Ravines Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes, NY with Proprietress Lisa Hallgren Part 1

“Ravines Wine Cellars in Finger Lakes (Geneva and Hammondsport) is a flourishing partnership steeped in food and wine.  Both locations have Tasting Rooms. Winemaker Morten Hallgren grew up on a winery, Domaine de Castel Roubine, surrounded by estate vineyards in the Cotes de Provence wine region of France. He arrived in the Finger Lakes with an Enology and Viticulture degree from one of Europe’s finest schools and experience at many different wineries including Cos d’Estournel in Bordeaux.” “Working as head winemaker for a legacy FLX winery (Dr. Konstantin Frank) for 6 years, he worked with grapes from vineyards throughout the Finger Lakes. He wondered why no one in the FLX was producing dry Riesling.  Even the Rieslings labeled “dry” were actually pretty sweet. In his mind, the most interesting inherent characteristics were masked behind high sugar, super-fruity wines.  He identified two unique and expressive sites: the Argetsinger Vineyard and 16 Falls, purchased grapes and began producing a new style of Finger Lakes mineral driven wines in a rented barn on Keuka Lake.”“Ravines’ first vintage in 2002 was exclusively dry, vinifera wines.  The Riesling took the Best Dry Riesling medal at the World Riesling Cup. Then came the Wine Spectator Top 100, the first non-dessert Finger Lakes wine to get onto the prestigious list and then named twice more in the next few years.” “In 2011 Ravines purchased the historic White Springs Farm (circa 1801) where gentleman Farmer and Cornell agriculturist Carl Fribolin, had built a winery and planted vineyards in 2003.”“After purchasing the initial Keuka parcel on the two ravines in 2000, with the plan to make wine in the next vintage, Morten knew the top two sites where he already had experience working with the grapes and set out to purchase from those two sites for Ravines upcoming first vintage. Those are the Argetsinger and 16 Falls Vineyard on the eastern edge of Seneca Lake that have been a part of every vintage of Ravines wine through to this day. The Hallgrens rented a barn down the street from where they lived, and with the purchased grapes, Morten produced the first vintage, making wines from the classic varietals of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir and a Meritage red “Bordeaux-blend”.”“Morten left his job at Dr. Frank in 2005 and only made wines for Ravines thereafter. In 2010 Morten moved production operations to White Springs Winery in Geneva, near the northwestern end of Seneca Lake. By that time, the acreage being purchased from the Argetsinger and Sixteen Falls vineyards was up to 59 acres. Morten also became the winemaker for White Springs Winery, then owned by the philanthropist and gentleman farmer, Carl Fribolin.”“In 2012, Carl wanted the Hallgrens to take over his vineyards and so they purchased the White Springs winery and property, including 50 acres of vineyards and a turn-of-the-century slate barn that was soon remodeled. The renovation included adding a large tank room, creating a large barrel room, expanding the lab and adding more warehouse facilities. With a second tasting room open year-round, Lisa took the time to expand their dedicated group of attentive and knowledgeable tasting room staff.” “After replanting vines at their original Keuka vineyards, adding 10 acres of plantings to the White Springs Vineyards now called Limestone Springs and purchasing the entire 46 acres of the 16-Falls Vineyards, Ravines now possess 130 acres of estate vineyards. Ravines also work another 28 acres of vines from the famous Argetsinger Vineyard, owned and operated by the Argetsinger family, as well as an adjacent five acres at Two Gorges.” Proprietress Lisa Hallgren joins us to uncork all that is Ravines Wine Cellars.