Back in May, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Fox Run Vineyards in the Finger Lakes—an experience that felt like the perfect prelude to Riesling Camp 2025. Yes, I’m a little late posting this (ok, very late!), but when the memories and wines are this good, the story is always worth sharing.

As one of the sommeliers chosen to attend Riesling Camp, I arrived in the Finger Lakes a day early. Craig Hosbach, Fox Run’s incredibly kind and talented winemaker, personally picked me up from the airport. From the very beginning, it felt like I was getting a peek behind the curtain into one of the region’s most cherished wine estates.

A Welcome Like No Other

Before I even stepped foot on the vineyard grounds, Fox Run had already wowed me. They sent a pre-visit gift that included a bottle of their 2011 Riesling, Lemberger, and Rosé—a thoughtful teaser of what was to come.

The 2011 Riesling was a revelation—bright with age, showcasing notes of petrol, honeyed citrus, and wet stone. The Lemberger was lively and spicy, with earthy red fruit and a soft finish, while the Rosé (more on that below) was an instant favorite.

The Tasting Lineup – From Dry to Decadent

Upon arrival, we headed over to the winery for a VIP tasting that included both current releases and some real gems from their portfolio. Some highlights:

  • 2023 Seneca Lake Dry Riesling – Classic and racy, with notes of green apple, lime peel, and slate. This wine screams Finger Lakes and is perfect for shellfish, salty cheese, or sipping on its own.

  • 2024 Semi-Dry Riesling – A house favorite at one of my Tennessee stores where I serve as the in-house sommelier. It’s bright, juicy, and delicately sweet with white peach and citrus blossom aromas. This is a go-to wine in my classes when teaching about balance and acidity in off-dry styles.

  • 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay – Crisp and expressive, with flavors of pear skin, Meyer lemon, and a whisper of almond. Unoaked and clean, it allows the Finger Lakes terroir to shine.

  • 2022 Traminette (Simmons Vineyard) – A hybrid with a Gewürztraminer-like lift—think lychee, spice, and floral notes. It’s bold on the nose, but finishes light and clean. A great match for aromatic dishes or spicy food.

  • 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon – Bright, fruit-driven, and elegant. Ripe red cherry, plum, and gentle oak spice made this a lovely cool-climate expression.

  • Fox Run Ruby Port – One of the surprises of the day! Deep, luscious, and decadent, with layers of black cherry, cocoa, and warm spice. I loved seeing this side of Finger Lakes winemaking.

All this… before the wine club tasting even started!

Wine Club VIP Tasting: Food, Wine & Community

The energy in the tasting room was vibrant, and the Fox Run team transformed the space into an elegant mini food & wine pairing experience. It’s easy to imagine this space being used for weddings or winemaker dinners—it’s open, airy, and surrounded by dark wood, lights and such a cozy wine room setting.

The Menu & Pairings:

  • Orange Mezcal Pulled Pork on Toasted Bread
    Paired with: 2022 Unoaked Chardonnay
    The zesty citrus in the wine cut beautifully through the smoky, sweet pork, while the lack of oak let the meat shine.

  • Gravlax on Cucumber with Sour Cream, Capers, and Egg
    Paired with: 2024 Semi-Dry Riesling
    Classic match! The slight sweetness and acidity of the Riesling complemented the salt and creaminess perfectly.

  • Grilled Asparagus & Celery Root Salad with Squash Seed Oil
    Paired with: 2024 Rosé of Pinot Noir (Wine Club Exclusive)
    This Rosé was one of my favorite wines of the evening—fresh, lightly floral, with strawberry and rosewater notes. A bright contrast to the earthy greens and nutty oil.

  • Adirondack Cheese with Brandied Apples
    Paired with: 2023 Merlot
    The merlot stole my heart—juicy, plush, and smooth with black cherry, cocoa, and baking spices. It matched the richness of the cheese and the sweet warmth of the apples seamlessly.

Sustainability at Fox Run: Rooted in Responsibility

At Fox Run Vineyards, sustainability isn’t a buzzword—it’s a deeply rooted commitment. From the vineyard to the tasting room, every choice reflects their respect for the land, water, and future generations of winemakers and wine lovers.

Fox Run proudly practices dry-farming, meaning the vines thrive without irrigation—encouraging deeper roots, healthier soil, and a true expression of terroir. Their vineyards are also cared for using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and enhanced with mycorrhizae fungi, which naturally expand the root systems and boost nutrient absorption.

To reduce erosion and build soil vigor, they plant deep-rooted rye grass between vineyard rows. Fox Run has also gone above and beyond by converting glass bottles into sand with their on-site bottle crusher, and they’ve created a 4-acre monarch butterfly and bee sanctuary to support local pollinators.

Since 2015, the winery has been powered by 100% solar energy, and they continue to minimize waste by using compostable tableware, recycling plastic wrap through Wegmans, and operating as a Certified Lake Friendly Farmer, ensuring their practices never harm the pristine waters of Seneca Lake.

Sustainability isn’t just part of the process at Fox Run—it’s a philosophy. And you can taste the care in every bottle.

This wasn’t just a wine tasting and media visit—it was a storytelling experience. Fox Run Vineyards reminded me why the Finger Lakes continues to impress sommeliers and wine lovers across the country. The hospitality, the precision in winemaking, and the intimate connection to the land are unmatched.

Thank you again to Craig, the entire Fox Run team: Scott and Ruth Osborn the incredible owners, and the fellow wine lovers I met that evening. Kicking off Riesling Camp like this was unforgettable. And yes, I’m still dreaming about that Merlot…

Planning a visit?
Make sure you stop in for a tasting or attend one of their special events. Better yet—join the wine club for access to exclusives like the Rosé of Pinot Noir.  Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly!