About Us

We are focused on creating distinctive cool-climate wines with dry, yet fruit-forward styles showcasing the unique influence of regional soils and climate. To achieve this dream, we believe that we need to control quality throughout the whole process — from vineyard development through vine growth, fruit maturation and ripening; onto appropriate harvest decisions and into the winery through the fermentation, extraction and separation process and finally into the tank and barrel aging process—culminating in the bottle. This is our personal passion, so in order to control each step we intend to stay small and focus on the finer details and small-lot production. I guess you could say that we are about quality, rather than quantity.

The winegrower

Mike and I recently moved to Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes of up-state New York. Mike actually arrived a few years earlier than I did; he moved here when we first purchased the 34 acre property and began the long process of clearing and preparing the land for vineyard development. The property was primarily woods and scrub trees, so he had his hands full clearing trees, picking rocks, pulling stumps, leveling soil and placing drain tile. Very, very glamorous stuff! Before embarking on this project, he was working for a national company that rents heavy equipment to consumers. Mike used to manage the financial service center that serviced most of the individual locations west of the Mississippi. He’s a numbers-guy, with a lot of practical experience with heavy equipment—and he has a keen eye for vine health and development.

The winemaker

I arrived about two years later in January of 2006, leaving my position as Vice President of Viticulture and Enology R&D at a large corporate California winery to start a new life with my husband. When I’m not helping my husband pick rocks and pull stumps, I can usually be found walking the Pinot, Chardonnay, Riesling and Teroldego vines that we’ve already planted and keeping an eye on vine growth and fruit development. Once we reach veraison, I usually walk the vineyard every week to taste the fruit and assess ripeness. Once we harvest, I move my focus away from the vineyard and concentrate on the wine production process. And then, I sell the wine.

I also spend a lot of time on the road doing my other jobs. I own a vineyard and winery technical consulting company called “The Answer Grape” (www.theanswergrape.net) [website under construction] which provides troubleshooting, consulting and contract research support to the wine and grape industry. I’m also an Adjunct Professor for the Food Science Department at Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, New York. When I’m not working, I am a member of the Cayuga County Highlands Search and Rescue Team (www.cayuganet.org/highlandsar/). My one-year old German Shepherd, Shazzam, and I are currently in grid and K9 training.

Red Tail Ridge Staff

Jim Robideau—Vineyardist

From Native to Vinifera grape varieties, Jim Robideau has been there, seen it, trimmed it. Current resident of Penn Yan, NY he keeps a busy schedule, but can usually be found outdoors. When he's not spending time with his wife Karen and two children—Jess and Tim; his 'home away from home' is our vineyard. Hidden somewhere along a row of vines, Jim can usually be found with a headset radio, a smile and big wave which comes complete with one of his ever present witty jokes. For Jim, The Finger Lakes region is a place he's happy and completely content to call home.

Red Tail Ridge Crew

Fred—RTR Public Relations
Fred - Tasting Room Public Relations Meet Fred, also known as Fredurick and Freddy. He is a happy go lucky lover-of-life. We found Fred through (www.petfinder.com) about 4 years ago. He was rescued from a dog pound in Fremont, California. We think he was about 9 years old when we adopted him, so now he’s probably around 13 or so. We have no idea what breed(s) he is; however, we have a suspicion that he is part Irish Setter and part Border Collie due to his coat, color and personality quirks. He may be old, but he is full of love and adores people. He is looking forward to meeting you when you visit Red Tail Ridge.

Fred is also good friends with Scott and Ruth Osborn, our next door neighbors and Fox Run Winery owners. They are his favorite puppy-sitters. He especially loves to go to work at the winery with Scott and visit with the staff and customers.

Scooter—Pond Inspector and Mud Puddle Assessment
Scooter - Pond Inspector and Mud Puddle Assessment Scooter is a 3 year old yellow Laborador Retriever. He was pretty hyper as a pup, but he is starting to mellow a bit now that he is out of his terrible-twos. Scooter loves to play and, in particular, he likes to swim. In fact, it is pretty difficult to keep him dry. His absolute favorite thing is riding in the ski boat and retrieving sticks from the lake. He can do a really good belly flop off the dock.

We raised Scooter from a pup. He is originally from Riverbank which is located in the Central Valley of California. He also loves people and has been known to follow them everywhere—usually holding something in his mouth and wagging his tail at a feverish pace.

Shazzam—Winemaker Management
Shazzam - Winemaker Management Shazzam is a one year old German Shepherd pup. She is originally from Kentucky; we adopted her when she was about 8-10 weeks of age. Shazzam has A LOT of energy. Luckily, this energy works really well for her in obedience training—something we work on everyday. It also works for her in her part-time job. She is a pup-in-training with the Cayuga County Highlands Search and Rescue team. She really loves to work. Shazzam especially likes to play hide and seek where she gets to look for hiding people. We hope that she will be a real, certified search dog someday.

Shazzam spends a lot of time overseeing the activities of the winemaker and is a constant companion during vineyard fruit assessment, harvest and wine production—she is very opinionated at times. She is also a very big fan of "the stick” and loves to play fetch. Scooter is her favorite playmate.