Hermann was born to make wine. His mother's family had over 300 years of winemaking experience in the Mosel, and his father was responsible for restoring vines in that region after World War II. Hermann grew up learning to graft vines by hand with his father before attending prestigious German winemaking and viticultural institutions. When Hermann moved to New York he discovered that the western shore of Seneca Lake was quite similar to the cool climate and gravelly soils of the Mosel. Using his grafting skills, Wiemer planted one of the first successful vinifera vineyards on Seneca Lake in 1976. His dedication and attention to detail allowed the project to thrive, and Hermann J. Wiemer has become known as a premier domestic Riesling producer.
Since 2007, the winery has been run by Hermann's longtime apprentice Fred Merwarth and the agronomist Oskar Bynke. Fred works to further Hermann's vision by precise and thorough vineyard management and winemaking, while Oskar focuses on winery operations.
The wines of Hermann J. Wiemer are stunning, pure Rieslings that speak of Seneca Lake with more than a little reference to the Mosel. The grapes are grown in three distinct estate vineyards that take advantage of the various microclimates and aspects of the western shore of Seneca Lake. The original 1976 vineyard, HJW, is where the winery resides. The Josef and Magdalena vineyards are about 10 miles north and differ greatly in slope, soil, and vine age. From the Dry Riesling which blends the vineyards together to the single vineyard offerings, Hermann J. Wiemer deserves a place amongst the great wines of not only America but also the world.
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New York » Seneca Lake
The Wine "Our versatile, Kabinett-style Riesling is marked by a refined interplay of sweetness and freshness. Harvested in the heart of our season, this delicate, fruit-forward
8cNew York » Seneca Lake
The Wine Young-vine Grüner Veltliner sets the foundation for our Field White. Regional staples Riesling and Chardonnay fill its aromatic and fruit profile. With texture, length,
8dNew York » Seneca Lake
International Wine Review 91 " An astounding Riesling for the price, the Dry Riesling reveals expressive stone fruit on the nose. The flavors are dense and
Wine Advocate 94+ "The 2014 Riesling "HJW Vineyard" is one of the wines that actually pushes the price point in the Finger Lakes. That's because it
"The dry style Riesling is the signature of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard. Exceptional grapes from each of our three vineyard locations come together to create
The dry style Riesling is the signature of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard. With each vintage, we seek to match the appropriate level of fruit flavor
"An off-dry style allows this wine to be more versatile and often serves as a compromise wine for those trying to decide between different white
"Medium dry with a beautiful floral nose, full of peaches, apples and melons, and perfumed with rose petals. A light citrus touch to the taste
"Riesling, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Noir. Perfect balance of the best characteristics from each of the wines. Riesling and Gewurztraminer fruits are enhanced by an
" Frost Cuvee is specially crafted each year to best reflect the outcome of the growing season. A differing blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot
"An off-dry style allows this wine to be more versatile and often serves as a compromise wine for those trying to decide between different white
" Riesling is one of the few varietals that shows exceptionally well in all ranges of sweetness. The Semi-Dry Riesling pairs an appropriate balance of
Wine Advocate 89 "The 2014 Riesling Semi-Dry is, said the winemaker, Wiemer's version of a Kabinett. It still seems largely dry-ish, if not exactly dry. This
Wine Advocate 90 "The 2014 Dry Riesling is a blend of three vineyards. Dry, but not austere and just a touch fruity, this is round and
Frost Cuvee is specially crafted each year to best reflect the outcome of the growing season. A differing blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Wine Advocate 94 "The 2014 Dry Riesling Reserve is, according to winemaker Fred Merwath, about 90% Auslese level in ripeness. It is a luscious Riesling that
James Suckling 92 "An extraordinary "regular" quality dry riesling brimming with lemon, lime-pie, passion-fruit and pineapple aromas. The medium to full body is lifted by refreshing
" Our versatile, Kabinett-style Riesling is marked by a refined interplay of sweetness and freshness. Harvested in the heart of our season, this delicate, fruit-forward
James Suckling 93 "This is a very rich dry Riesling for the Finger Lakes with ripe apricot and floral honey notes that leap out of the
Wine Advocate 89 "The 2016 Riesling Semi-Dry comes in with 19 grams per liter of residual sugar and 11.5% alcohol. Those 19 grams are not a
Wine & Spirits 93 "This feels both complete and composed in its array of flavors and aromas—a whiff of white peach, a hint of saffron, a
James Suckling 94 "As usual, the dry Riesling from the HJW vineyard is more closed and less effusive than its sibling from the Magdalena site, but
Wine & Spirits 94 "This wine draws from all three of Wiemer’s vineyards: Josef (50 percent of the blend), HJW (30 percent) and Magdalena. Each is
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