Uncompromising Quality
Our staff is a true testament to our near 60 years of success. We are prideful that the majority of our team has been with us for over a decade.
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The Joy of Working at Dr. Konstantin Frank (1:58 mins)
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The Frank Family
Frederic Frank
President
Frederick Frank is president of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, a position he has held since 1993. After graduating from Cornell, Fred worked for Banfi Vintners in sales from 1979 to 1982, before attending Geisenheim Reserch Institute for Viticulture and Enology in West Germany in 1982-1983. He was managing director of Old Brookville Vineyard at Banfi from 1984 to 1993. Fred has been a two term member of the CALS Dean’s Advisory Council and is a member of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Leadership Society. He has also served as a district director of the CALS Alumni Association. Fred has been a member of the advisory council for the New York State Agricultural Station. In 2010, Fred was named an Outstanding Alumni by CALS. Fred oversees the day-to-day operations at the winery with a focus on production operations, vineyard relations, and national wholesale. In 2023 Fred was honored with the Monteith trophy by the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association for his exceptional contributions to the development and sustainability of the American wine industry over the last 30 years.
Meaghan Frank
Vice President
Meaghan Frank is the fourth generation of her family to manage Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and two post-graduate degrees: one in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide, Australia and one in enology from Cornell University. Meaghan has earned her Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits and Champagne Master Level from the Wine Scholar Guild. She is a WSET Certified Educator and teaches Level 2 and 3 WSET courses in the Finger Lakes region. Since returning to the winery in 2013, some notable achievements include adding unique visitor experiences and creating a super-premium line of wines paying tribute to the women of the Frank Family. Looking into the future, advancements in technology, winemaking, and viticultural practices are in the works.
Barbara Frank
Consulting Sparkling Winemaker
Barbara Frank joined the winery in 1989 as head winemaker after graduating from Cornell in '83 with a major in Viticulture and minor in Fermentation Science and then California State University, Fresno with an MS in Enology in ‘88. Previous, she attended Geisenheim Institute and worked at Domaine Mumm, Schramsberg, Navarro Vineyards, and S. Anderson Vineyard where she met Mark Veraguth. Since 1992, Barbara stays involved at the winery as consulting winemaker for the sparkling wine program and handles regional sales for the metro New York area.
Eric Volz
Vineyard Manager
In his youth, Eric was trained by Dr. Frank along with his father, Walter Volz. Walter was Dr. Franks first vineyard manager and took over the operation when Konstantin could not. Eric enjoyed the work so much, he decided to stay at the winery for the remainder of his career working the same land as his father. The Volz's management of the vineyard is remarkable for the success of vinifera and conservation for over fifty years.
Winemaking Team
Mark Veraguth
Head Winemaker
Mark Veraguth, a native to Santa Rosa, California, joined Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in 1989 as an assistant to head winemaker, Barbara Frank. In his youth, Mark studied at The University of Califonia, Davis earning his B.S. in Civil Engineering. During his studies, Mark was working as a cellar and vineyard helper at S. Anderson Vineyards, one of California's most respected sparkling-wine producers. He found that his skills in production and logistics of civil engineering translated well to the wine industry and decided to never leave. In 1983 Mark was promoted to assistant winemaker at S. Anderson Vineyards and remained there until 1989 when he joined Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. Mark became head-winemaker in 2004 and is currently on his 29th vintage with Dr. Frank.
Eric Bauman
Sparkling Winemaker
Eric gained his sparkling wine experience in his early twenties when he moved from his hometown in Upstate N.Y. and discovered Sonoma County, California. Visiting wineries and tasting wines there eventually grew into a cellar job at J Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg, CA from 1997-2005 producing sparkling wines not only for J Winery, but also by contract for Piper Sonoma sparkling wines. In the summer of 2005, Eric moved back to Upstate New York looking for opportunities in the Finger Lakes. There, he met Fred Frank and his father, Willy Frank, who started the winery’s sparkling wines. Today, Eric manages the sparkling wine cellar and oversees the sparkling wine vineyards producing six styles of award-winning vintage and non-vintage traditional method sparkling wines.
