, and aroma can completely transform a tasting experience.
Guests attending the Unusual Pairings Wine Event will enjoy:
Each dish was thoughtfully crafted to interact with the wine in surprising ways. Some pairings may amplify fruit notes, while others highlight acidity, texture, or structure. The experience is equal parts culinary exploration and wine education, wrapped into one unforgettable tasting.
📅 May 23, 2026
💲 $35 per guest
🍷 Wine Club Members Only
Unfortunately, dietary restrictions cannot be accommodated for this experience. Please contact the winery with any questions or concerns prior to booking.
Menu may change based on ingredient availability.
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 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