An Artistic Label Now Adorns Silver Thread Good Earth Wines
Our Good Earth wines are getting a little makeover, both on the label AND the palate!
We’re excited to release the 2024 Silver Thread Good Earth White, an Aravelle & Cayuga blend… and our first ever wine featuring 100% organically-grown, Cornell-developed hybrids!
We planted Aravelle, Cayuga, and Regent (a German hybrid) in May of 2022. You may recall we had near-drought conditions that summer, which meant we were out there hand-watering these precious, baby vines. Despite the variety of weather events we’ve had over the past few years, we remain committed to growing our hybrids organically, and have had success in doing so thus far!
Cayuga clusters on the vine in the organic Good Earth block at Silver Thread Vineyard.
Aravelle grapes from the 2024 harvest.
Aravelle (NY81) was officially named in March of 2024 by Dr. Bruce Reisch, who spent all 42 years of his career working on this Cayuga/Riesling cross. Aravelle stands for “grace” or “favor,” which makes sense considering it was bred specifically to thrive in the humid uncertainty of the Finger Lakes region.
Cayuga (NY45) was initially crafted in 1945 though it wasn’t widely released until 1972. A cross between two hybrids – Schuyler and Seyval Blanc – this versatile grape can be used to make anything from dry, aromatic wine to sweeter, late harvest styles.
Our 2024 Good Earth White is 80% Aravelle, a grape that – on its’ own – has a spiciness to it, not unlike a Gewurztraminer grape. The Aravelle was hand-picked and fermented with ambient yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The Cayuga (the remaining 20% of the blend) was skin-fermented with ambient yeasts in a neutral oak barrique.
Former Assistant Winemaker Bruce with Cayuga fermenting on skins.
The blend showcases the bright fruitiness of Aravelle and a grippy texture from the skin-fermented Cayuga.
As for the label makeover… drum roll please… the Good Earth wines will feature art labels going forward!
Good Earth White label art by Karen Gilman.
This painting by local artist (and retired Dano’s Heuriger co-owner) Karen Gilman features a view of our vineyard overlooking Seneca Lake. It emphasizes the connection between art and nature that is essential to making great wine!
The dry, medium-bodied 2024 Good Earth White is smooth and low-acid, with an ABV of just 10.6%. It’s currently available to taste at the Winegarden, and will be featured alongside the salad course in our 2025 Anniversary Dinner. Book your tickets now!
