When Louis Barruol, owner of Chateau Saint Cosme in the Rhone, wanted to start a new wine adventure, his journey unexpectedly took him to Finger Lakes. The unique, cool climate terroir he found there was... Read More

When Louis Barruol, owner of Chateau Saint Cosme in the Rhone, wanted to start a new wine adventure, his journey unexpectedly took him to Finger Lakes. The unique, cool climate terroir he found there was irresistible, so Louis and two like-minded friends, Richard Rainey and Justin Boyette, decided to join forces.

The goal of all the work in the cellar is meant to reflect the purity of the vineyards and their singular terroir. Everything from harvesting to sorting is performed by hand, fermentation is done slowly in small lots and only with indigenous yeasts, minimal sulfur is used only when necessary. The results are wines that express purity of fruit at a shocking value.

In just the last 5-10 years, wines from the Finger lakes went from being the under-the-radar option to something people are talking about across the country, and we can certainly see why. The region can produce seriously mineral-driven, terroir-specific wines with laser-sharp acidity and crystalline purity. It benefits enormously from the moderating effect of the lakes themselves, protecting the vines from the freezing winters but ensuring relatively cool growing conditions throughout the summer.

The area also boasts complex geology, ensuring a range of different soils and terroirs. This is largely thanks to the glaciers. Around 2 million years ago, glacial flows carved deep trenches and formed these thin, seriously deep lakes (Seneca Lake is deeper than 630 feet!). These diverse and rocky soils are quite simply perfect for Riesling. Add in talent, passion, generations of experience and you have the winning combination at Forge Cellars.