Keuka Lake Wine Trail News

Taste Riesling from Seven Keuka Lake Wineries at Rendezvous with Riesling!

The second annual Rendezvous with Riesling event at the New York Wine and Culinary Center, on May 8, 2008 from 7-10pm, is a center-wide celebration and tasting of New York's signature wine varietal. Tour the state-of-the-art facility, taste Riesling and other wines from across New York State, sample foods that pair with Riesling and are grown or produced in New York State, and enjoy live music. Participating Keuka Lake wineries include Dr. Frank, Heron Hill, Hunt Country, Keuka Spring, McGregor, Ravines, and Rooster Hill. Special guest Kevin Zraly, best-selling author of Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, will be on hand for the evening. Join Kevin for a special "One Hour Riesling Expert" class presentation and Riesling tasting from 7:45-8:45pm. Kevin will be featuring wines from Dr. Frank and Heron Hill. Register at www.nywcc.com or call (585) 394-7070.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Dr. Frank's 2006 Dry Riesling receives ground
breaking 92 Rating!

Hammondsport, New York - April 9, 2008 - Dr. Frank's 2006 Dry
Riesling received a 92 rating in Wine & Spirits Magazine. This is
the highest rating the winery has ever received! This highly
decorated wine has already won 9 Gold Medals and two Best of Class
Awards. The 92 rating is truly a testament to the continuous quality
of Dr. Frank's Wines.

This Dry Riesling, presenting a green gold hue, displays the
traditional qualities of Dr. Frank's Riesling: crisp acidity, a
pronounced mineral character and layers of fruit aromas. Descriptors
include honeysuckle, apple, pear, quince and a lot of minerality
resulting from the slate terroir of the vineyard. The ripeness of
the grapes resulted in a great texture with a lingering fruity
aftertaste.

Frederick Frank, third generation president of the winery comments,
"The Dr. Frank Dry Riesling is a true champion for the Finger Lakes,
receiving the highest rating for our winery and region. This will
convince wine connoisseurs around the country that the Finger Lakes
is the best Riesling region in the U.S."

Located on Keuka Lake a few miles north of Hammondsport, Dr. Frank's
has long been associated with the New York wine revolution. Its
founder, Dr. Konstantin Frank, helped pioneer the introduction of the
European vitis vinifera grapevines in the eastern United States. For
his contributions in the American wine industry he was inducted into
the Wine Spectator's "Hall of Fame". Now in its third generation,
Dr. Frank's continues as New York's most award-winning winery. For
more information, please contact Frederick Frank at (800) 320-0735 or
visit the website at www.drfrankwines.com.

WINE MAGAZINE TOASTS ROOSTER HILL CHARDONNAY

Rooster Hill Vineyards in Penn Yan is starting the new year off right with something to crow about.
The Keuka Lake winery's 2006 Chardonnay received a score of 85 from the Wine Enthusiast editors and will be featured in the April 2008 issue of the magazine and on the magazine's online home page as the Wine of the Month. Go to WineEnthusiast.com and click on Magazine.

Winery owner Amy Hoffman said the winery's goal from the beginning has been to produce high-quality wines. "Wine Enthusiast's selection of our Chardonnay is evidence of our success," she added.

Wine Enthusiast's online buying guide said of the Rooster Hill Chardonnay: "Fresh toast, wooded spice on the nose is friendly and appealing. On the palate, it works too, with its playful balance of layered spice oak and fresh acidity. The wine will appeal to fans of both oaked and unoaked Chardonnay; and will make a nice addition to the table.''

Rooster Hill Vineyards is located on Route 54 south of the Yates County village of Penn Yan. The winery's Tuscan-inspired tasting room overlooks beautiful Keuka Lake. The 2006 Chardonnay can be purchased at the winery or online at www.roosterhill.com.

Wine Enthusiast maintains an online electronic buying guide and the 2006 Rooster Hill Chardonnay will appear in the guide with its rating and review for six months with a hyperlink to the winery's Web site at www.roosterhill.com.

A team of experienced editors based in New York, California, Washington, France and Italy produce the Wine Enthusiast Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Online. Their mission is "to taste, enjoy, and communicate our love of the best wines, spirits and food in the world to readers in a fun, fresh and accessible way."
Rooster Hill is open through the spring, summer and fall. For more information about the 2006 Chardonnay or other Rooster Hill wines, call (315) 536-4773 or e-mail info@roosterhill.com.

