redtailridgewinery....A Finger Lakes Premier Vineyard...by Philip S. Kampe

redtailridgewinwery (always in lower case) is a Finger Lakes winery located on Seneca Lake.

The 34 acre vineyard was purchased several years ago by Mike Schnelle and Nancy Irelan, a dynamic husband and wife team. Their wine philosophy is QUALITY over Quantity. They believe it is easier to keep production down so they can better monitor the wine making process.

To learn more about their philiosphy, go to www.redtailridgewinery.com

Both Mike and Nancy like to experiment with grapes. Presently, their 34 acres are divided into several plots, consisting of 3 acres of Pinot Noir clones, 2 acres of Chardonnay, 14 acres of Riesling and the rest of Teroldego and Dornfelder.

Recently, I had the chance to taste their wines and was pleasently surprised and somewhat shocked how drinkable and balanced all of the wines are. The Finger Lakes area was known for Riesling, but, after tasting the wines from redtailridgewinery,you may have to add Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to the list.

The five wines I sampled:

2008 BARREL-FERMENTED CHARDONNAY, ESTATE GROWN
+ Aged 10 months in 2-4 year old French and American Oak
+ Aroma of toasted almonds
+ Palate of peaches and pears
+ Long finish of vanilla and coffee
++ $16.99 a bottle
++587 cases produced


2008 CHARDONNAY, NUTT ROAD VINEYARD
+ Stainless steel
+ Palate of apple and pear
+ Soft finish
++ $10.99 a bottle
++ 449 cases produced


2008 ESTATE PINOT NOIR
+ Dark fruit aromas of raspberry, cherry and strawberries with caramel, butterscotch
+ Concentrated fruit on the palate with a hint of tobacco
+ Long,vanilla finish
++ $19.95 a bottle
++ 578 cases


2008 SEMI-DRY RIESLING,ESTATE GROWN
+ Stainless steel
+ Tropical aroma of pineapple, mango and banana
+ Citrus flavor of melon and pear
+ Crisp
+ Finish of grapefruit
++ $15.99 a bottle
++ 1,080 cases


2008 DRY RIESLING, ESTATE GROWN
+ Small-lot STAINLESS STEEL
+ Aromas of lime and orange
+ Palate of peach, lemon, apple and lime
+ Minerality
+ Finish of citrus
++ 89 points Wine Spectator
++ Silver medal 2010 San Francisco Chronicle International Wine Competition
++ $18.95 a bottle
++ 649 cases


redtailridgewinery is a unique Winery in the Finger Lakes region. With experimentation of grapes and a 'hands on attitude' plus a small batch production philosophy, I believe Mike Schnelle and Nancy Irelan will make a name for themselves in the Wine Industy.

LONG LIVE RedTailRidgeWinery!!

PHILIP S. KAMPE