Fall 2002/Winter 2003

The last 12 months at Vinifera Wine Cellars and Chateau Frank, have brought us numerous accolades and significant press for our wines. So many in fact, that we feel, "Our cup runneth over…"

Dr. Frank in Wine Spectator's "Hall of Fame"

The 25th Anniversary edition of the Wine Spectator honored 54 individuals from around the world who "…have made a lasting impact..." on the world's wine industry. Included in this "Hall of Fame" was our founder, the late Dr. Konstantin Frank. The magazine said of these honorees:

James Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, commented on the Spectator honor saying, "Dr. Frank certainly was a man who made a lasting impact. His vision and determination gave New York and other eastern vintners yet another option in terms of grape varieties and wine styles. Overcoming widespread skepticism and formidable obstacles, he started the "vinifera revolution" high above Keuka Lake, and transformed the eastern wine industry. His pursuit of excellence lives on in his son Willy and grandson Fred, who continue to run Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars (and Chateau Frank)."

Vinifera Wine Cellars is "New York Winery of the Year"

The New York Wine & Food Classic has, during its 15- year history, been dubbed the "Oscars" of the New York wine industry. This year the competition, which was held in August at the Hudson River Club in lower Manhattan, bestowed its first ever "Winery of the Year" designation on Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars.

The "Winery of the Year" award is based on a point system reflecting the types and numbers of awards given to a particular winery in view of the total number of wines it entered. Dr. Frank's bested over 100 wineries in the competition. This year Dr. Frank's wines won 6 Double Golds, 27 Gold Medals, 4 "Best of Class" awards, and 2 "Best of Show" designations. The Best of Class awards were earned by Dr. Frank's 1999 Barrel-fermented Chardonnay and the 1999 Dr. Frank Pinot Noir. Both wines were produced from 40-year old vines. (A complete listing of all the awards is available by request.)

Riesling Rocks

he late Dr. Frank often predicted that one day there would be an "explosion" of interest in Riesling. Frank Prial, wine writer for the New York Times noted that the "…explosion has had a long fuse. Konstantin Frank proved more than 50 years ago that riesling could thrive in New York's upstate climate, but it has been only recently that consumers have embraced this sophisticated varietal."

Today dozens of New York wineries produce one or more Rieslings, but as Wine and Food noted in their June 2002 issue, "Few other wineries in the world could create such an aromatic, vibrant Riesling at such a low price…" as Dr. Konstantin Frank.

In a recent article, Eric Asimov of the New York Times states that while consumers often use California wines as a standard of American wine excellence, they often fail to realize that certain New York wines can stand up not only to any American competitor, but also to any wine in the world:

Recent Honors for Dr. Frank Rieslings

Johannisberg Riesling, 2001 Semi-Dry

Gold Medal–San Francisco International Wine Competition

Double Gold–New York Wine Classic 2002

Johannisberg Riesling, 2001 Reserve

Gold Medal–World Riesling Championships

Gold Medal–New York Wine Classic 2002

Salmon Run Riesling, 2001

Gold Medal–Florida State Fair

Double Gold–San Francisco International Wine Competition

Johannisberg Riesling, 2001 Dry

Gold Medal–Best of Class–World Riesling Championships

Gold Medal–San Francisco International Wine Competition

Other Recent Gold Medal Winners

Merlot Reserve, 1999 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition Pacific Rim International Wine Competition Taster's Guild International Los Angeles County Fair Cabernet Sauvignon, 1999 Winefest International Competition Great Lakes Great Wine Competition Cabernet Great Lakes Great Wine Competition Rkatsiteli, 2001 Taster's Guild International (Double Gold) Great Lakes Great Wine Competition Gewurztraminer, 2001 Great Lakes Great Wine Competition Chateau Frank Blanc de Noirs, 1996 Taster's Guild International Chateau Frank Blanc de Blancs, 1996 New York State Fair Chateau Frank Brut, 1998 New York Wine Classic Chardonnay Barrel-Fermented, 2000 New York Wine Classic ("Best Chardonnay")

Production Good News

Since grandson Frederick Frank joined the winery as president in 1993, we have been able to increase our production by double digits. Fred has brought many terrific ideas to our business from his former position as Managing Director of Long Island's Banfi Estate.

One brainstorm that has really paid off is his idea of offering grafted vines of Dr. Frank clones "on credit" to Finger Lakes growers who had previously planted low demand native and French-American grape varieties. Increasingly, our grapes have come from those clones grown by our cooperators in the Finger Lakes. This relationship has proven beneficial for all-helping to soften the $15,000 per acre cost needed to plant European vinifera grapes and providing the fine grapes we need to meet the demand of sophisticated wine drinkers

Production Good News

Since grandson Frederick Frank joined the winery as president in 1993, we have been able to increase our production by double digits. Fred has brought many terrific ideas to our business from his former position as Managing Director of Long Island's Banfi Estate.

One brainstorm that has really paid off is his idea of offering grafted vines of Dr. Frank clones "on credit" to Finger Lakes growers who had previously planted low demand native and French-American grape varieties. Increasingly, our grapes have come from those clones grown by our cooperators in the Finger Lakes. This relationship has proven beneficial for all-helping to soften the $15,000 per acre cost needed to plant European vinifera grapes and providing the fine grapes we need to meet the demand of sophisticated wine drinkers

In Europe and in other countries-including the United States-there is an increasing trend in agriculture to move back to natural methods of growing crops. This movement, called Biodynamics, is based on the teaching of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner who advocates harmony and respect for nature. Frenchman Nicolas Joly is a champion of this philosophy and has preached organic farming practices-opposing the use of pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and weed killers. Here at Vinifera Wine Cellars and Chateau Frank, these teachings are nothing new, in fact organic practices have been our way of life for years.

