The Vineyard
Lahoma is a vineyard that is close to Red Newt as the crow flies, at just over three miles away. Do not be fooled, however! Situated on the opposite side of Seneca Lake from the winery, growers Ken and Harlan Fulkerson know it is a much longer drive than three miles to reach Red Newt from their property. The payoff is worth it, however, as Lahoma showcases 20 acres of quintessential Finger Lakes Riesling on a series of rolling hills. At a higher elevation than most vinifera vineyards, Lahoma is above the ‘shale line’ that dominates most vineyards near it. Instead, it features rare, sandstone-derived soils (Dunkirk and Odessa) that lend themselves to an opulent and fruit-dense expression of Riesling. Ken and Harlan Fulkerson take great pride in the appearance and health of the Lahoma plantings. Regular mowing, hedging, leaf removal, and spray programs keep the vineyards free of pest and disease pressure. This weight and power are quintessential ‘Lahoma’ to us, and beyond the Single Vineyard bottlings that bear its name, Riesling from this site underpins many of our classic Red Newt styles.
Please see individual blocks for specific vintages of each wine, as well as block-specific terroir and tasting notes.
7’er Block – Pentecostal
The 2007 planting on Lahoma is the farthest upslope from Seneca Lake at an elevation of 855 ft. It was planted with Geisenheim 239 and trained using traditional VSP, Vertical Shoot Positioning. The 7’er vineyard is the most vigorous of the Lahoma plantings, due to it being planted on the site of a former cow pasture. While the fruit that results is beautiful, the excess vigor requires multiple passes by the winemaking team prior to harvest to keep things clean. That vineyard work is, in fact, the reason for this block’s nickname – Pentecostal: after one particularly grueling stretch of vineyard days the winemaking team joked that they had spent so much time in the block that they could have found religion.
Grower: Ken Fulkerson
Established In: Riesling planted in 2007
Grapes Planted: Riesling – Geisenheim 239
Training Method: VSP – Vertical Shoot Positioning
Soil: Dunkirk silt loam
Slope: 3-6%
Exposure: East
Elevation: 855 feet
Wine Characteristics: Orange fruit, luscious, great concentration of flavors.
Wines from Lahoma Vineyard’s Pentacostal Block:
Dry Riesling: 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019
Riesling: 2013
Lahoma Vineyard Riesling: 2009
Lahoma Vineyard “Big H” Riesling: 2014
Kelby James Russell Riesling: 2017
8’er Block
The 8’er block is less vigorous than the 7’er and 9’er blocks and requires less hedging and leaf thinning during the growing season . This block is characterized by its shorter rows and pronounced slope. The fruit from 8’er is often picked several days earlier than the other blocks at Lahoma and often lends itself towards a Riesling style with a higher residual sugar and ripe tropical fruit characteristics.
Grower: Ken Fulkerson
Established In: Riesling planted in 2008
Grapes Planted: Riesling – Geisenheim 239
Training Method: VSP – Vertical Shoot Positioning
Soil: Odessa silt loam
Slope: 6%
Exposure: East, North East
Elevation: 807-843 feet
Wine Characteristics: Tropical fruit, juicy, exuberant.
Wines from Lahoma Vineyard’s 8’er Block:
Riesling: 2016, 2017
Lahoma Vineyard Riesling: 2010, 2013, 2014
Kelby James Russell Riesling: 2015, 2016
9’er Block
Planted in 2009, the 9’er block has the longest rows with the gentlest slope of the Lahoma plantings. Moderate vigor and excellent air flow allows the 9’er block fruit to mature with minimum disease pressure and intervention from the winemaking team. This block is often one of the last pickings of Riesling and lends its flavor ripeness and concentration to a powerful, dry style Riesling.
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Grower: Ken Fulkerson
Established In: Riesling planted in 2008
Grapes Planted: Riesling – Geisenheim 239
Training Method: VSP – Vertical Shoot Positioning
Soil: Odessa silt loam
Slope: 3%
Exposure: East, North East
Elevation: 825 feet
Wine Characteristics: Lime peel, powerful, focused.
Wines from Lahoma Vineyard’s 9’er Block:
Dry Riesling: 2015, 2016, 2017
The 2017 vintage of Dry Riesling used the “GC” Extension of the 9’er Block
Riesling: 2012, 2014, 2018
Lahoma Vineyard Riesling: 2011, 2012
Lahoma Vineyard “Big H” Riesling: 2013
Kelby James Russell Riesling: 2014
The Knoll
A small 2 acre block located in the heart of Lahoma vineyards, the Knoll is planted in Dunkirk soil on a hillock nestled between two creeks. At a moderate 830 feet elevation with a gentle slope, the Knoll is unique in its expression of Riesling. The sandstone derived soil provides excellent water drainage which is a boon in wet growing seasons. The winemaking team implements extra care in performing leaf thinning and negative fruit selection in the weeks leading up to harvest. All these factors result in the Knoll being the last block of table fruit to be picked, with notable ripeness and concentration found in the fruit and the resulting wine.
Grower: Ken Fulkerson
Established In: Riesling planted in 2008
Grapes Planted: Riesling – Geisenheim 239
Training Method: VSP – Vertical Shoot Positioning
Soil: Dunkirk silt loam
Slope: 3%
Exposure: East
Elevation: 836 feet
Wine Characteristics: Smokey grapefruit, concentration, power.
Wines from The Knoll:
The Knoll Riesling: 2013-2019
Lahoma Vineyard Riesling: 2014
Grief Block
This block was originally planted with Pinot Gris, which did quite poorly in this location, and left the grower grumbling that the grape may as well be called Pinot Grief. Since replanting with Riesling in 2014, the site has performed remarkably well and lends itself towards a Kabinett style Riesling. The 6 rows of Riesling are found on the lowest elevation found at Lahoma with almost no slope to speak of.
Grower: Harlan Fulkerson (Ken Fulkerson’s Father)
Established In: Riesling planted in 2014
Grapes Planted: Riesling – Geisenheim 239
Training Method: VSP – Vertical Shoot Positioning
Soil: Odessa silty clay loam
Slope: 1%
Exposure: East
Elevation: 800 feet
Wine Characteristics: Lemon curd, nuanced, tight acid core.
Wines from Lahoma Vineyard’s Grief Block:
Lahoma Vineyard Riesling: 2016-2019
The Wines
Wines from Lahoma Vineyard:
Lahoma Vineyard Riesling
Lahoma Vineyard “Big H” Riesling
The Knoll Riesling
Dry Riesling
Riesling
Circle Riesling
Kelby James Russell Riesling
