Ria's Wines, Sunny Side Red Finger Lakes 2024

75% Merlot, 12.5% Cabernet Franc, 12.5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Finger Lakes, New York, USA

Ria's Sunny Side Red come from the original plantings on their estate vineyard from the early 1980's. The 3 contiguous blocks are in the middle part of our gently sloping vineyard, which rises 600-800 feet above Seneca Lake and is surrounded by Finger Lakes National Forest. The vines are farmed with regenerative practices with a goal of taking care of the rich biodiversity. The vines are pruned by hand, and the grapes are hand harvested. Harvest of these three varieties occurred throughout September and October. Grapes were destemmed and fermented, utilizing gentle techniques with a pied de cuve and foot treading. Aging took place in neutral French oak for 10 months, followed by two months of blending before bottling. 12 months in neutral, French oak. VEGAN.

Ria's Wines is a testament to the passion and dedication of its founders, Ria D’Aversa and Mike Penn, who with two children and a mutual adventurous spirit, moved from Sonoma CA to the Finger Lakes in 2021 in search of the best terroir in New York for growing wine grapes. Ria’s Wines was established in 2022 and is located on the banks of Seneca Lake where their estate vineyard is planted to vines that are up to forty years old with varieties like Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Lemberger, Chardonnay, Cayuga and Baco Noir.  Their focus is nurtured by a deep appreciation for cool climate farming to create site-driven wines that are naturally produced, ecologically farmed and crafted on site at their winery.