Eric Volz, our vineyard manager, has spent hours rolling out bales of hay which preserve soil moisture, and by decomposing, return nutrients to the soil. This decomposition promotes useful bacteria, and nurtures earth worms which otherwise would be killed from harsh salt residues found in the chemicals of "modern" agriculture. To keep insects under control, we rely on the lessons of Dr. Frank, who taught us to put birdhouses in our vineyards. The swallows that occupy the homes also help to keep pesky mosquitoes at bay.

The application of pesticides is of particular concern, not only to us, but to the entire American public who are demanding fewer chemicals in their food and drink. This concern has led me to introduce to our vineyards a cross of a vinifera parent and a Siberian grape, which is practically immune to common fungus diseases. This cross makes the application of pesticides unnecessary. This new grape is also winter hardy to -40° F and produces a Bordeaux-style wine that is deep purple in color. Prof. John Baxevanis, a noted author of wine books, expressed his opinion of this new variety in the American Wine Review. "The viticultural achievements of Dr. Konstantin Frank are familiar and legendary, but few in the industry are aware of a somber, strenuous, and momentous experiment to produce serious red table wine from the hardy Vitis Amurensis. Is it possible for Willy Frank to produce a quality red table wine, literally the missing magic bullet for eastern America? My first taste of this variety says that it is quite possible."

At the winery, we also shun the use of harsh chemical preservatives. Not only do we think this practice is healthier, but also it has allowed us to ship our wine internationally. Many nations, in particular Japan, specifically prohibit wines with certain chemical additives. Vinifera Wine Cellars passed the stringent chemical analyses that accompany wine shipments to that nation with flying colors.

We would like to thank you, our valued customers and friends, for your past business, and to wish you very "Happy Holidays!" We urge you to call us soon for your holiday wines and gift purchases (we just received a shipment of wonderful, reasonably priced gift boxes). If you cannot come to the winery for a visit, please look for our products in your favorite wine shops and restaurants.

American lovers of French Champagne received a shock when wine writer Geoff Kalish rated two great champagnes, Louis Roederer Cristal and Krug Clos de Mesnil (which both sell for more than $100.00 per bottle), "...greatly overpriced." He recommended instead that "value savvy consumers" seek the most recent releases from Chateau Frank instead.

"Made in Hammondsport NY from the same grape varietals used to make French Champagne and by the methode champenoise, these products bear little resemblance to the foxy-flavored New York sparklers of yesteryear." The New York Times, Dec. 1995

As the first and only winery in New York to grow all three classic French champagne grape varieties, we faithfully adhere to the methode champenoise, to produce three champagnes and sparkling Célèbre. Our sparkling wines are produced strictly from our own grapes and have a long history of outscoring some of the finest French and California offerings- including Bollinger Grande Annee, Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame, Perrier- Jouet Fleur de Champagne and a list of 90 other fine French champagnes.

The only bad news in this story is that once again we are not able to keep up with the demand for our champagnes, and shortages at both the winery and at retail stores will be a given. Don't get caught short this holiday season, stock up on your favorites from Chateau Frank!

Beverage Tasting Institute, Chicago 90 Points "Exceptional"	1996 Blanc de Blancs Champagne A Gold Medal Winner. A straw yellow wine with a pleasant yeasty nose, this bubbly is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. Medium body, with lots of acid and medium fruit. This wine is austere with subtle lime fruit and earthy undertones.
1996 Blanc de Noir A Gold Medal Winner. This wine presents the classic characteristics of a French Champagne with its toasty yeast character, persistent foam and tiny bubbles. Aromas of pear, apple, peach, citrus fruits, and hazelnut combine with the toasty, creamy character of the Pinot Noir fruit to create a full-bodied sparkling wine.
Beverage Tasting Institute, Chicago 89 Points "Highly Recommended"	1998 Brut Champagne A Gold Medal Winner. Experts consistently mistake this wine for French Champagne costing several times its price. Four years of aging on the yeast have resulted in a rich, toasty wine full of complex yet subtle flavors.
NV Célebrè A delicious, fresh, flavor-filled bubbly at a price that makes champagne an affordable pleasure. Now produced methode champenoise! Also available in a stunning Rosé.	Beverage Tasting Institute, Chicago 88 Points "Exceptional"

The distribution of Dr. Frank's wines is growing! If you can't find our wines in your local wine shop or favorite restaurant, ask the owner or manager to contact one of our distributors:

Our Canadian friends should contact the LCBO in the Toronto area for our wines.

We can also ship wines within NY State via UPS, and to other states through other carriers. Due to laws in some states, shipping is not available to: FL, TN, NC, IN, MD, ND and GA. Please contact us for the latest shipping information. Call 800–320–0735.

A New Look

After 15 years, we are introducing a new wine label designed by William Benson, a well known Ithaca, NY artist who also designed our Chateau Frank Celebre and Dr. Frank Premiere Blush labels, as well as the award-winning Salmon Run Series. The new label, which shows the view of the vineyards sloping towards beautiful Keuka Lake, will adorn the bottles of our 2000 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, 1999 Pinot Noir, and 1999 Merlot Reserve.