Finger Lakes Rise: Nova Cadamatre Drives Region Named American Wine Region of the Year
The first American female Master of Wine anchors a growing Finger Lakes scene as climate shifts and collaboration reshape New York viticulture
Wine Enthusiast named the Finger Lakes the American Wine Region of the Year, praising its world-class winemaking, sustainable practices and a collaborative community that Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office said has helped define New York as a global wine destination. The honor, announced as the region gains national visibility, underscores a shift from regional underdog to established powerhouse in American viticulture.
Nova Cadamatre, the first female Master of Wine in the United States, opened Trestle Thirty One winery in 2015 in New York's Finger Lakes with her husband, Brian. Cadamatre splits her time between the Finger Lakes and California's Napa Valley. 'Making wine in New York really forces you to be creative and very resourceful because the industry is not as well established as it is in California,' Cadamatre said. Cadamatre notes that climate change, while destabilizing other regions, has had a paradoxical effect in the Finger Lakes by nudging temperatures warmer and allowing more consistent ripening of a broader range of varieties. Her Engine Riesling is featured in the Fox News American Wine Club, and its Cabernet Franc is offered through the Fox News Wine Shop.
'We’re becoming warmer,' she said. 'We’re able to grow different varieties than we did 20 years ago and ripen them more consistently.' Cadamatre likens the region's trajectory to Napa's early ascent, saying, 'The Finger Lakes, right now, is kind of like where Napa was in the 1970s.'
Cadamatre views Engine Riesling as a regionwide ambassador, described as versatile for aperitifs, cheese boards and lighter red meats, while remaining dry enough to pair with a range of dishes. The Cabernet Franc from Trestle Thirty One also serves as a signal of the Finger Lakes' evolving identity as it gains wider distribution and recognition.
The Finger Lakes have surged from an underdog to an emerging powerhouse over the past two decades, with Wine Enthusiast’s praise underscoring a shift in consumer perception and industry investment. Cadamatre, who earned the Master of Wine title in 2017, said she is among roughly 432 people worldwide who hold the credential, the highest in the field. She earned her horticulture degree at SUNY Morrisville and has built a cross-coast career that anchors her in both regions.
Looking ahead, Cadamatre said she remains optimistic about the Finger Lakes' future, emphasizing continued collaboration among vintners, growers and educators as the region expands its lineup of varieties and styles while leveraging sustainable practices to compete on a national and international stage. She noted that the Finger Lakes’ weather includes precipitation throughout the year, including rain during the growing season, which adds complexity but also contributes to the region’s distinctive acidity and structure in wines.
The Wine Enthusiast recognition, paired with the persistence of a local winemaking community, has helped fuel investment in vineyards and tasting rooms across the region. Cadamatre’s cross-country presence, between the Finger Lakes and Napa Valley, has also helped bring attention to the area’s potential beyond traditional Riesling and Gewürztraminer styles, encouraging growers to experiment with varieties that can thrive in the changing climate. In interviews and public appearances, Cadamatre has framed the Finger Lakes as a place where craftsmanship, climate adaptation and collaborative spirit converge to redefine what New York wines can be on the national stage.
Cadamatre earned the Master of Wine title in 2017, a credential she describes as the pinnacle of wine education. 'Right now, there are about 432 of us in the world,' she said. Her path included formal study at SUNY Morrisville, where she earned a degree in horticulture, and decades of hands-on winemaking that culminated in a designation that few American vintners have achieved.
The broader cultural impact of the Finger Lakes’ ascent is being felt beyond winery walls. As producers like Cadamatre push for greater regional visibility, lodging, tourism and hospitality sectors have benefited from increased visitor traffic, tastings and events that celebrate New York’s diverse wine offerings. The region’s emergence also intersects with a growing national interest in sustainable agriculture and local economies, reinforcing the Finger Lakes as a cultural destination as well as a wine-producing hub.