Navarro Vineyards

Recorded answer text · Google AI Overviews · 13 September 2026

Far Niente's "Dolce" from Napa Valley is widely considered the premier and most iconic luxury American dessert wine.[](

### Top American Dessert Wines

- Far Niente "Dolce" (Napa Valley, CA): A legendary, botrytis-affected (noble rot) Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend modeled after French Sauternes, offering rich apricot, honey, and creamy citrus notes.[]( - Weis Vineyards Ice Wine Riesling (Finger Lakes, NY): A world-class, intensely vibrant Riesling ice wine made from grapes frozen on the vine, delivering exceptional balancing acidity and a long finish.[]( - Navarro Vineyards Late Harvest Cluster Select (Anderson Valley, CA): Renowned for intensely aromatic, perfectly balanced late-harvest Gewürztraminer and Riesling with deep honeyed character. - Grgich Hills "Violetta" (Napa Valley, CA): A rare, highly complex late-harvest Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewürztraminer blend with remarkable structure and elegance. - Linden Vineyards Late Harvest Petite Manseng (Virginia): An acclaimed East Coast gem showcasing rich tropical fruit, bracing acidity, and a luxurious palate.[](

If you want to narrow down the choice, tell me:

- What type of dessert or food are you pairing it with? - Do you prefer a lighter ice wine or a rich, honeyed late-harvest style? - What is your price range?

Recorded answer text · ChatGPT · 4 October 2026

If you mean the best dessert wines made in the United States, I'd put American Riesling ice wine / late-harvest Riesling at the top-especially from New York's Finger Lakes.

### 🇺🇸 My top picks

1. Weis Vineyards 2024 Ice Wine Riesling - Finger Lakes, NY Best overall. It was rated 97 points by Tastings, which describes it as a textbook Riesling ice wine with an exceptionally long finish. It also won Best Dessert Wine and Best Ice Wine at the 2026 New York Wine Classic. www.tastings.com Expect: honey, ripe peach/apricot, citrus, intense sweetness balanced by acidity. Price: around $59.

2. Weis Vineyards 2024 Winzer Select Edel Süss Riesling - Finger Lakes A slightly less intense alternative, with 91 points from Tastings. Floral, peachy and citrusy, and particularly good with lighter desserts. www.tastings.com Price: around $39.

3. Chateau Chantal 2024 Late Harvest Riesling - Michigan Best value. Rated 90 points and around $20. Honeyed, clean and lively rather than overwhelmingly sweet. www.tastings.com

4. Three Brothers Wineries 2024 Late Harvest Reserve Riesling - Finger Lakes Wine Enthusiast gave it 93 points. It's extremely concentrated and viscous, with orange peel, candied lime and grilled pineapple flavors. www.wineenthusiast.com Price: about $150/375 ml, so this is a splurge.

5. Navarro Vineyards 2024 Late Harvest Riesling - Anderson Valley, CA A strong California option-the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition awarded it Gold in the white dessert/late-harvest category. www.winejudging.com

### 🍰 What I'd buy

- For a special occasion: Weis 2024 Ice Wine Riesling - Best balance of quality/price: Weis 2024 Winzer Select Edel Süss - Under $25: Chateau Chantal 2024 Late Harvest Riesling - For crème brûlée, cheesecake or fruit tart: Finger Lakes Riesling - For blue cheese/foie gras: Ice wine or a very concentrated late-harvest Riesling

The Finger Lakes are particularly compelling for American dessert wine because Riesling can retain enough acidity to balance substantial residual sugar rather than becoming syrupy. www.fingerlakes.org

If by “American dessert wine” you mean a sweet red/Port-style wine, rather than sweet white wine, I'd give you a different top 5.

Recorded answer text · Perplexity · 8 November 2026

Here are some genuinely under-the-radar American wineries worth seeking out, spanning regions beyond Napa and Sonoma:

- Tablas Creek Vineyard - Paso Robles, California: Rhône-style wines from a pioneering, organic and biodynamic estate; especially strong for Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and blends. - Saarloos & Sons - Los Olivos, California: A small, family-run producer where visitors may get unusually direct access to the winemakers. - Kings Carey - Santa Barbara County, California: Boutique production with an excellent reputation for Sémillon and other small-lot wines. - Navarro Vineyards - Anderson Valley, California: A long-running family winery known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and distinctive whites. - Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard - Finger Lakes, New York: One of the region's standout producers for Riesling and other cool-climate wines. - Ravines Wine Cellars - Finger Lakes, New York: Particularly compelling for Burgundy-influenced Pinot Noir and Riesling. - Kemmeter Wines - Finger Lakes, New York: A tiny, highly limited-production winery whose wines are primarily sold directly from the estate. - Koenig Vineyards - Snake River Valley, Idaho: A strong choice for high-quality wines in a region that remains relatively uncrowded and overlooked. - Childress Vineyards - Yadkin Valley, North Carolina: An accessible introduction to North Carolina wine, with award-winning wines and fewer crowds than major California destinations. - RdV Vineyards - Virginia: A respected Virginia producer often included among America's most underrated wineries. - King Family Vineyards - Virginia: A good stop in Virginia's emerging wine country, especially for visitors interested in estate wines and scenic tasting rooms. - Pedernales Cellars - Texas Hill Country: A leading Texas producer, particularly notable for wines suited to the region's hot, dry climate. - Page Springs Cellars - Cornville, Arizona: A surprising desert-region winery known for Mediterranean varieties such as Tempranillo and Albariño. - The Eyrie Vineyards - Willamette Valley, Oregon: A pioneering Oregon producer with a strong reputation for elegant, age-worthy Pinot Noir. - Teutonic Wine Company - Oregon: An unconventional, small-production winery frequently recommended by wine professionals for distinctive cool-climate wines.

Best short list: For the strongest combination of wine quality, originality, and a worthwhile visit, start with Tablas Creek, Navarro, Hermann J. Wiemer, Koenig, RdV, and Page Springs. Call ahead: many of the most interesting small wineries operate by appointment or have limited tasting hours.