WINE SPECTATOR RAVES OVER FINGER LAKES RIESLING

Wine Spectator Online is cheering for Riesling this week, Finger Lakes Rieslings, that is.
On Monday, the online magazine rated the 2006 vintages of Rooster Hill and five other local wineries as "very good dry Rieslings from New York's Finger Lakes region.''
Winery owner Amy Hoffman said the Wine Spectator's high praise for Rooster Hill and other local wineries shows that the the quality of Finger Lakes wines is gaining recognition. "When the nation's top wine magazine highlights Rooster Hill's Riesling, it's a sure sign of our success," Hoffman said.
The Rooster Hill Dry Riesling received a score of 86 from Wine Spectator. The magazine's James Molesworth described the wine as: "Plump for a dry version, with hints of pear and quince behind the typical slate and green apple notes. Nice hint of fennel on the finish.''
In Monday's posting, Molesworth said he took a comprehensive look at American wines from states other than California, Oregon and Washington and found that results were mixed. "The lone consistent bright spot was the Finger Lakes region of New York,'' he wrote, adding that Riesling is the region's "lead varietal, qualitatively speaking.''

Along with Rooster Hill's vintage, this week's posting rated 2006 dry Rieslings from Anthony Road, Atwater Estate, Red Newt Cellars, Belhurst Estate and Buttonwood Grove wineries. The magazine also plans a report on sweeter Rieslings of the region this week.

The Rooster Hill 2006 Dry Riesling is available at the winery, on Route 54 south of the Yates County village of Penn Yan. It can be purchased at the winery or online at www.roosterhill.com.

Rooster Hill is open through spring, summer and fall. For more information about the 2006 Dry Riesling or other Rooster Hill wines, call (315) 536-4773 or e-mail info@roosterhill.com

The members of the Keuka Lake Wine Trail are delighted to announce the addition of two wineries, Ravines Wine Cellars and Stever Hill Vineyards.

Ravines Wine Cellars is owned by Lisa and Morten Hallgren of Penn Yan, and is located on Route 54, about halfway down the Eastside of the lake in Keuka Village. This Provençal-style boutique winery specializes in dry European-style wines and often pairs their wines in-house with cuisine produced with locally grown ingredients. For more information, please visit www.ravineswinecellars.com.

Stever Hill Vineyards is located on Stever Hill Road in Branchport, the Northern tip on the Westside of Keuka Lake. Owners, Terry and Kelley Nesbit have a 100-year history of grape farming. As the fourth generation of farmers, they restored their barn that was originally built in the mid-1800's and is now home to their winery. Stop by for a visit, they would love to see you! Visit them online at www.steverhillvineyard.com.

The Keuka Lake Wine Trial consists of 9 of the Finger Lakes most celebrated wineries, all extremely unique in their own way. The additional trail members are Keuka Spring Vineyards, Rooster Hill Vineyards, Barrington Cellars, McGregor Vineyard Winery, Heron Hill Winery, Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars and Hunt Country Vineyards.

The Keuka Lake Wine Trail has eight scheduled events throughout the year, each emphasizing the marriage of wine with food. Tickets range from $20-$35/person with 25% discount for a designated driver. Each event is centered around a unique theme and can include an additional favor. Tickets may be purchased online at www.keukawinetrail.com, at any member winery, by visiting Wegmans Food Markets or by calling 800.440.4898. For email updates and discount coupons, join our e-club by visiting our homepage.

Chateau Frank brought
home one Double Gold Medal and three Gold Medals at November's
American Wine Society Competition! Chateau Frank is the sister
winery to Dr. Konstantin Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars and was
started by Dr. Frank's son, Willy. While Dr. Konstantin Frank
pioneered growing the noble European grape varieties in New York,
Willy Frank spearheaded New York's sparkling wine revolution using
traditional methods and classic grapes. Chateau Frank's award
winning sparkling wines have been served at the White House, New
York's Governor's Mansion and presented on the Regis and Kelly show.

