The Legacy of Dr. Konstantin Frank Dr. Konstantin Frank ignited the "Vinifera Revolution" a movement that forever changed the course of wine growing in the Finger Lakes and the United States. Dr. Frank's vision, knowledge and determination are credited with elevating the New York wine industry from a state of happy mediocrity to a level that today commands world attention. A European immigrant, Dr. Frank and his family arrived in the United States in 1951. After a brief stay in New York City, Dr. Frank, a professor of plant sciences who held a Ph.D. in viticulture, moved upstate to take a position at Cornell University's Geneva Experiment Station. Dr. Frank believed from his years in the Ukraine that the lack of proper rootstock, not the cold climate, was the reason for the failure of Vitis Vinifera vines in the Finger Lakes region. He continued to promote his beliefs and to seek a sympathetic ear, which he found in Charles Fournier, a French champagne maker and president of nearby Gold Seal Vineyards. Communicating in French, Dr. Frank revealed his research for growing the delicate European vinifera grape varieties in cold climates. For the first time the Northeastern United States could produce European varieties of wines. In 1962, merely a decade after arriving in America, Dr. Frank founded Vinifera Wine Cellars. The winery quickly earned a reputation for spectacular Rieslings and its original planting of vines formed the backbone of New York's world-class wines and champagnes.
8dNew York » Keuka Lake
A subtle style with notes of minerality, grapefruit, lime, candied citrus and soft apricot. The crisp lime-driven acidity enhances the distinct Keuka Lake minerality, rounded
8dNew York » Finger Lakes
Wine Advocate 90 The 2019 Semi-Dry Riesling comes in with 11.5 alcohol, 22 grams per liter of residual sugar and seven grams of total acidity.
8cNew York » Keuka Lake
Winemaker Notes Clean and delicate on the nose with white flowers, orange zest, and lychee, with a touch of white pepper and ginger. This off-dry wine
10505ANew York » Finger Lakes
Wine & Spirits 90 "Brisk, lemony and thoroughly refreshing, this sparklers ripe pear flavors and mild pear-skin finish would merit a pairing with miso-glazed chicken. Its
8cNew York » Keuka Lake
"Dr. Frank Vintage Chardonnay, entices with rich nuances of pear, vanilla and almond. The mouth is a field of butter and vanilla with a luxuriously
Wine Advocate 89 The 2016 Cabernet Franc was aged for 18 months in well-used French oak. It comes in at 13.3% alcohol. This puts it all
Wine Enthusiast 91 Bright, fruity aromas of mango and pineapple are lifted by zesty accents of lime peel and juiced ginger on the nose. The palate
An expressive style with dominant characters of minerality, grapefruit, lime and soft apricot. The crisp lime-driven acidity enhances the distinct Keuka Lake minerality, rounded by
" A crisp acidity and characteristic Keuka Lake minerality enhance the lively lemon, green apple and floral notes of this wine. " ~ Winery notes
" Dr. Konstantin Frank Semi-Dry Riesling, has anose of orange blossom, lavender and pear make this wine irrestible. The vibrant mouth feel of this wine
" Dr. Frank Vintage Chardonnay, entices with rich nuances of pear, vanilla and almond. The mouth is a field of butter and vanilla with a
Wine & Spirits 91 A gewurz that flirts with the herbal and walks away with its dignity intact, this wine has a lovely balance between a
" From an excellent vintage, the fruit aromas of this wine really shine. Characterized by notes of fresh pineapple, dried apricot and honeysuckle. Finishes with
" Medium intensity with dominant characters of spice, honey and rose with citrus undertones. The time on skins and the yeast used add palate
"Gruner Veltliner, the great white wine of Austria, finds another happy home in New York's Finger Lakes wine region. Dr. Konstantin's Gruner Veltliner is an
" A nose of orange blossom, lavender and pear make this wine irrestible. The vibrant mouth feel of this wine reveals flavors of apple, peach,
" A crisp acidity and characteristic Keuka Lake minerality enhance the lively lemon, green apple and floral notes of this wine. " ~ Winery notes
"Gruner Veltliner, the great white wine of Austria, finds another happy home in New York's Finger Lakes wine region. Dr. Konstantin's Gruner Veltliner is an
"The fruit was picked in the early morning to retain freshness and fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. The fermentation was stopped before
"Medium intensity with dominant characters of spice, honey, rose with citrus undertones . The time on skins and the yeast used add palate weight and
"Expressive style with dominant characters of grapefruit, lime and star fruit notes. The crisp acidity enhances the distinct Keuka Lake minerality. All elements are perfectly
" From an excellent vintage, the fruit aromas of this wine really shine. Characterized by notes of fresh pineapple, dried apricot and honeysuckle. Finishes with
Wine Advocate 90 "The 2014 Semi-Dry Riesling is sourced from the winery's Seneca Lake vines (unlike the Dry Riesling). It comes in at 24 grams per
Beverage Testing Institute 90 " Exemplifies characteristic Keuka Lake minerality with well integrated notes of sweet citrus, stone fruit, floral and a signature spicy finish. "