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TASTING NOTES

Rkatsiteli is an aromatic adventure. The nose is pronounced and layered: tropical fruit, ripe pear, stone fruit, citrus zest with a subtle but intriguing peppery edge that surprises many first-time drinkers. On the palate, lively acidity balances its touch of residual sugar, creating a wine that feels both vibrant and refreshing.
If this is your first time with Rkatsiteli, think of it as a meeting point between Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc: aromatic, energetic, and food-friendly. Serve well chilled and allow it a moment in the glass to reveal its complexity.

VINEYARD NOTES

Naturally high in acidity, cold-hardy, and resistant to disease due to its thick skins, Rkatsiteli is uniquely suited to our cool-climate sites. It is typically one of the last white grapes harvested each season, holding freshness deep into autumn.

Konstantin valued Rkatsiteli so highly that he interplanted it among Riesling and even blended it to bring vibrancy and lift. In the 1980s and 1990s, customers would travel long distances specifically for this wine — a cult favorite long before Georgian varieties became fashionable.

Today, Rkatsiteli remains a cornerstone of our pioneering spirit. Expanded plantings on our Keuka Lake estate and new acreage on Seneca Lake reflect our continued belief in this historic grape. Once a tasting room secret, it is now enjoyed across the United States and in select export markets, a testament to both its resilience and its relevance.

WINEMAKER NOTES

The wine was fermented entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve its freshness, aromatics, and lively character. Stainless steel allows us to capture the purest expression of the fruit: bright, clean, and expressive.

Because Rkatsiteli naturally contains both tropical thiols (like Sauvignon Blanc) and orchard and stone fruit notes (like Riesling), our winemaking approach borrows techniques from both varieties. Cool fermentation temperatures help retain those lifted aromatics and enhance the grape’s fruity personality. In 2025, we refined our yeast selection to highlight more tropical and citrus tones while minimizing vegetal notes. The result is a more exuberant and polished expression bursting with mango, pineapple, ripe pear, and stone fruit.

With the rare luxury of choosing optimal picking times, we believe the 2024 wines will be nothing short of exceptional, showcasing remarkable ripeness, structure, and depth.

VARIETY

100% Rkatsiteli.

VINEYARD

77% Keuka Estate, 23% Seneca Estate. New York Sustainable Winegrowing Certified.

VINIFICATION

De-Stemmed. Direct Press.

VESSEL

Stainless Steel. Temperature Controlled.

FERMENTATION

Traditional. No Malolactic Fermentation.

ÉLEVAGE

Unoaked.

ACCOLADES