The Finger Lakes region has steadily gained national attention for its world-class wines, and I am thrilled to share my first exploration of this vibrant wine destination. Receiving samples from Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, a cornerstone of American viticulture, feels like an invitation to delve into a legacy that shaped the region’s success.
Dr. Konstantin Frank’s journey is a testament to resilience and vision. Born in Ukraine, he endured two World Wars and the Russian Revolution before emigrating to the United States in 1951. Armed with a doctoral thesis on cultivating Vitis vinifera grapes in cold climates, he brought groundbreaking ideas to American winemaking. In 1962, he founded his eponymous winery in the Finger Lakes, where just 12 wineries dotted the landscape. Today, his pioneering efforts have helped transform the region into a thriving hub of over 400 wineries producing wines of exceptional quality.
Estate vineyard at sunset. Image courtesy of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
The winery owns over 150 acres of estate vineyards on Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. These glacial lakes play a crucial role in moderating the region’s climate: retaining warmth in autumn and winter to prevent extreme cold damage, while providing cooling effects during the summer to temper heat extremes. They cultivate 14 grape varieties, and with over 25 year of age, their predominately old vines yield smaller berries, resulting in greater structure and complexity.
The winery also prioritizes sustainability, following the VineBalance program developed by Cornell University. This initiative promotes environmentally friendly practices,
This Article was originally published on ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
