This past Wednesday evening Red Newt Cellars owners, David and Debra Whiting, attended the Unity Banquet, held at Belhurst Castle, where they received the New York Wine & Grape Foundation Award for Winery of the Year.

I had a moment to read over the plaque today. It inspired me to write this article. The award reads: New York Wine and Grape Foundation Winery Award Presented to Red Newt Cellars for Major Contributions in Enhancing the Awareness and Reputation of New York Wines, April 2011.

I have been working for Red Newt Cellars now since Harvest 2009. From what this business has done in 2010-2011, I can say this honor was well earned through passion of craft, education on regionality, and like any great wine, this award took a great deal of time and hard work. The Whitings are true regional ambassadors, and were quite humbled to receive this award. I thought it would be a kind gesture on my behalf to explain some of what Red Newt has done recently to earn this honorable distinction.

First of all, David Whiting and Assistant Winemaker, Brandon Seager, have been producing some of the best wines in New York State. The past three vintages have all had at least one wine receiving a 90 point rating from Wine Spectator. See the whole list of rankings for yourself at WineSpectator.com. My favorite wine available in the tasting room right now is our 2009 Sawmill Creek single vineyard Riesling. The Sawmill Creek Riesling was just awarded a Double Gold Medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times. I recommend that you read this blog: A Quick Ring Around Seneca Lake during Harvest, by James Molesworth, to learn more about the Single Vineyard success in the Finger Lakes.

Our most widely distributed wine has been on fire. The medium sweet “Circle Label” Riesling has received great praise the past two vintages (rated 88 and 86 points). It won gold medal at last year’s New York Food and Wine Classic. It was listed as Wine Spectator’s “Wine Pick of the Day under $15,” and it was selected as one of Wine Spectator’s great buys under $20. Be on the lookout for a giant dislpay featuring Circle Riesling in your local wine shop. It will look something like this: Circle Riesling Floorstack. If that wasn’t enough, this week Circle Riesling was featured on the syndicated PBS show Vine Talk hosted by New York native, Stanley Tucci. Celebrity guest Nathan Lane provides some excellent commentary on Finger Lakes Riesling. I highly recommend checking out this show.

In 2010 Red Newt turned their focus toward reaching out to new customers and new markets. In 2009 Red Newt Cellars wines could only be purchased in New York State. Today you can find Red Newt Riesling, and other great wines, in eight additional states in the Northeast. Our distributors and retailers have been paramount in the success of our brand. Customers and retailers can place requests for our wines online. Here’s how: New York State (Opici Wine Group), New York City (Upstate Wine Company – awarded New York State Distributor of the Year), Massachusetts and Rhode Island (Baystate Wine and Spirits), Vermont (Vermont Wine Merchants), Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC (Potomac Selections), Ohio (RC Distributors), Connecticut (Worldwide Wines), and Pennsylvania (through the PLCB).  We are still very new in these markets and would appreciate your help requesting that our wines get stocked locally on your shelves!

Also to better serve our customers, Red Newt has expanded its Direct to Consumer Shipping program. Currently, our Tasting Room can ship wine right to your home or office if you live in the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Washington DC. You can place orders directly on our website (Red Newt Cellars Online Store). As always, we offer free shipping on the purchase of 6 or more bottles. If you would like us to “get compliant” in your state contact me directly (E-mail the Author). However, there are still some states like Pennsylvania and Massachusetts who have stringent, restrictive, or antiquated policies on direct shipping. To help coax your law makers please support Free The Grapes.

Lastly, Red Newt has been trying to “spread the love” as effectively and affordably as possible. I urge you to join our groups on Facebook (Red Newt Cellars Official Facebook Page) and Twitter (Red Newt Cellars Official Twitter Page) where we provide up to the minute updates on the Finger Lakes and all that goes on surrounding New York wine. Additionally, please take the time to check out the websites of some of our tourism, marketing, and social media friends and partners: Finger Lakes Wine Country, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty, Finger Lakes Bed & Breakfast Association, New York Cork Report, Experience! The Finger Lakes, Finger Lakes Wine Center, New York Wine and Culinary Center, and the New York Wine Network just to name a few.

In closing, I do apologize for all of the self-aggrandizing hyperlinks, but my intent is for this blog to enhance the awareness and reputation of New York Wines. Hopefully, you the reader, sees these links as additional resources designed to help reinforce my message. The staff at Red Newt Cellars are tireless proponents of NY wine and the bounty that is the Finger Lakes.  If you get the opportunity, stop in to see for yourself what’s really going on in the Finger Lakes.  Thank you again to the New York Wine & Grape Foundation team for this award.

Click here for a list of all the Unity Banquet Award Winners

One last link: Please Follow ME on Twitter!!!