Jen P.
Yelp
Wasn't sure if I should post this under Ravines Wine Cellar or under the Ravinous Kitchen, so this review might be making appearances in both....
My husband and I have been to Ravines Wine Cellars several times since 'discovering them' during a special farm-to-table dinner and wine pairing at Good Luck a few years back. That night we enjoyed a 5-course meal and each course was paired with a different wine. It was the first time we ever experienced drinking finger lakes wines that we really enjoyed and could see ourselves buying for private consumption!
Shortly after that, we made the trip out to the wine cellar in Geneva to do a tasting. On our first trip, we did the wine and cheese tasting - loved everything and went home with a bottle of Meritage. On the second trip, we did the wine and chocolate tasting (which features chocolates from Hedonist) and came home with a bottle of the Vignoles. Fast forward another couple of years and we took advantage of a holiday event which featured food pairing tastings from Brown Hound Bistro at the Ravines location in Hammondsport. We left with several bottles of wine for holiday gifts. Every experience was great, with friendly and knowledgeable people, enjoyable atmospheres and yummy goodness.
Most recently, I was lucky to attend a special dinner at the Ravinous Kitchen as part of a company event. There were 12 of us for a 6-course meal on a Sunday evening (usually they are closed at this time). Included was a tour of the winery and wine cellar, with time spent with the owner and the head chef. It was amazing. The chef prepared really, really delicious dishes for each wine:
--We started with glasses of their 2009 sparkling Brut Rose which was delicious. Paired with a bacon puff and served with herbed crème fresh, this was a lovely little bite.
--Next, while we were in the cellar, we were served a parsnip bisque with caramelized cheese. We ate that while tasting their 'new' 2015 Meritage right out of the barrel. It was cool in the cellar and the bisque and wine was a perfect little warm up.
--First of the 'mains' was a large serving of local Lively Run chevre, with a side of kale and some pomegranate drizzle, served with their 2015 dry Riesling. They also gave each of us a fresh baked roll, and mine was gluten free - the most perfect gluten free roll I've ever had - truly crusty and 'French-bread-like'. I could have died happy after eating this course.
--Second 'main' was a stuffed squash with some kind of spinach or creamed green inside. This was doused in brown butter and served with a smear of red miso. The dish was served with their 2013 Pinot Noir. Holy deliciousness. Unlike any squash dish I've ever had, this was definitely the table favorite. Super savory and umami, great depth. Super yum.
--Final 'main' was braised beef short rib served with shaved brussels sprouts and a mushroom 'cream' made by roasting a medley of mushrooms and pureeing them with cream. This dish was served with au jus and the 2013 Maximilian red. A rich, delicious combination. I have to admit at this point I was over the top stuffed, but even so, when the chef brought out extra servings of the short ribs, I forced myself to have a bit more. The au jus was delicious and the meat was totally fall-apart tender. So good.
--For dessert, we were served a butterscotch 'risotto' - basically a rice pudding with white chocolate, apricots and toasted oats. This was served with the Vignoles. Take a bite and a swig and swirl them in your mouth - flavor explosion! I really love the Vignoles. Even those at the table who are not fans of dessert wines/ports/ice wines drank every drop! (Too bad because I was offering to finish whatever anyone wasn't going to drink, but no takers....)
Ravines is definitely at the tippy top of my list of favorite wineries and experiences in the finger lakes. And with all the new awesome eateries in Geneva and the focus on making the little college town a foodie destination, I highly recommend you join the Ravinous club, rent an Airbnb and go there to spend a weekend of eating, drinking and merriment!