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.
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New York » Finger Lakes
The 2018 vintage showed how much weather conditions can change during the growing season. Budbreak and flowering were a bit late, beginning in June. July
8dNew York » Keuka Lake
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
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
8cNew York » Keuka Lake
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
Wine & Spirits 90 "Brisk, lemony and thoroughly refreshing, this sparkler’s ripe pear flavors and mild pear-skin finish would merit a pairing with miso-glazed chicken. It’s
" 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
Robert Parker 90 "The 2013 Pinot Noir “Old Vines” was aged for 18 months in an 80/20 mixture of French and Hungarian oak (20% new, the rest
" A crisp acidity and characteristic Keuka Lake minerality enhance the lively lemon, green apple and floral notes of this wine. " ~ Winery notes
" From an excellent vintage, the fruit aromas of this wine really shine. Characterized by notes of fresh pineapple, dried apricot and honeysuckle. Finishes with
Winery Notes Fleur de Pinot Noir is a non-vintage Pinot made from the fruit of our younger vines. It's a lovely garnet color, with aromas of
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
Wine Advocate 90 "The 2013 Dry Riesling has 12.5% alcohol and 4 grams per liter of residual sugar–pretty much allowing it to show quite dry and
Beverage Testing Institute 90 " Creamy apple custard and peach tart aromas. Lively, almost spritzy entry, racy citrusy acidity with good length and an minerally lingering
" The 2013 Gewürztraminer shines with dominant characters of sweet citrus, stone fruits, spices and floral notes. " ~ Winery notes
"There are vicious rumors to the effect that we can't grow really good Cabernet Sauvignon in this area. After tasting the vintage Cabernet you'll agree
Winery Notes The Pinot Noir, produced from the oldest Pinot Noir vineyards in New York State, is one of the reasons why winemaking is considered an
"The nose presents a combination of blackberry, raisin, prune and apricot aromas that lengthen with oaky and spicy tones. On the palate, this wine
Winery Notes
Premi?re Blush is a lucious blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with Riesling juice added for sweetness and perfume. The aroma is lovely--strawberries and
Winery Notes
The Chateau Frank Brut Champagne is a delicious French-style Champagne, nutty, toasty and creamy. Willy has the original plantings of Pinot Meunier, used in
" This sparkling wine, made in the traditional dry French Rosé style, consists of 100% estate grown Pinot Meunier grapes. This Crémant style Rosé offers
"This is a rich and complex sparkling wine with great structure and length. With aromas of pear, apple, peach, vanilla and hazelnut that combine with the
