About Silver Thread

Silver Thread Vineyard was established in the early 1980s on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, at the heart of New York's Finger Lakes region. At this location the bottom of the lake drops almost 200 feet below sea level, a dramatic mass of water that creates a distinct microclimate on the leeward (eastern) hillside — cooling breezes in summer, radiating warmth through the winter, and extending the length of the growing season. On this hillside 250 years ago the Iroquois people tended huge peach orchards, a testament to this temperate 'island' within a cool region.

The vineyard was originally planted exclusively with the classic European grape varieties Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. From the beginning the concept has been a small estate vineyard (currently about 10 acres) and an artisan wine cellar focusing on a few dry varietal table wines. Over the years, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grünerveltliner have been added to the vineyard.

In the late 1980s the vineyard shifted to the practices of sustainable farming, seeking to work in harmony with the natural ecosystem. We use mulch, compost and cover crops instead of chemical fertilizers, to provide our vines with a healthy, living soil. This strengthens the link between the wine and its terroir, the special character of its site. We use no herbicides and limit the use of synthetic pesticides in favor of naturally occurring sprays including elemental sulfur, seaweed extract, fish emulsion, and a tea made on the farm from the horsetail plant. The vines are intensively managed, pruned and harvested by hand.

Similarly, Silver Thread wines are minimally processed in a low-tech, traditional cellar. Built in 1995, the winery is set into the hillside for natural temperature control and to take advantage of gravity flow in the winemaking process. Water is also gravity fed to the winery from a spring next to the vineyard. Like the vineyard, the winery is designed to work within natural systems. The wines ferment at ambient temperature without refrigeration, in some cases with wild yeast, and clarify through natural settling and racking. We use no chemical additives or processing aids. We do sometimes use natural materials for light fining and filtration, and we do add small amounts of sulfur dioxide to the wines for stability.

The turtle image on our label was carved in a rock beside one of New York's woodland creeks by a Native American artist many centuries ago. As an earth symbol to the Iroquois people, the turtle reminds us to care for the land and water that give us the gift of wine.

Where to Find the Wines

Come visit the winery for tasting and sales on Saturdays and Sundays from noon till 5 PM, Memorial Day weekend till the weekend before Thanksgiving, or at other times by appointment. We're located about midway between the villages of Lodi and Valois on the east side of Seneca Lake. Turn west off Route 414 onto Caywood Road and follow the signs about 3/4 mile. Take a walk in the vineyard, bring a picnic lunch, listen to the birds.

Some wines are available in selected restaurants and wine shops around the state. Call or e-mail for locations or more information.

What They're Saying About Silver Thread

The Wine Spectator, Sept. 1995
"Silver Thread's vineyard may be small but it could eventually have an enormous impact on quality throughout the region... Visitors should listen closely to this congenial viticulture guru, whose wines reflect the quality of his vineyards."

The New York Times on the Web, April 2001
"Silver Thread produces a mere 1,500 cases of wine, including the Finger Lakes' best Riesling and an age worthy Pinot Noir."

Ithaca Journal, July 2001
"Indeed, if one were to characterize Silver Thread's pinot noir performances throughout the decade of the '90s, consistently good to excellent would be a fair assessment.”

Travel & Leisure, January 2002
"Find the gravel road to Silver Thread Vineyard, where organics enthusiast Richard Figiel makes a mineral-rich Riesling and Burgundy-like Pinot."

Wine Enthusiast, March 2002
"Silver Thread 1999 Reserve Chardonnay (Finger Lakes): A breakthrough Chardonnay from upstate New York. Aromas of toasted nuts and buttered spiced pears are classic, with flavors of cinnamon, pears and cashews that feel custardy in the mouth. Finishes long, with tangy acids and nutty overtones. Editors' Choice. — 90"

Gourmet, July 2005
"The Finger Lakes region is home to more that 75 wineries. Among those we wouldn't miss [four named]... the intimate Silver Thread Vineyard, where Richard Figiel uses biodynamic farming to make his much-lauded wines."

The Wine Advocate, June 2006
"The Chardonnay at Silver Thread is polished, juicy, and satisfying, and several other wines were considerably more interesting... 2002 Riesling - an excellent value - smells of spiced apple and fresh grapefruit. Lively in the mouth, faintly oily in texture, and with notes of grapefruit rind, diverse spices, and vanilla, this finishes with fine persistence."

The New York Times Style Magazine, September 2006
"You can sample complex Burgundy-style pinot noir at the tidy Silver Thread Vineyard owned by the former wine writer Richard Figiel."

Wine & Spirits, April 2007
"Silver Thread's marrowy, positively carnal, rich and expansive 2002 is proof that there is life for American pinot noir beyond mere fruits and berries... the Blackbird - a blend of two-thirds cabemet franc with one-third cabernet sauvignon - offers nutty, almost roasted richness, deep cassis fruit and silken texture. It proves the potential of franc in the Finger Lakes."

Current Releases

Chardonnay 2005 - $17.00
From a superior vintage; barrel fermented in French oak and aged on the lees in the traditional French Burgundian style. Complex, with fine structure.

Gewürztraminer 2006 - $15.00
Fresh aromatics. Spicy-floral varietal character; dry, light with a soft mouthfeel. Long finish.

Dry Riesling 2006 - $17.00
Bright floral aromas. Lively on the tongue, with lime and mineral flavors; 0.6% residual sweetness highlights fruit but finishes crisp, food-oriented.

Good Earth Red 2006 - $15.00 A light-bodied, dry, fruity red blend in the style of French Beaujolais.

Blackbird 2006 - $22.00
A blend of two-thirds Cabemet Franc, one-third Cabemet Sauvignon. Deep, rich blackberry aromas and flavors with a nutty, oak-aged patina.

Pinot Noir 2005 - $22.00
Complex aromatics. Medium-bodied, rich flavors of black cherry, plum, mushroom, herbal. Unfined. Unfiltered. Light tannins for aging.

Purchasing Wine

Silver Thread wines can be ordered direct from the wine cellar by phone, mail or e-mail, for delivery via UPS anywhere within New York State. Orders going to out-of-state addresses can be placed through Northside Wines & Spirits at their website www.northsidewine.com or call 607-273-7500 Ext. 236.

Discounts on Orders from Winery:
5% for 3-5 bottles
10% for 6-11 bottles
15% for 12-bottle case

Shipping from Winery (to NY State addresses only): $9 partial case, $14 full case

Silver Thread Vineyard is a member of the Finger Lakes Wine Guild, a group of wineries focused on the production of world class wines from classic European grape varieties.