New York State of Wine: The Red Wines That Will Completely Change Your Mind

We saved the best for last. Or at least, we saved the most surprising.

Because if there's one thing that will genuinely shock people about New York wine, it's the reds. Not because they're bad — quite the opposite. It's because they're good in ways that nobody expects. They're nuanced. They're food-friendly. They're the kind of wines that make you put down your glass, look at the label, and say "wait, this is from New York?"

Yes. Yes it is. And we've been trying to tell you.

This is Part 3 of our New York wine series, and we're closing it out with three red wines that represent the full range of what New York can do: a chillable, playful Gamay from the Finger Lakes; a complex, Bordeaux-inspired blend from Long Island's North Fork; and a serious, structured Cabernet Franc from Watkins Glen that will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about American red wine.

Why New York Reds Are Having a Moment

The cool climate that makes New York so good for sparkling wine and aromatic whites? It also produces red wines with something that warm-climate reds often lack: freshness. New York reds have lower alcohol, higher acidity, and a brightness that makes them incredibly versatile at the table. They're not trying to be Napa Cabernet. They're not trying to be Bordeaux. They're something entirely their own — and that's exactly what makes them exciting.

The varietals that thrive here — Gamay, Cabernet Franc, and Bordeaux blends — are all grapes that love cool climates. They ripen slowly, developing complexity and nuance rather than just raw power. The result is red wine that you can actually drink with food, that doesn't overwhelm your palate, and that leaves you reaching for another glass.

Meet the Makers

Lahoma Vineyards on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes is a newer producer making waves with their Gamay Noir. Their Apollo's Praise is named with intention — a wine that celebrates the beauty of the land and the craft of winemaking.

Brooklyn Oenology / Haywater Cove brings us the Night Swimming Red, a Bordeaux-style blend from Peconic Bay on the North Fork. This is a wine with a story — made by a woman-owned, woman-led winery that has been championing New York wine for decades.

Lakewood Vineyards in Watkins Glen is a family-owned estate in the Finger Lakes with a woman winemaker producing some of the most compelling Cabernet Franc in the state. Their 2022 is a wine that rewards patience and attention.

The Wines

2024 Apollo's Praise Gamay Noir, Lahoma Vineyards, Seneca Lake — $24.99

Gamay is the grape of Beaujolais, and if you've ever had a good Beaujolais — the kind that's light, juicy, and makes you want to drink the whole bottle — you already know why we're excited about this. New York Gamay takes that same energy and adds a cool-climate precision that makes it even more interesting. This wine is chillable (yes, put it in the fridge for 20 minutes), food-friendly, and genuinely fun to drink. It's the red wine for people who think they don't like red wine.

Pairs beautifully with: charcuterie, roasted chicken, salmon, mushroom dishes, or a summer cookout where you want something red but not heavy.

NV Chronicale, Haywater Cove Night Swimming Red, North Fork, Long Island — $19.00

The name alone. Night Swimming. This is a wine that was made to be opened after the sun goes down, when the conversation gets good and the music gets better. It's a Bordeaux-style blend — Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Petit Sirah, and Syrah — that somehow manages to be both complex and completely approachable. At $19, it's also one of the best values in our entire collection. Woman-owned, woman-made, and absolutely worth every sip.

Pairs beautifully with: grilled steak, lamb burgers, hearty pasta, or a cheese board at the end of a long, good day.

2022 Lakewood Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen — $22.00

Cabernet Franc is having a global moment, and the Finger Lakes is one of the reasons why. This grape — which is a parent variety of Cabernet Sauvignon — produces wines that are more aromatic, more elegant, and more food-friendly than its famous offspring. Lakewood's 2022 is a beautiful example: dark fruit, violet, a hint of green pepper (in the best possible way), and a finish that lingers. This is the wine you open when you want to be taken seriously. Woman-owned, Finger Lakes-grown, and genuinely impressive.

Pairs beautifully with: roasted duck, lamb, mushroom risotto, aged cheeses, or anything you'd pair with a Bordeaux.

Free Shipping on 6 Bottles or More

Here's your New York wine education in a box: grab all three reds, add the Boundary Riesling and the RGNY Sauvignon Blanc from Part 2, plus the Red Tail Ridge sparkling from Part 1 — that's 6 bottles, free shipping, and a complete tour of New York wine country without leaving your living room. 📦🗽

The Full Picture: Why New York Wine Matters

Over the course of this three-part series, we've introduced you to New York wines made by women, women-owned wineries, Black-owned producers, and minority-led operations. That's not a coincidence — it's a reflection of who is actually making the most exciting wine in New York right now.

The wine world has a diversity problem. It's been documented, discussed, and debated. But the solution isn't just talking about it — it's buying the wines. It's putting your money where your values are. It's choosing the bottle made by the woman winemaker, the Black-owned winery, the minority-led producer, and discovering — as we have, every single time — that the wine is extraordinary.

New York wine is a story about place, about climate, about terroir. But it's also a story about people. And the people making wine in New York right now are some of the most talented, passionate, and underrepresented voices in the entire wine world.

We're proud to carry their wines. We're proud to tell their stories. And we're grateful you're here to discover them with us.

The Complete New York Wine Series

• 🍾 Part 1: New York Sparkling Wines — Bubbles, women winemakers & the Finger Lakes
• 🥂 Part 2: New York White Wines — Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc & the North Fork
• 🍷 Part 3: New York Red Wines — You're here. Welcome.

Related Reading from The Wine Concierge

• Red Wine Without the Intimidation: A Beginner's Guide
• Best Wines for Grilling Season: Your Complete BBQ & Wine Pairing Guide
• 15 BIPOC Winemakers Breaking Barriers