Vineyard Team
Eric Volz
Vineyard Manager
In his youth, Eric was trained by Dr. Frank along with his father, Walter Volz. Walter was Dr. Franks first vineyard manager and took over the operation when Konstantin could not. Eric enjoyed the work so much, he decided to stay at the winery for the remainder of his career working the same land as his father. The Volz's management of the vineyard is remarkable for the success of vinifera and conservation for over fifty years.
Brien Gardner
Seneca Vineyard Manager
A Southern Tier local, Brien spent the first 20 years of his adult life as a Financial and Investment Advisor for notable companies in Rochester, New York, until he was bitten by the wine bug. Leaving the desk for dirt, he picked up a 2nd degree in Viticulture and learnt about the international world of wine at a retailer on the weekends. Before joining Dr. Konstantin Frank, Brien was the Assistant Vineyard Operations Manager at Anthony Road Wine Company for 10 years. It's easy to get lost in conversation with Brien. He's a wealth of knowledge of all things viticulture and loves to share with anyone who asks.
Hospitality Team
George DiTomasso
Retail Manager
George has been with our winery for over 28 years and has worked with three generations of Franks. On a daily basis, his enthusiasm, positive energy, and selflessness bring together everyone at the winery. He truly cares about every one of his team members and his longtime fans and will go above and beyond for anyone.
Steve Webster
Retail & Shipping Manager
Steve has one of the most important jobs at the winery. He is the first person that everyone is greeted by when visiting us. His welcoming and gracious personality starts each visit on a positive note and he has formed strong friendships with returning guests over the years.
Holly Lynn Fusco
Hospitality Manager
Holly joined the Dr. Frank family in 2021 after a 18 year career as a professional ballet dancer. She moved here from Philadelphia to pursue her growing passion in wine and brings experience from working at Domaine LeSeurre Winery, Hermann Wiemer and Standing Stone Vineyards. Her expertise lies in curating the winery's events, spaces, and tasting experiences while making sure the staff and logistics are running smoothly. She enjoys gardening and boating, and still stays on her toes, with thanks to her son, Calvin!
Paul Zorovich
Wine Club Manager
Before he came to the Finger Lakes, Paul had a 25-year-long career in his home town of New York City as a corporate trainer in the private and public sectors, where his background as a musician and performer came in handy. When he's not at the winery, you can usually find Paul in his kitchen cooking the vegetables that his wife grows in their garden. Paul has been Wine Club manager here at Dr. Frank's since 2017. He's had WSET level 3 certification since 2019.
Allyn Brand
Wine Educator
If you have been to our winery for a tasting or an experience, I am sure you had the pleasure of having Allyn as your host. His warmth and knowledge creates lasting memories with our visitors. Allyn and his wife purchased a home right down the road from the winery in 1995. It took Willy Frank 5 years to convince Allyn to join our team. And we are glad he accepted!
Sales & Marketing Team
Eric Baist
National Sales Manager
A Finger Lakes native, Eric grew up in Sodus, a quaint town on Ontario Lake. Leaving behind his first career path after college, Eric traded the Upstate cold for the beaches of California where he became an avid sailor and surfer and developed his love for food, coffee, and wine. Returning to his hometown, Eric now travels the country for Dr. Frank sharing our story and our wines to nearly every state in America.
Brandon Thomas
Digital Brand Manager
Brandon worked for several restaurants in Philadelphia, most notably developing wine and beverage programs for Chef Jose Garces. After restaurant life, Brandon joined Regal Wine Imports, a National importer and distributor, where he managed the efforts of 300 wine, beer, and spirit producers as the Director of Product Development. In the summer of 2018, he relocated to the Finger Lakes joining Dr Konstantin Frank Winery. Brandon earned his WSET Diploma in 2013 in Philadelphia and subsequently earned WSET Certified Educator in 2015 ultimately teaching the Diploma level.