The HJW Vineyard Riesling is a flagship bottling from Hermann J. Wiemer, one of the most respected names in New York’s Finger Lakes. Planted in 1976 on the western slopes of Seneca Lake, the HJW Vineyard sits on shale and gravel soils, and benefits from cool temperatures and a long growing season—perfect conditions for slow-ripening, high-acid Riesling.
The 2023 vintage was marked by a cool, steady season, yielding wines of clarity and structure. This bottling is dry in style, though not bone-dry, and shows Wiemer’s signature balance between purity, energy, and finesse. It was fermented using native yeasts in stainless steel, with extended lees aging to build texture without sacrificing brightness.
Expect aromas of lime, green apple, jasmine, and wet stone, with a palate that’s taut and focused, finishing with a chalky grip and whisper of salinity. Though delicious now, it will reward cellaring for a decade or more, evolving toward honey, smoke, and petrol notes over time.
This is benchmark Finger Lakes Riesling, and a must for fans of dry German or Austrian whites.
