Usonia is a Finger Lakes winery founded by Julia and Alex Alvarez-Perez, who met in 2012 while working in New York City restaurants. After several years as sommeliers and restaurant managers, they transitioned to winemaking, gaining experience in Austria’s Burgenland and Australia’s Adelaide Hills. They eventually returned to the East Coast and settled in the Finger Lakes, founding Usonia in 2019. In 2021, they began farming their own vineyard, New Suns, on the western shore of Cayuga Lake. Planted to Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and an expanding number of American hybrid varieties, the vineyard is farmed organically, a rarity in the region. In addition to their own fruit, they source from a small number of like-minded growers throughout the area. While they share responsibilities, Alex spends most of his time in the vineyard, while Julia serves as the primary winemaker. Inputs are minimal, with a light touch in the cellar resulting in the kinds of wines we get excited about, showing precision, energy, and freshness, with a clear sense of terroir. Frank Lloyd Wright coined the term "Usonia" to describe his vision of a distinctly American landscape, one that was democratic and free from Old World conventions. In that spirit, Julia and Alex are exploring the diverse possibilities of winemaking in New York State, producing classic expressions of Finger Lakes Riesling and Cabernet Franc alongside fresh, vibrant wines from hybrid varieties. Across the range, the wines show a strong sense of place and point to a bright future for Finger Lakes wine.