Red Newt Cellars is located on the east side of Seneca Lake in the hamlet of Hector in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Red Newt Cellars was founded in 1998 by David and Debra Whiting. Wine production was started with the 1998 vintage with a mere 1,200 cases of Chardonnay, Riesling, Vidal, Cayuga, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The first white wines were released at the grand opening of the winery and restaurant in July of 1999.
Debra and David have received recognition from local and regional press as well as from national publications such as Food and Wine, Nations Restaurant News, and Wine Spectator. Recently, Red Newt Cellars has been named among Wine & Spirits Magazine’s 2011 Top 100 wineries of the year. The Wine Spectator describes David and Debra as “untrammeled lovers of the Finger Lakes scene,” and it couldn’t be more true. David and Debra Whiting met in the late 1980s. At that time David was working as cellar master at a Finger Lakes winery while Debra was supervising microbiology labs at Cornell University. Following a passion for food and wine, David continued his oenological career as winemaker at three different wineries in the Finger Lakes. Debra’s path led her into a gourmet cheesecake business and then an upscale catering business. When the opportunity arose in 1998, David started wine production with the 1998 vintage and the following summer Debra opened the Red Newt Bistro concurrent with the first wine releases in June of 1999. Red Newt Cellars represented the achievement of David and Debra’s longtime goal to combine their efforts and expertise in the exploration of regional wine and cuisine. Their focus was on not only producing exceptional wines and food, but also creating a synergy between them.
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New York » Seneca Lake
"The Blue Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale) is an occasional visitor to the Finger Lakes. Just as seeing one of these beautiful creatures is a treat,
8eNew York » Seneca Lake
Wine Advocate 91 The 2016 Dry Riesling was sourced from Lahoma Vineyard on Seneca Lake. It comes in with just three grams per liter of residual
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Wine Advocate 89 “The 2017 Circle Riesling is a blend of vineyards (Tango Oaks and Lahoma) coming in at 31 grams per liter of residual sugar
8eNew York » Seneca Lake
James Suckling 95 “Freshly poured the nose of grapefruit and smoke is rather like that of Red Newt's regular dry riesling of this vintage. Yet then
Wine Enthusiast 90 TOP 100 BEST BUYS OF 2015 #33 "Lithe and dancing in texture, yet robustly concentrated with yellow peach and cherry flavors, Red Newt's Circle
"A semi-dry, exquisitely fruity blend of Vidal Blanc and Cayuga White. Perfectly balanced to accompany a wide variety of foods and please most any palate.
Winery Notes This Riesling is dry, firm, and complex with tangerine, apricot and citrus overtones. Crisp, supple and aromatic, this wine is a classically structured Finger
"Dry with delicate aromas of apple followed by lean citrus flavors and a crisp finish with hints of lemon peel." ~Winery Notes
"Cabernet Franc is an up and coming red variety for the Finger Lakes. Cranberry and raspberry characters with overtones of smoke and spice make an
Winery Notes This Cabernet Sauvignon displays forward berry fruit and subtle aromas of smoke and pepper. Barrel aging lends complexities of oak. Double Gold Medal: 2003
Winery Notes Gewerztraminer is a variety of grape that produces a wine with exquisite spice and complexity. Delicate floral aromas combined with flavors of ripe watermelon
Wine Spectator 87 "Tight and light-bodied at first, but fresh, with nervy lime and mineral notes that leave a mouthwatering feel, while opening up to show
Wine Advocate 93 "The 2012 Riesling "Sawmill Creek Vineyards - Fred Block" is a younger vines Riesling (at 20 years, that's relative as compared to 35
" The Red Newt Cellars Cabernet Franc is a pretty, gentle, well balanced Cabernet Franc with clear and attractive flavors. Not intense, it shows
Wine Enthusiast 92 A graceful wine, this plays the line between savory and fruity, the biscuity, leesy scent gathering into an uplifting pineapple brightness. The flavors
Wine Enthusiast 90 Grapefruit, peach and melon notes cannonball from nose to palate of this bright, intensely fruity wine. Zesty lemon-lime acidity keeps it vivacious
Wine Advocate 90 "The 2014 Dry Riesling has 6 grams per liter of residual sugar and 11.8% alcohol. Classic, transparent and fresh, this opens tight
Wine Advocate 91 "The 2013 Riesling "Tango Oaks Vineyard" is at least as good as the 2012–and maybe better. It seems fresher and livelier, for
Notes "Circle Riesling is meant to be a quintessential example of Finger Lakes Riesling; a touch of residual sugar to bring out the rich orchard fruit
Wine Enthusiast 90 Best Buy " Delicately sweet, exquisitely fruity, exceptionally delicious. Riesling." "Circle" Riesling shows forward fruit of tangerine and apricot with overtones of citrus and
James Suckling 93 "An extraordinarily expressive and exciting wine for this "regular" category with explosive grapefruit, orange and smoke aromas. Serious concentration and a citrusy acidity
