We're in a New York State of Mind

Wine friends,

We've said it before and we'll say it again – great wine is made right in our very own backyard of Upstate New York. Although there are a plethora of talented winemakers and tasty bottles to discover, this week, we're honing in on two of our go-two picks for drinking local.

First up, we’ve got a skin-fermented Riesling from Bloomer Creek. Forget any preconceived notions you may have about this polarizing grape variety – Bloomer Creek's macerated expression is truly like no other Riesling we've had before. Expect flavors of yellow apple, tangerine, and wet stones to leave to a citrusy, acid-driven finish. The wine comes from organically-farmed (practicing) fruit on the east side of Seneca Lake.

Next up, we’ve got an earthy, varietal Cabernet Franc produced from local legend, Nathan Kendall. Nathan founded his eponymous estate back in 2011, and over the past decade, has become one of the biggest pioneers of low-intervention winemaking in the Finger Lakes. Expect flavors of raspberry, cedar, and a touch of bell pepper. If you generally tend to reach for Old World Cab Francs, this New World expression is definitely worth seeking out (and promises to give your Old World favorites a run for their money!)