Standing Stone Vineyards

Standing Stone Vineyards is located in Hector, NY on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The vineyard was purchased in 1991 by Tom and Marti Macinski, with their first vintage released a couple years later in 1993. They made 800 cases of wine that year and are now up to 6500 cases.

Along with vinifera varieties like Cabernet Franc, Riesling and Chardonnay, Standing Stone grows and makes wine from Vidal Blanc, a hybrid variety that does very well in the cool climates of the northern United States.

Table wines made from Vidal are often simple, high-acidity wines that are terrific in the summer for their light fruit flavors and refreshing crispness. The real stars, however, are late harvest and ice wines made from the variety.

Standing Stone Vineyards' 2004 Vidal Ice is called "Ice" but isn't a true ice wine. They pick the grapes after the vine's foliage is gone, and the grapes are starting to shrivel, which begins to concentrate their flavors. The grapes are then frozen commercially, which locks the flavorless water and allows the winemaker to extract the sweet, decadent nectar.

A rich, luscious amber in the glass, this dessert wine is extremely aromatic with peach, pineapple, mango and apricot scents. Similar flavors greet the palate, with definite sweetness that is balanced expertly by terrific acidity. At $25 for a 375ml bottle, this is one of the best dessert wine deals in New York state – and maybe America.

Reviewed September 12, 2006 by Lenn Thompson.