United States

Innovators in the Finger Lakes

Founded by David and Debra Whiting, a married couple who started the business in 1998 on the east side of Seneca Lake in Finger Lakes, New York. Since its inception, they have amassed a long list of accolades for the quality of their wines from Food & Wine, Wine Spectator, James Suckling and Nations Restaurant News, among others. The shale soils, steep hills and cool continental climate influenced by the very deep Seneca Lake create ideal conditions for growing crisp, aromatic and rich grape varieties such as Riesling. Red Newt Cellars is a bit of a Riesling specialist and produces several different styles, dry, semi-dry and sweet wines from different soils. In 2014 David handed over the main winemaking responsibility to Kelby Russell. Kelby produces wines that highlight the identity of each individual vineyard, something he inherited from David who has been producing wines with a focus on the area for many years. Spontaneous fermentation, skin contact and as natural methods as possible are the recipe for success.