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.

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, such as minimizing fungal sprays, utilizing organic alternatives, and employing mechanical weed removal instead of synthetic herbicides—despite higher labor costs. Their vineyards are dry-farmed to conserve water, and pomace from winemaking is composted and returned to the soil. Solar panels further reduce the winery’s carbon footprint, making sustainability a cornerstone of their operations

Now in its fourth generation, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery remains a family-run beacon of innovation and tradition. The wines I received—the 2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Grüner Veltliner, the 2020 Dr. Konstantin Frank Brut Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Wine, and the 2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling —reflect a dedication to showcasing the Finger Lakes’ cool-climate viticulture. Each bottle tells a story of legacy, terroir, and meticulous craftsmanship.

Disclosure: Wines were provided as a media samples. No other compensation was received. All opinions are mine.

2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Grüner Veltliner

Austria’s flagship grape, Grüner Veltliner, finds a dynamic home in the Finger Lakes. This bottle highlights the region’s ability to produce distinctive, food-friendly whites.

100% Grüner Veltliner from NY Sustainable Vineyard Certified Seneca Estate, planted in 2007. Raised in stainless steel, No malolactic conversion

Pale straw color with guava, papaya, apricot, white pepper and a hint of flint aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with mouthwatering zesty acidity and guava, dried apricot, papaya, and candied lime zest flavors. 12% abv| SRP – $18.99. (90 pts.). It was lovely paired a Mediterranean Crunch Salad topped wtih Pan Seared Seabass.

2020 Dr. Konstantin Frank Brut Méthode Champenoise Sparkling Wine

In 1985 Dr. Konstanin Franck became the first Finger Lakes producer to make a traditional method sparkling wine from vinifera grapes. The wine is blend of 55% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 5% Pinot Meunier from their Kueka Lake vineyards. 2% of Pinot Noir was barrel fermented in French oak. Minimum of 30 months en tirage.

Pale straw gold color with baked apple, pear, brioche, lemon curd, white flower and a kiss of ginger aromas. On the palate, it’s dry and medium-bodied with a creamy mousse and baked red apple, pear, vanilla, Meyer lemon zest flavors with an appealing saline minerality. 12% abv|Dosage – 8 g/L RS|820 cases Produced|SRP – $29.99 (91 pts.)

2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling

100% Riesling from both Keuka (the oldest vine were planted in 1958!) and Seneca estate vineyard. Raised in stainless steel No malolactic conversion.

Very pale straw color with guava, Key lime, melon, green papaya, wet stone and very subtle petrol aromas. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied with zesty mouthwatering acidity and guava, lime zest, melon, and green papaya flavors accented with an appealing wet stone minerality. 12% abv| SRP – $18.99. (90 pts.)

Conclusion

Sampling these wines has deepened my appreciation for Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. They offer exceptional quality-to-price ratio and are always a welcome addition to my glass and at my table! Certainly tastng these wine piqued my curiosity about the Finger Lakes as a whole. The region’s vibrant, nuanced wines are a true reflection of their unique terroir, underscoring why the Finger Lakes continues to captivate wine enthusiasts nationwide.

For anyone looking to explore American wines beyond the well-trodden paths of California, Oregon, and Washington, the Finger Lakes offers a treasure trove of discovery. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, with its pioneering spirit and commitment to excellence, is the perfect gateway to this remarkable region.