2020 Hermann J. Wiemer "HJW Vineyard" Riesling, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York, USA
There are 8 units left in stock.
ABOUT THE WINE
The 2020 HJW Vineyard Riesling comes from Hermann J. Wiemer’s original estate vineyard, planted in the late 1970s on the western slopes of Seneca Lake. The site’s glacial soils—composed of shallow loam and shale—combined with the moderating lake effect, allow for slow, balanced ripening and an extended hang time that preserves acidity and aromatic complexity. The wine is fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel to retain freshness and transparency of site. No malolactic fermentation is allowed, further emphasizing its racy profile.
Aromatically, the wine is dynamic: Meyer lemon, chamomile, and white nectarine play against a backdrop of wet stone and subtle florals. The texture is sleek yet weightless, with the wine’s naturally high acidity kept in check by just enough residual sugar to balance, not distract. The finish is mouthwatering, saline, and endlessly persistent. A benchmark Finger Lakes Riesling with the structure to evolve over the next 10–15 years.
ABOUT THE PRODUCER
Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard stands as a cornerstone of American Riesling, founded by German-born Hermann Wiemer in the 1970s—a pioneer who defied skepticism about vinifera in New York’s Finger Lakes. Today, the estate is helmed by winemaker Fred Merwarth and agronomist Oskar Bynke, who continue the legacy with a deep commitment to precision viticulture and terroir expression.
The winery farms over 80 acres across several estate sites with organic and regenerative practices, including composting, cover cropping, and biodiverse habitat integration. Each parcel is harvested and vinified separately, underscoring the team’s philosophy of minimal intervention and maximal site transparency. The HJW Vineyard—Wiemer’s oldest and most iconic plot—is often regarded as one of the region’s finest Riesling terroirs, producing wines of striking purity and longevity.