Chateau Frank led the way bringing home more Gold Medals than any
other New York State Winery! Chateau Frank 2000 Blanc de Noirs was
awarded a Gold Medal at the American Wine Society Competition. This
Finger Lakes Champagne also won "Best of Category for Sparkling Wine"
at the New York State Fair along with five other Gold Medals at other
competitions. With aromas of pear, apple, vanilla and hazelnut that
combine with the toasty yeast character, persistent foam and tiny
bubbles, this style of sparkling wine makes for a perfect
accompaniment to a holiday celebration.

Chateau Frank 2000 Blanc de Blancs received a Gold Medal at the
American Wine Society Competition along with four other Gold Medals
at other competitions. It was also named #1 in the category of "Most
Exciting or Unusual Finds" in Wine Report 2008: "The best sparkling
wine I tasted from the Northeast - a fitting tribute to the late
Willy Frank." November's Draft Magazine highlighted the Blanc de
Blancs; "One of the classic sparkling wines to emerge from the Finger
Lakes, this golden-color wine is dry with hints of pear and a touch
of pineapple." Just in time for holiday entertaining, this medium-
bodied champagne has a crisp acidity accompanied by complex aromas of
yeast, citrus, lemon, ginger, floral and hazelnut.

The Cremant style Celebre Rose won a Gold Medal at the American Wine
Society Commercial Wine Competition. Not to be outdone, Chateau Frank
Celebre took home a prestigious Double Gold Medal at the American
Wine Society Commercial Wine Competition. The Celebre is a
delicious, fruity, easy to drink sparkling wine. It's the perfect
holiday refreshment with apple, honey and spicy aromas accompanied by
a solid acidic backbone giving this wine great balance and fruit.

Located on Keuka Lake a few miles north of Hammondsport, Dr. Frank's
has long been associated with the New York wine revolution. Its
founder, Dr. Konstantin Frank, was the first to cultivate the
European vitis vinifera grapevines in the eastern United States, the
varieties used in virtually all of the world's finest wines.

Dr. Frank's Wins Six Gold Medals at the
Tasters Guild International!

Hammondsport, New York - May 14, 2007 - Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera
Wine Cellar and Chateau Frank have won six Gold Medals at the Tasters
Guild International this spring! Established in 1987, the Taster's
Guild is dedicated to the education, appreciation and responsible use
of wine and food. The six award-winners include: 2006 Dry Riesling,
2006 Semi Dry Riesling, 2006 Rkatsiteli, 2006 Gewurztraminer, 2004
Chardonnay, Chateau Frank 2000 Blanc de Blancs and Chateau Frank 2000
Blanc de Noirs.

The Senior Wine Editor for Food & Wine, Ray Isle, participated in a
wine tasting that lined up six Finger Lakes Rieslings against six
Rieslings from other top Riesling regions. Dr. Frank's Dry Riesling
was one of his favorites. Ray described it as "Pure and lovely, with
floral and quince notes in the aroma, substantial but not weighty
fruit and a precise minerally end."

Wine & Spirits 100 Top Values of the Year issue this June, featured
Dr. Frank's Dry Riesling in the Critics' Picks article. Joshua Green
chose the Dry Riesling as one of his top picks from his local wine
shop in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. He was looking for a great
wine for an August afternoon, finding Dr. Frank's Dry Riesling,
explaining it as "A fresh white from the Finger Lakes in New York
State."

The winery has also released three new vintages! The 2006 Pinot Gris
has delicate aromas of lemon, fennel and cherry blossoms that delight
the senses and draw you towards a soft fruity taste with a dry zesty
finish. Chateau Frank has released a 2002 Brut. This wine shows
great complexity with layers of fruit, floral notes, fresh dough,
mineral characters, and an enduring creamy finish. Chateau Frank
also released the 2000 Blanc de Blancs, this award winning sparkling
wine has a crisp acidity accompanied by complex aromas of yeast,
citrus, lemon, ginger, floral and hazelnut.

Located on Keuka Lake a few miles north of Hammondsport, Dr. Frank's
has long been associated with the New York wine revolution. Its
founder, Dr. Konstantin Frank, was the first to cultivate the
European vitis vinifera grapevines in the eastern United States, the
varieties used in virtually all of the world's finest wines. For
more information, please contact Frederick Frank at (800) 320-0735 or
visit the website at www.drfrankwines.com.