“The most challenging aspect to making wine in Finger Lakes is that you have to be a bit crazy,” says Meaghan Frank, fourth-generation winemaker at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. “You need ingenuity, and that makes it thrilling. The uncertainty [of the cold climate] makes people stand on their toes.”
Dr Frank Winery Finger Lakes has been around since Meaghan’s great-grandfather immigrated from Soviet Ukraine in the 1950s–to stand on his toes above Keuka Lake. Since then, it has evolved into one of the most acclaimed and best Finger Lakes wineries.
As the winemaker spoke about the challenges and pleasures of grape growing in northern climes, I enjoyed Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery Rkatsiteli 2019. We discussed the Finger Lakes wine region during a Zoom wine tasting in 2020.
It was the first time I’d tasted the Rkatsiteli (pronounced Ar KATS it Telli) grape from Georgia, a former Soviet republic. The varietal is the oldest known in the world and dates to 3000 BC.
Dr Frank Winery Finger Lakes is the leading producer of Rkatsiteli in the US, BTW. This historic winery, founded by Dr. Konstantin Frank in the 1950s, is known for introducing European grape varieties to the region.
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I thoroughly enjoyed their rendition of the Rkatsiteli, which tasted so much like one of my favorite varietals, Sauvignon Blanc.
The three similarities are the aromatic characteristics of grapefruit and lime, the lengthy finish ending with bright acidity and the mouthfeel. However, I could taste much more minerality in the Finger Lakes Rkatsiteli than I taste in New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs.
Interview with 4th-generation Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Winemaker
“Each vineyard displays its own unique characteristics when it comes to aspects like the mineral content of the soil, which contributes certain notes that can impact aroma and taste,” explained Meagan about the vineyards spread out around Keuka Lake.
Google the best Finger Lakes wineries, and you’ll invariably get Dr Frank Winery Finger Lakes on top of the list.
Okay, okay, I know the winery’s correct name is Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, but that might be just a little too challenging to spell.
What to expect at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
Sip Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery’s lauded Rkatsiteli, a varietal with a refreshing minerality, or many other Dr Frank acclaimed wines with fabulous views of Keuka Lake.
If Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is the bedazzling diamond on the finger of this region, whose five longest lakes resemble a hand, over 130 other wineries are embedded with their own gems. You don’t want to miss the best of those, so check out my other story, The Best Finger Lakes Wineries Near Corning.
Location: 9749 Middle Rd, Hammondsport, NY 14840
Phone: (800) 320-0735
Website: drfrankwines.com
RELATED: Best Finger Lakes Wineries Near Corning You Need to Visit
Total Wine Delivers These Finger Lakes Wines to Your Home
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Hi, I’m Stacey
UNSTOPPABLE Stacey Travel is a travel blog focused on immersive travel that highlights food, wine and the spirituality of place. You can count on me for accurate reports and insightful analysis as your trusted travel writer since 2008.
As the author of several spiritual and walking guides, I occasionally write about life as a Camino de Santiago pilgrim. See my Amazon author page here. You may review my credentials as a professional travel writer on LinkedIn.
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