Red Newt Wine Cellars has been going since 1998 where they planted every vine they could get their hands on; Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal, Cayuga, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Over time they have found that their strengths and set their sights towards producing only fantastic Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Gewurztraminer. The owners, Debra and David Whiting, who are claimed to be “untramelled wine lovers of the Finger Lakes scene” by Wine Spectator. Known for their Single Vineyard and new Winemaker’s Series producing very concentrated and textural wines suited to all palates.

David Whiting, the original winemaker, is known as one of the most technical and leading winemakers in the region. He now shares the job with Kelby James Russell who is one of the youngest winemakers in the region who found that the wine-life was for him. After completing a degree in economics at Harvard he decided to come back to his native Ithaca were he started to learn winemaking. He has worked in both hemispheres, New Zealand included, and has found his home with Red Newt Wine Cellars were he has been based since 2009.

Check out their website