New York | Finger Lakes | Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Location

Address: 14630 NY-54, Hammondsport, NY 14840

Phone: (607) 292-7007

Website: www.ravineswine.com

Email: info@ravineswine.com

State: New York Wineries

Wine Region: Finger Lakes Wineries

American Viticultural Area: Finger Lakes AVA

Wine Trail: Keuka Lake Wine Trail

About Ravines Wine Cellars

Ravines Wine Cellars stands out as one of the best Finger Lakes wineries, and rightfully so. Renowned as trailblazers for introducing the dry Riesling style that characterizes the Finger Lakes today, they have solidified their reputation. Additionally, they are celebrated for their exceptional Burgundian-style Pinot Noir and red blends. With two tasting rooms, visitors can experience Ravines Wine Cellars in two settings. The original Keuka Tasting Room offers wonderful views of Keuka Lake from its inviting patio, while the second tasting room is housed within a historic barn at their White Springs Vineyard in Geneva, adjacent to Seneca Lake. The Geneva location also has elevated experiences with food pairings and barrel room tastings. Due to their popularity, reservations for tastings at both locations are highly recommended to ensure an enjoyable visit.

Ravines Wine Cellars, founded by Morten Hallgren and his wife Lisa, played a pivotal role in revolutionizing winemaking styles in the Finger Lakes during the early 2000s. While Riesling was gaining popularity in the region, it was predominantly produced in sweeter styles, not reflecting the potential for dry wines. Morten and Lisa sought to change this, introducing a new era of dry, mineral-driven wines to the Finger Lakes.

Morten's upbringing in the Provence region of France, where his family owned and operated Domaine de Castel Roubine, instilled in him a deep understanding of viticulture and traditional winemaking techniques. After studying Enology and Viticulture at a prestigious institution in Montpellier, Morten gained experience at wineries worldwide, including Chateau Cos d’Estournel in Bordeaux and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.

In 1998, Morten joined Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, where he recognized the potential for crafting dry wines in the Finger Lakes. This led him to acquire a 17-acre parcel of land on the eastern slopes of Keuka Lake in 2001, laying the foundation for Ravines Wine Cellars. Morten sourced grapes from top vineyards, including Argetsinger and 16 Falls Vineyard, for their inaugural vintage, which included Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and a Meritage red blend.

The recognition came swiftly when their Dry Riesling won the Best Dry Riesling in the World Riesling Cup in 2003. In 2006, Morten left Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery to focus solely on crafting wines for Ravines. By 2010, production had shifted to White Springs Winery, where Morten also served as the winemaker. Two years later, they acquired White Springs Winery, expanding their vineyard holdings to 130 acres.

Argetsinger Vineyard (owned by Beren Argetsinger): Located on the southeastern shores of Seneca Lake, this steep-sloped vineyard features mineral-rich limestone soil, imparting lean fruit profiles and focused minerality to the grapes. Exclusive sourcing for Ravines Sparkling wines, Le Petit Caporal, Dry Riesling, Argetsinger Vineyard, and Dry Pinot Rosé.
16 Falls Vineyard: Located in Ovid on the eastern side of Seneca Lake, at its deepest point, this 46-acre estate vineyard has acidic shalestone soil with clay content. Utilizes a lyre trellis system for enhanced sunlight absorption, resulting in greater ripeness and high-quality grapes.
White Springs Vineyard: Located in Geneva, this vineyard features Honeoye loam over limestone soil. With significant slope and perfect eastern exposure, it produces ripe, pristine grapes known for their complexity and nuances.

Today, Ravines has two tasting rooms—the original vineyard and tasting room Keuka Lake and a rustic restored barn at the prior White Springs Winery on Seneca Lake. Morten and Lisa's dedication to quality winemaking has firmly established Ravines Wine Cellars as one of the primer wineries in the Finger Lakes region.

Wine to Try: Try their different Dry Rieslings side by side to compare the different vineyard sites

Grapes and Wine Styles:

White Wines: Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc
Red Wines: Pinot Noir, Blaufränkisch (Lemburger), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Hybrid Wines: Valvin Muscat
Other Styles: Rosé, Sparkling