Ravines Wine Cellars
A Finger Lakes winery with a French accents and where wine and food are one
Ravines Wine Cellars is a small-family-owned winery located in the region of Finger Lakes (New York). It was founded in 2000 by Morten (winemaker) & Lisa Hallgren (chef). During its early years the vineyard was too young to see the result and because it was too small it vinified grapes purchased from other vineyard. With time, as the years passed the vineyard Ravines Wine Cellars expanded to reach today´s 90 acres. This area includes three vineyards: White Springs Vineyard (near the city of Genova), Argetsinger Vineyard (East Coast of Seneca Lake) and 16 Falls Vineyards (Seneca Lake East Coast)
Today the property produces more than a dozen different label wines and has two tasting rooms one near Hammondsport (Keuka Lake) and the other near Geneva (Seneca Lake). Because of their passion for gastronomy / cooking and being Lisa a chef, this this epicurean couple regularly organize Wine & Food Pairing session with local farmhouse cheeses, handmade chocolates …etc
Focus on Morten Hallgren, owner of Ravines Wine Cellars and winemaker
Vidéo: Français & English
Morten Hallgren is from a family of Danish origin, the former owner of Chateau Roubine (Provence). From his childhood he was immersed in the world of vines and wine from his free time in the family vineyard or cellar. At the end of his general education he turned to study oenology at the University of Montpellier (National Diploma of Oenology). At the end of his studies, wishing to enrich his experience and expertise he worked for many properties such as Château Cos d’Estournel (Saint-Estèphe), Château Haut-Marbuzet (Saint-Estèphe), Krug, Biltmore Estate (Ascheville, North Carolina) or for the merchant Cordier Mestrezat Grands Crus in Texas State.
For various reasons he and his family separated from the Château Roubine, then he decided to search of a vineyard again. Arriving in the Finger Lakes region he had a real crush on the beautiful scenery, the quality of life but also to the land which according to him has a great potential. In 2000 he bought vineyards, built buildings (cellars and tasting room) and therefore created Ravines Wines Cellars. Beside this, he continued to advise many properties as Dr. Konstantin Frank wines (Finger Lakes).
What are you looking for each year by creating wines in the Ravines Wine Cellars ?
“An ‘transparent’ alcohol in the sense that it does not dominate the tasting. I try to manipulate at least the wine. These wines are delicate aromatically, with a good structure, with a good acidity, minerality and a nice fruitiness. “(Morten Hallgren)
Where does the name of “Ravines Wine Cellars” come from ?
“If you look at a topographic map you will notice that we are located between two ravines, between two streams, facing the lake. The name of Ravines thus quickly came to us.” (Morten Hallgren)
If you were to present your property and your passion in 3 or 4 words Which ones would you use?
“Serious winemaker, serious region and region to discover.” (Morten Hallgren)
Side stories:
Anecdotally they are testing aging Cabernet Franc wine in chestnut barrels. “This kind of barrel has a small footprint on the wine, it brings complexity without much marking the wine. “(Morten Hallgren)
Another anecdote is that Ravines Wines Cellars produces a semi-sweet white wine called “Ayre“. This name is not just the name of this wine, but also the name of the daughter of Morten & Lisa Hallgren.
Thanks to Morten & Lisa Hallgren and their team for their hospitality.
Ravines Wine Cellars
400 Barracks Road Geneva
NY 14456 (USA)
315-781-7007
