Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling 2020

Tasting Notes
"Our signature Riesling is vibrant and aromatic, featuring the distinctive minerality that has become our trademark. Fragrant essence of spring blossoms sets the stage for a succulent palate of early fruit, balanced with a refreshing crispness, revealing the true qualities of the Riesling grape. A brilliant texture carries into a lingering finish, in a wine that accommodates a wide range of food. " ~ Winery notes

The Wine
The signature Riesling from Wiemer is a vibrant, aromatic wine, featuring a distinctive mineral quality that has become the winerys trademark. Exceptional grapes are chosen from each of the three vineyard locations, 65 HJW Vineyard, 23 Josef Vineyard, and 12 Magdalena Vineyard, and then fermented in small lots and blended to ensure texture and balance. This wine is crafted to serve as an emblem of the standard of quality that has become tradition at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard. The wine is harvested at a Sptlese level of ripeness and then whole cluster pressed, cold fermented for 3+ months until dry, unfined and unfiltered, and finishes with a 0.9 RS and 12 ABV.

VARIETAL COMPOSITION:100 Riesling

ESTATE VINEYARDS:65 HJW, 23 Josef, 12 Magdalena

ALCOHOL BY VOLUME:12.00

RESIDUAL SUGAR:0.9

VINIFICATION:Cold fermentation 3+ months, Estate grown & bottled, No fining or filtering agents, Whole Cluster Press, Cold fermentation 3+ months, Estate grown & bottled, No fining or filtering agents, Whole Cluster Press

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.