New York State of Wine: The White Wines That Will Make You a Believer

We're back with Part 2 of our New York wine series, and if Part 1 (the sparkling wines) got you curious, Part 2 is going to make you a full convert.

Because here's the thing about New York white wines: they are wildly underrated. And we mean that in the best possible way — because underrated means you get to discover them before everyone else does. You get to be the person at the dinner party who says "actually, have you tried New York Riesling?" and watches everyone's face change.

That moment? Priceless. And we're here to set you up for it.

The Regions: Finger Lakes & North Fork Long Island

New York's two white wine powerhouses couldn't be more different in personality, and that's exactly what makes them exciting.

The Finger Lakes — those long, narrow glacial lakes in central New York — create a microclimate that is tailor-made for aromatic white wines. The lakes moderate temperatures, keeping summers cool and winters survivable for the vines. Riesling thrives here in a way that rivals Germany and Alsace. The wines have this gorgeous tension: fruit-forward but not sweet, mineral and precise, with an acidity that makes your mouth water and your brain say more.

North Fork Long Island is a different story entirely. Surrounded by water on three sides, it has a maritime climate that's warmer and more consistent than the Finger Lakes. The growing season is longer, which means grapes can ripen more fully. The result? White wines with more body, more texture, and a richness that surprises people who expect "New York wine" to be thin or austere.

Together, these two regions give you the full spectrum of what New York white wine can be.

Meet the Makers

Boundary Breaks Vineyard on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes is a family-owned estate with a woman winemaker at the helm. Their numbered vineyard blocks — hence "Boundary #239" — reflect a commitment to site-specific winemaking that is rare and admirable. Every wine tells you exactly where it came from.

RGNY (Raphael Grand Napa Yard) on the North Fork is a remarkable story. The winery is Black-owned and woman-led, with a Mexican-American minority ownership stake that makes it one of the most diverse wine operations in the country. Their Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon is a limited edition that sells out fast — and for good reason.

Bedell Cellars is a North Fork institution, one of the pioneering wineries that helped put Long Island on the wine map. Their White Franc Blanc from the Wells Road Vineyard is a newer expression — a white wine made from Cabernet Franc grapes — that is turning heads and changing minds about what Long Island white wine can be.

The Wines

2023 Boundary #239 Dry Riesling, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes — $22.00

Let's talk about Riesling for a second, because it gets a bad rap it absolutely does not deserve. People hear "Riesling" and think "sweet." But dry Riesling — especially from the Finger Lakes — is one of the most food-friendly, intellectually interesting white wines you can drink. This one from Boundary Breaks is crisp, mineral, and alive with citrus and stone fruit. It's the wine that converts Riesling skeptics into Riesling evangelists. We've seen it happen. Multiple times.

Pairs beautifully with: roasted chicken, Thai food, sushi, goat cheese, or anything with a little spice.

2021 RGNY Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon, North Fork, Long Island — $31.00

This is a limited edition wine, and we need you to understand what that means: when it's gone, it's gone. The Sauvignon Blanc brings brightness and herbaceous energy; the Semillon adds body, texture, and a honeyed richness that makes the whole thing feel luxurious. It's a Bordeaux-style white blend made on Long Island by a Black-owned, woman-led winery. This is the wine you buy because it's delicious and because it means something.

Pairs beautifully with: grilled fish, lobster, creamy pasta, or a cheese board with aged Gouda.

2024 Bedell White Franc Blanc, Wells Road Vineyard, North Fork — $26.00

White wine made from red grapes. We know, we know — stay with us. Cabernet Franc, when vinified as a white wine (meaning the skins are removed before fermentation), produces something genuinely surprising: floral, aromatic, with a silky texture and flavors of white peach, herbs, and a whisper of spice. Bedell's Wells Road Vineyard is one of the most respected sites on the North Fork, and this wine shows you exactly why. It's a conversation piece and a dinner party hero all in one bottle.

Pairs beautifully with: roasted salmon, herb-crusted chicken, vegetable risotto, or soft cheeses.

Free Shipping on 6 Bottles or More

All three of these whites together = 3 bottles. Add the sparkling wines from Part 1 and you've got 7 bottles, free shipping, and a New York wine education that would cost you three times as much at a tasting room. Just saying. 📦

The Bigger Picture

What strikes us most about New York's white wine scene is how many women are leading it. From the Finger Lakes to the North Fork, women winemakers are making some of the most precise, expressive, and exciting wines in the state. And in the case of RGNY, you have a winery that is also Black-owned and minority-led — proof that the wine world is changing, and that change tastes extraordinary.

Continue the Series

• 🍾 Part 1: New York Sparkling Wines — The bubbles that started it all
• 🍷 Part 3: New York Red Wines — Bold, chillable, and completely unexpected (coming soon)

Related Reading from The Wine Concierge

• Sauvignon Blanc vs. Chardonnay: Which White Wine Is Right for You?
• White Wine 101: The Beginner's Guide
• 15 BIPOC Winemakers Breaking Barriers