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.
Join us for The Magic of the Mosel, a special Finger Lakes Riesling dinner that celebrates one of the world’s most exciting wine grapes. Red Tail Ridge Winery, FLXcursion, and Chef Matt Hummel have come together to create an unforgettable evening of food, wine, and discovery.
The Finger Lakes has become one of the leading Riesling regions in the United States. At this Finger Lakes Riesling dinner, you’ll taste wines that showcase the grape’s freshness, balance, and complexity.
In addition, you’ll explore Rieslings from Germany’s famous Mosel Valley. By tasting wines from both regions, you’ll discover how climate, soil, and winemaking influence flavor and style.
Throughout the evening, Chef Matt Hummel will serve a carefully crafted multi-course menu. Each dish will highlight the unique qualities of the wines and create memorable food and wine pairings.
Riesling offers an incredible range of flavors and styles. Some wines show bright citrus and green apple notes. Others reveal stone fruit, floral aromas, and rich mineral character.
Because of its natural acidity, Riesling pairs beautifully with many foods. Therefore, it remains one of the most food-friendly wines in the world.
During this Finger Lakes Riesling dinner, you’ll experience several expressions of the grape. As a result, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for its versatility and elegance.
The Mosel Valley has produced exceptional Riesling for centuries. Its steep vineyard slopes and cool climate help create wines with remarkable character and balance.
To learn more about German Riesling, visit https://www.germanwines.de. You can also explore the Finger Lakes wine region at https://www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com.
Whether you’re a dedicated wine enthusiast or simply curious about Riesling, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn, taste, and connect. Most importantly, you’ll enjoy an evening filled with exceptional wines, delicious cuisine, and great company.
Please contact us before purchasing tickets if you have dietary restrictions. We can often accommodate special requests. However, we recommend confirming availability before making your reservation.
Space is limited. Therefore, we encourage guests to reserve early. We look forward to welcoming you to this unforgettable Finger Lakes Riesling dinner experience.
Summer in the Finger Lakes is one of the most beautiful times of the year, and we invite our Wine Club members to gather with us for a relaxing afternoon at Red Tail Ridge Winery. Surrounded by vibrant vineyards, colorful wildflowers, and sweeping lake views, this special event is designed to celebrate the season and the community that makes our wine club so special.
The Pavilion and lawn will be open for guests to enjoy the sights and sounds of summer. From the pollinator field bursting with blooms to the rolling vines stretching across the landscape, there is no better place to spend a summer afternoon in wine country.
Guests will enjoy a delicious menu of locally sourced summer favorites prepared by Matt Hummel, showcasing the fresh flavors of the Finger Lakes region. As you relax with friends and fellow members, you’ll also receive a glass of your favorite Red Tail Ridge wine to enjoy with your meal. Learn more about the Finger Lakes region at https://www.fingerlakes.org.
Whether you choose a seat in the Pavilion or spread out on the lawn, this gathering offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and enjoy the beauty of the winery during peak summer season. We encourage guests to bring a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable outdoor attire for the afternoon.
Nest Club members can also take advantage of the event to pick up their June wine package, which will be available throughout the weekend. If you’ve been looking for an easy and enjoyable time to collect your wines, this is the perfect opportunity.
We look forward to welcoming our members for great food, exceptional wine, and unforgettable Finger Lakes scenery. This annual gathering is one of our favorite member traditions and a wonderful way to celebrate summer together.
Who: Red Tail Ridge Wine Club Members
Location: Red Tail Ridge Winery
Includes:
Please remember to bring a hat and sunglasses for outdoor enjoyment.
An unforgettable hands-on sparkling wine experience is returning to Red Tail Ridge Winery for our Wine Club Members only.
Join Nancy and the winemaking team for a two-part journey where you’ll create your very own Magnum of Perpétuelle Change Cuvée No. 6 from tirage to disgorgement. Along the way, enjoy thoughtfully paired nibbles from Matt Hummeland an inside look at the sparkling winemaking process.
📅 June 7, 2026
📅 November 21, 2026
🕚 Two seatings available: 11:30 AM & 2:30 PM
🍷 Wine Club Members Only
⚠️ Very limited availability
This immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to work alongside our production team and take home a bottle that’s truly your own, equal parts craftsmanship, celebration, and cellar magic.
Reserve your seats early before this experience fills up.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day Weekend at Red Tail Ridge Winery with an unforgettable caviar and sparkling wine experience. Join us as we welcome our new Chef Partner, Matt Hummel, and enjoy a thoughtfully crafted menu that places caviar service front and center.
Chef Matt Hummel designed this experience to invite exploration and indulgence. Your reservation includes a curated caviar and sparkling wine pairing, and when you arrive, you’ll select the caviar that best matches your taste. From there, your flavor journey expands with an optional menu of chef-driven accompaniments available for purchase.
Enhance your caviar experience with creative pairings such as totones and Chef Matt’s Red Tail Ridge–inspired fried chicken. Guests may also order additional caviar throughout the experience. Vegetarian guests can enjoy a delicious caviar alternative, thoughtfully prepared to deliver richness and depth without fish roe.
Paddlefish Caviar – $62*
Earthy and nutty with buttery richness and a silky finish. Harvested from wild-caught freshwater spoonbill from the Mississippi River.
Polish Osetra Caviar – $72*
Clean and refined with gentle salinity, toasted grain notes, and a creamy texture. Harvested from farm-raised Russian sturgeon in Poland.
Mountain Caviar (Vegetarian) – $36*
Crafted from Japanese cypress seeds with a mild, nutty profile and artichoke-like savor.
Each caviar service includes:
Chive crème fraîche
House-made Kennebec potato chips (potatoes sourced from Silver Queen Farms)
Bugles
One glass per person of Red Tail Ridge Method Champenoise sparkling wine
Together, these pairings showcase the balance of tradition and innovation that defines Red Tail Ridge Winery and Nancy Irelan’s winemaking philosophy.
* For single-guest reservations, we adjust pricing after purchase to remove the second glass of wine.
Raw Oysters Maine Oysters, marinated apple and kohlrabi
* mignonette available on the side
Potato Milk Buns Milk bun, egg yolk jam, cultured butter
Buckwheat Hoe Cakes Empire Syrups sorghum syrups
Sunchoke Tostones Poached, smashed, and pan fried sunchokes, lemon
Fried Chicken Buttermilk-brined chicken thighs, bugles coating
Fromage Blanc Ice Cream Cone Remembrance farms fromage blanc, buckwheat waffle cone
Celebrate a new chapter at Red Tail Ridge Winery with an elevated Valentine’s Day weekend experience designed to delight wine lovers and food enthusiasts alike.
📅 Reservations are limited
🍽️ Please share any dietary needs at the time of booking.
Reserve your spot and celebrate Valentine’s Day Weekend with us!