A Wine Cinderella - Discover the Finger Lakes

Meet the award-winning Master of Wine winemaker.

Finger Lakes is the oldest and most attractive wine district of New York State, lying close to the border with Canada.  The name comes from the narrow, deep lakes that look like the fingers of a hand.  The unusual formation was carved by Ice Age glaciers which deposited shallow topsoil on shale beds above the lakes.

Vines were first introduced by Rev William Bostwick who planted Catawba and Isabella shoots from the Hudson River Valley in his rectory garden at Hammondsport on Keuka Lake in 1829.  Soon there were vines in most gardens in the district! Commercial production started 30 years later.  After the civil war, German and Swiss immigrants improved vineyard practices and started winning at international competitions in Brussels, Paris and Vienna.

The region received official status (known as AVA, standing for American Viticultural Area) in 1982.  Over 30 vine varieties are planted, only 15 per cent of which are vinifera.  Production is so small that few wines are exported.  This is the first time in the Club’s history we have held a tasting from the region.

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Nova Cadamatre, Master of Wine

The Club is honoured to welcome Nova Cadamatre, Master of Wine, and both owner / winemaker of Trestle Thirty One Winery.  This is a boutique winery close to Seneca Lake.  Seneca forms “the middle finger” of the 11 lakes.  The steep hillsides and lakes prevent cold air from settling on the vines, thereby discouraging frost.

Nova was the first female winemaker in the US to become a Master of Wine.  She has won numerous 90+ scores for the wines she has made both in California and New York.  Originally from South Carolina, Nova first studied horticulture.  After graduating from Cornell’s Viticulture and Enology programme, she relocated to California and worked for Beringer, Chateau St John, Chateau Souverain and Robert Mondavi Winery.

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Seneca Lafe NY

The name ‘Trestle’ comes from the large railroad trestle that is prominent from the top of the vineyard in Seneca Lake.  Tracts of land in New York State were originally arranged by number and 31 was the number found on the deed.  Seneca Lake is the largest and deepest lake (634ft) and became a separate AVA in 2003.

Two vintages of Chardonnay – 2023 and 2020 – open our tasting, both from hand-harvested grapes grown in the Nutt Road vineyards.  The grapes were gently destemmed and we can compare the different fermentation vessels: the 2023 was racked into medium-toast French oak barrels whilst the 2020 divided between the same and stainless steel barrels.  Each was aged sur lie with stirring bi-weekly. 

Nova says the long autumn made the 2023 vintage “a very classic style with bright acidity and cool climate fruit flavours” whilst the 2020 was “exceptionally concentrated... with a long beautiful season.”

Riesling grapes

Riesling is THE star variety for the Finger Lakes and four examples have been secured.  “Riesling can claim to be the finest white grape variety in the world on the basis of the longevity of its wines and their ability to transmit the characteristics of a vineyard,” says Jancis Robinson OBE MW.

Apart from climatic differences, the grapes for Trestle Thirty One were sourced from a variety of vineyards.  The 2023 came from Dalrymple and Gibson sites and despite a very wet June/July, sunshine in August and a long dry autumn ensured a vintage in very classic style.  Fermentation was in acacia wood.

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Acacia wood

Grapes for the 2020 harvest were picked in the Zugibe vineyard; the summer was extremely dry with much of the district classified as in extreme drought.  This resulted in an exceptionally concentrated vintage which was followed by a long, slow fermentation until mid-December.

To show the ageing potential of Riesling, Nova will bring some ‘library’ stock of her first ever vintage, the 2015 which was made from Zugibe vineyard grapes which were hand-picked on October 2 before a hurricane hit the region.

As a real treat, the demi-sec 2020 Riesling will be opened, made from vineyards around Cayuga and Seneca Lakes.  The fruit was harvested on October 14.  The final sugar reading is 16g/l (by comparison with 3.2g/l for the 2020 Riesling).

“Cabernet Franc can be brilliant (in the Finger Lakes) when the grapes are harvested at the opportune moment and vinified by expert hands,” say Jancis Robinson MW and Linda Murphy in their authoritative book, American Wine.  Our 2023 example of this early-maturing Bordeaux variety again shows Nova’s expertise.  True to form, it exudes bright red-fruit flavours, subtle yet complex herbal aromas, and a medium body taste.  Lovers of stylish St Emilion like Ch. Cheval Blanc will immediately recognise the charm of Cabernet Franc.

Our venue is probably the prettiest ever: the Mayfair gallery of Dreweatts, the auction house established in 1759.

Dreweatts Gallery; interior

Located at 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1, Dreweatts will have a special display of art.  We are delighted that their Wine Specialist, Violette Jongbloed, will join us and also speak.

Doors open at 6.30pm; please do NOT arrive earlier (as the Committee needs time to set up).  If you arrive before, there are many wine bars / coffee shops in Mayfair.  The tasting ends at 8.30pm

Dress code:  Jacket and tie for men - please advise your guests.

Seating:  There is limited seating; if required, please request when booking.

For admission, please first check availability (info below) - please do not contact the Membership Secretary for avaiability.  Once confirmed and paid, either print off the numbered ticket or have it available on a mobile telephone.

EVENT SUMMARY

Date:      Wednesday 10^th December 2025

Time:      6:30pm

Venue:    Dreweatts,  16-17 Pall Mall,  London,  SW1Y 5LU

Dress:   Jacket and tie for men

TASTING COSTS

BOOKS FOR CHRISTMAS OR YOUR OWN ENJOYMENT

The Club offers a special range of wine and spirit books for members. Please apply on the form below and indicate if collecting on December 10^th or January 22^nd 2026. 

Brunello di Montalcino

Vienna from a distance

Château Cos d’Estournel

Tasting Application

HOW TO BOOK

Options:

• Via the on-line form below  (preferred method)
• or
• 1) E-mail your tasting application to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk and 2) make a payment after place availability has been confirmed

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 020 8947 5082 or by e-mail to tastings@redherringwineclub.co.uk  (NB NOT please to membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk)

Your booking is secure once payment has been received at which point your numbered ticket will be issued as confirmation.

Tastings take place approximately monthly and can usually be booked the day after a tasting has taken place.  Payments outside this schedule are discouraged and do not guarantee a place.

HOW TO PAY

By on-line banking only (details below) 

The payment reference to use is:

The preferred method of payment of membership subscription(s) is by Standing Order.

Please remember to notify any home or email address changes by emailing details to membership@redherringwineclub.co.uk.

Diary Dates: