Meet the Maker: Ben Riccardi, Osmote
FROM CLASSICS TO HYBRIDS IN THE FINGER LAKES.
We’re so excited to share this interview with our friend Ben Riccardi of Osmote, where we catch up with him in the Finger Lakes on all things: classic grapes, old vines, hybrids, and why this corner of New York is one of the most exciting wine regions around.
Ben grew up here, but he’s seen a lot of the wine world—France, Chile, New Zealand, California—and came back convinced the Finger Lakes could hold its own. And he’s sure proven that with Osmote.
He works with local classics like Chardonnay and Cab Franc, but he’s also a big believer in the region’s old-school hybrids grapes like DeChaunac and Marquette that have been growing here for decades. In Ben’s hands, these aren't just “alternative” varieties, they're expressive, complex, and deeply rooted in the history and spirit of the Finger Lakes.
Whether working with a classic or hybrid, Ben crafts wines that are fresh, thoughtful and unmistakably Finger Lakes— a reflection of the region's exciting potential.
GET THE WINES:
Osmote, Cayuga Lake Chardonnay - 2023
Osmote, Long Island Chardonnay - 2023
Osmote, Seneca Lake Riesling - 2019