28-03-2025
10 American Rieslings To Know From New York To Napa Valley
getty
Riesling is both a white grape and wine variety that is often maligned with sweet, inexpensive labels.
Riesling, however, is actually one of the most unique wines in the world as it is available in a variety of styles, ranging from bone dry to sweet dessert wines. Native to Germany's Rhine, Riesling thrives across the country, and throughout neighboring regions in Europe, in high altitude appellations with terraced vineyards like Alsace in France and Wachau in Austria. In recent years, New World wine regions like Australia and the U.S. have produced some outstanding expressions of Riesling.
In the U.S., the best styles of Riesling have historically come out of the Finger Lakes in New York, and while that's still certainly true, other storied wine regions throughout the U.S. have invested in the grape, showcasing delightful expressions, from Texas to Oregon, even western Colorado and of course, Napa.
Read on to discover 10 American Rieslings to stock your wine cellar with.
Nosing this Riesling, its origins are not immediately apparent, thanks to intense honey and white blossom aromatics from a small amount of noble rot. The medium palate, plush with ripe pear and vibrant acidity, is a perfect example of a dry Riesling in traditional German Kabinett (read: dry) style. // SRP $45
The grapes used for this crisp, citrus-forward Riesling are grown in California's cool climate of Monterey County, which allows for a naturally bright acidity and freshness in the glass. Fetzer's Riesling finishes off-dry as they stop fermentation before completion to express a hint of peach jam or tangy pineapple. // SRP $10
Dr Konstantin Frank is a leading producer of Riesling in the Finger Lakes
Dr. Konstantin Frank was the first to plant Riesling in the Finger Lakes region in New York. As the pioneer of stateside Riesling, the winery features a portfolio of Riesling styles to choose from, but this bottle represents their classic, dry style that made them a household name. Produced with grapes from their original vines dating back to 1958, the wine displays ripe cantaloupe and dried apricot flavors that are balanced by the variety's quintessential petrol note and searing acidity. // SRP $20
Paul Hobbs is a revered winemaker around the globe, and while he got his start in Napa Valley, his most recent work in the Finger Lakes showcases the success of newcomers to the region. The 2019 vintage of this estate dry riesling was the first release from Hillick & Hobbs, located in Seneca Lake, and it's continuously delivered with its masterful tension, freshness and subtle earthy note. // SRP $35
This Dundee, Oregon-based winery might be reputed for its quality sparkling wines, however, their Nusshaus Riesling has a storied background of its own, dating back to 1988. Grown in Eola-Amity Hills, the fruit used for this wine was harvested at the end of October; the higher level of natural sweetness produces this semi-sweet expression evocative of a German Spätlese (Spätlese, meaning late harvest). Don't let the mention of sweetness be off-putting; Nusshaus presents layers of flavor with balanced freshness and acidity that lends itself as a brilliant culinary wine. Try pairing it with rich, spicy dishes like ramen noodles or Thai curries. // SRP $35
Brooks Estate has been dedicated to showcasing its Willamette Valley locale's potential for expressive Rieslings since its founding in 1998. They've made a name for themselves with their terroir-driven Riesling series, like the 100 cases of Monks Gate, a dry Riesling with bright acid and a lengthy mineral-driven finish. It's the perfect starting point to their greater collection of dry, medium-sweet and even sparkling Riesling.
The Ordinary Fellow Riesling from Palisade, Colorado.
If you truly want to taste the unexpected, turn to this Colorado-produced Riesling from The Ordinary Fellow. The Palisade-based winery crafts all its varieties from fruit grown along the Colorado River at 6,500 feet above sea level. The stony, loam soils and climatic conditions (very hot days and cool nights) mimic the best growing conditions on steep slopes along the Rhine, which results in optimal expressions of Riesling. This Riesling offers aromatics of Meyer lemon and an herbal note of fennel before racing acidity on the palate that finishes with lingering dried apricot. // SRP $32
Branded under the 'lightly sweet' category of their extensive wine portfolio, Garden Creek Winery's off-dry riesling is bursting with the sweetness and lushness of juicy white peach and a crispness from Granny Smith apple undertones. Their winemaker suggests serving it at 45°F with spring rolls and spicy Vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc cham). // SRP $30
The Rieslings out of Washington state are renowned for their impressive acidity and Chateau Ste Michelle's old-vine signature is no exception. Cold Creek was planted in the 1970s and exists as one of the state's oldest vineyards; its fruit is characterized by ripe fruit intensity which the winery balances by picking the grapes over a four week period to showcase varying sweetness levels for a complex palate in flavor and structure. // SRP $22
Produced in a style akin to Alsatian Riesling (read: bone dry), Shenandoah Vineyards adds their own twist to this wine with slight oak aging to create a fuller body. Its aromatic notes of white flowers and lemon zest open to a mineral-forward wine that pairs beautifully with light, summer dishes — the winemaker suggests shrimp scampi or nutty cheeses. // SRP $26
