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.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
Celebrate Mom with a relaxed, flavor-filled afternoon overlooking the lake. Our Mother’s Day Experience is designed to feel special without feeling fussy—just great food, thoughtful wine pairings, and time well spent together.
This year’s menu brings a touch of Latin-inspired flair, paired with our classic Red Tail Ridge wines. Settle into the Main Tasting Room and take in the views, or, if the weather cooperates, enjoy service outdoors for an extra dose of spring.
Whether you’re toasting a mom, a grandmother, or someone who simply deserves a little extra appreciation, we’d love to host you.
Curious what’s being served? Take a peek at the full menu before your visit.
Please contact us in advance with any dietary restrictions so we can best accommodate your party.
Make this Mother’s Day one to remember with great wine, beautiful views, and even better company.
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.
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