Wines

New York is most famous for Riesling, but expect to be impressed with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Let's see the list of wines made in New York.

New York has been producing wine for over 300 years, but only in the last 60 years has it stepped onto the world stage. Why? Vitis vinifera.

Vitis vinifera is the scientific name for the species that encompasses all the grape varieties you know and love, such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, etc.

However, New York’s climate and prevalence of vineyard diseases, such as phylloxera, meant it was nearly impossible to cultivate this vine species until the 1960s.

Hybrids

By luck, a crossing of the European vine (Vitis vinifera) with a native vine (Vitis labrusca) led to a hybrid type of vine. These vines have the concentration and intensity of flavor that European grapevines are known for, with the disease and cold resistance of the native vines.

These make up 10% of the total plantings in New York and some varieties from this group are Vidal, Baco Noir, and Seyval Blanc.

Riesling

Riesling is the flagship variety of New York, thanks to its winter hardy nature and its ability to produce exquisite, age-worthy wines that range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet.

Riesling's ability to hang on the vine gives winemakers a range of choices in flavors, like lemon zest, lime, apricot, pineapple, and even honey. If they wait long enough and the conditions are right, you can even find Ice Wine here. You'll mostly find Riesling in the Finger Lakes.

Riesling's high levels of racy and tangy acidity also allow this noble variety to age for decades, producing petrol and kerosene aromas, which are sought after by many a wine geek.

Chardonnay

California is famous for bold, buttery Chardonnay, New York is the exact opposite - lean, mineral, and lithe styles.

Expect zesty, citrus fruit and green apple flavors that are occasionally supported with subtle nuttiness from oak aging. Keep your eyes peeled for sparkling wines with Chardonnay akin to Champagne.

Cabernet Franc

On the spectrum of Cabernet Franc, New York sits between two worlds. It has a rich ripeness of fruit expressed with ripe cherry and raspberry flavors. However, it also has savory notes of pepper and earth with vibrant acidity and firm tannins.

Look into the Finger Lakes and Hudson River Region for great food-friendly red examples. If you're looking for rosé Cabernet Franc, Long Island is worth investigating.

Merlot

With a mixture of ripe strawberry and raspberry aromas and a subtle menthol and savory flavor, Merlot makes its home mostly on Long Island, which has the warmest growing conditions of the state.

Often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, look out for the word "Meritage" (pronounced like "heritage") on the label to find this type of blend.

New York Wine Facts
  • The most planted wine grape (Vitis vinifera species) is Riesling (about 1000 acres or 405 ha).
  • The second most planted wine grape is Chardonnay (850 acres or 344 ha).
  • Merlot is the third most planted wine variety at 800 acres (324 ha).
  • Cabernet Franc is the fourth most planted wine variety at 500 acres (202 ha).
  • New York also specializes in cold climate wine varieties (non-vitis vinifera) which make up 10% of the total vineyard area.

Explore the wines of New York directly from the producers.
Most Popular
140 Wines56 Wineries

Riesling

79 Wines55 Wineries

Cabernet Franc

67 Wines46 Wineries

Chardonnay

63 Wines37 Wineries

Red Blend

54 Wines18 Wineries

Sweet

47 Wines33 Wineries

Merlot

More Rare
43 Wines26 Wineries

White Blend

39 Wines28 Wineries

Pinot Noir

32 Wines20 Wineries

Sparkling

30 Wines26 Wineries

Sauvignon Blanc

27 Wines17 Wineries

Brut

27 Wines22 Wineries

Gewürztraminer

26 Wines13 Wineries

Dry

23 Wines17 Wineries

Cabernet Sauvignon

19 Wines17 Wineries

Pinot Gris

18 Wines12 Wineries

Blaufrankisch

16 Wines13 Wineries

Fortified

12 Wines12 Wineries

Gruner Veltliner

9 Wines8 Wineries

Cabernet Franc Blend

9 Wines9 Wineries

Traminette

7 Wines4 Wineries

Brut Nature

7 Wines5 Wineries

Saperavi

7 Wines6 Wineries

Syrah

6 Wines5 Wineries

Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

6 Wines6 Wineries

Petit Verdot

6 Wines5 Wineries

Marquette

5 Wines5 Wineries

Concord

5 Wines5 Wineries

Extra Brut

5 Wines5 Wineries

Extra Dry

5 Wines5 Wineries

Merlot Blend

5 Wines4 Wineries

Marechal Foch

4 Wines4 Wineries

Albariño

4 Wines3 Wineries

Cayuga White

4 Wines4 Wineries

Baco Noir

4 Wines4 Wineries

Vidal Blanc

4 Wines4 Wineries

Niagara

4 Wines4 Wineries

Viognier

3 Wines3 Wineries

Blaufrankisch Blend

3 Wines3 Wineries

Riesling Blend

3 Wines2 Wineries

De Chaunac Blend

3 Wines3 Wineries

Pinot Noir Blend

3 Wines3 Wineries

Gamay

3 Wines3 Wineries

Pinot Blanc

3 Wines3 Wineries

Noiret

3 Wines3 Wineries

Vignoles

3 Wines1 Wineries

Seyval Blanc Blend

3 Wines3 Wineries

Seyval Blanc

2 Wines2 Wineries

Shiraz

2 Wines1 Wineries

Rkatsiteli

2 Wines2 Wineries

Chambourcin

2 Wines2 Wineries

Gruner Veltliner Blend

2 Wines2 Wineries

Chardonnay Blend

2 Wines2 Wineries

De Chaunac

2 Wines2 Wineries

Malbec

2 Wines2 Wineries

Catawba

2 Wines2 Wineries

Pinot Grigio

2 Wines2 Wineries

Seyval

1 Wines1 Wineries

Valvin Muscat

1 Wines1 Wineries

Frontenac Blanc

1 Wines1 Wineries

Low Alcohol

1 Wines1 Wineries

Vidal Blanc Blend

1 Wines1 Wineries

Chenin Blanc

1 Wines1 Wineries

Viognier Blend

1 Wines1 Wineries

Edelweiss

1 Wines1 Wineries

Moore's Diamond

1 Wines1 Wineries

Teroldego Blend

1 Wines1 Wineries

Vidal

1 Wines1 Wineries

Chancellor

1 Wines1 Wineries

Frontenac

1 Wines1 Wineries

Frontenac Gris

1 Wines1 Wineries

Ives

1 Wines1 Wineries

La Crescent

1 Wines1 Wineries

Demi-Sec

1 Wines1 Wineries

Lemberger

1 Wines1 Wineries

Grenache

1 Wines1 Wineries

Nero d'Avola

1 Wines1 Wineries

Melon de Bourgogne

1 Wines1 Wineries

Muscat Ottonel

1 Wines1 Wineries

Pinot Noir Précoce

1 Wines1 Wineries

Prairie Star

1 Wines1 Wineries

Sauvignon Blanc Blend

1 Wines1 Wineries

Noiret Blend

1 Wines1 Wineries

Ribolla Gialla

1 Wines1 Wineries

Sangiovese

1 Wines1 Wineries

Siegerrebe

1 Wines1 Wineries

St. Croix

1 Wines1 Wineries

Tannat

1 Wines1 Wineries

Teroldego

1 Wines1 Wineries

Tocai Friulano

1 Wines1 Wineries

Cayuga White Blend

1 Wines1 Wineries

Verdejo

1 Wines1 Wineries

Tocai Friulano Blend

1 Wines1 Wineries

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