Doctor’s order: Riesling
With the Dr Konstantin Frank Winery gearing up for its 60th anniversary next year and heading into its 2021 harvest, we look at the techniques behind its flagship wine…
Where History Was Planted
EST 1962
WELCOME TO
The Finger Lakes Pioneer Since 1962
Dr. Konstantin Frank earned his Ph.D. in Viticulture from Odessa, Ukraine in 1930 and became a leading expert in his field throughout Eastern Europe. Having survived through two World Wars and the Russian Revolution, Dr. Frank immigrated to New York in 1951 at the age of 52-years-old, with empty pockets and no knowledge of English, in the hope of creating a brighter future for his family.
Dr. Konstantin Frank knew from his experience growing grapes in very cold climates that high quality vinifera wines could be made in New York. With plenty of opposition, Dr. Konstantin Frank pushed forward and made his own way. No one believed him. His techniques and innovations began a revolution in the Finger Lakes that would forever change the region. The proof is in our wines.
The Collection
We offer over 40 different wines to discover ranging from sparkling to still, traditional to unique, and bone-dry to sweet. Our Estate vineyards are home to some of the oldest vines in America dating back to 1958.
Méthode Champenoise
Since 1985 our Méthode Champenoise wines recieve the utmost care from hand harvesting to a minimum of four years aging in bottle in our historic underground cellar.
Classic Wines
Our Classic wines express the purest form of our winemaking style, the terroir of the Finger lakes, and the range of grape varieties grown.
Reserve Wines
Our Reserve wines emphasize their uniqueness featuring superior vineyard sites, distinct winemaking techniques, and diverse grape varieties.
Helm Series
Named after the women of our generations, our Helm Series is our most distinctive wines focusing on originality made from exceedingly old vineyard sites and wines chosen from our highest quality barrels.
VISITING US
Our Experiences
Our wine purchases are contact-less. Our staff will guide you through a menu of our current selections and answer any questions you may have. We will package the wines for you and deliver them to our curbside pickup location.
7 Days a Week | 10 am - 5 pm
Perfect for those new to the Finger Lakes or new to the Dr. Konstantin Frank Story. The Progressive Tasting Experience brings the vineyard and cellar to you. You will travel to three different stations set up throughout our tasting rooms. Each station offers an educational theme relating to the history of our winery.
May - October | 7 Days a Week | $10 pp | Reservations Only
New for 2021, we’ve recreated an outside area originally used by Eugenia for her flower and vegetable gardens. Eugenia’s Garden is available for casual enjoyment of our wines either by the glass or by the bottle paired with ala carte seasonal local cheeses. Eugenia’s Garden is outside, weather permitting.
May - October | 7 Days a Week | $12 - $18 Flights | Walk-Ins Only
Situated on our expansive deck by Konstantin’s original home, our panoramic vineyard and lake views are ready to entice you alongside the warmth of our firepits with the change of temperatures. Includes a welcome wine, flight of 5 wines, a seasonal cheese and charcuterie plate, and a finale surprise.
October | Thursday - Sunday | $35 pp | By Reservation
Our most in-depth experience. The 1886 Food & Wine Experience caters to those with a deeper interest in the Dr. Frank winemaking and viticultural program. Visits are available by reservation only and include an in-depth viticultural or cellar experience, followed by a seated educational wine flight paired with creative, small foods.
May - October | Thursday - Sunday | $50 pp | Reservations Only
The 1962 Reserve Tasting offers you an intimate and personalized experience allowing you to choose five wines from our entire portfolio, including our Reserve and Helm Series wines, all while enjoying our view of our Keuka estate vineyards.
November - 2022 | 7 Days A Week | $12 pp | Reservations Recommended
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ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
You Deserve Only Excellent
“Ladies and Gentlemen. Good grapes varieties are not good enough for Americans. You Americans deserve only excellent,” Dr. Konstantin Frank stated when presenting his first wines.
“This is my duty, as scientist, and this is my duty, as an American patriot,” he continued.
At the age of 63, when most Americans would be thinking of retirement at that age, he was building a winery from the ground up. He introduced grapes to the Finger Lakes from all over the world – Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Rkatsiteli, Saperavi, and so on.
“These grapes are excellent. This is the future of America.”
He was right.
Accolades
Top 25 Sparkling Brands From A Decade of Tastings
Wine & Spirits Magazine
Top 100 Winery of 2019
Wine & Spirits Magazine
10 Best Tasting Room in America
USA Today
Four Stars
Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book
Value All Star 2019
Wine & Spirits Magazine
All Star Brand 2018
Wine & Spirits Magazine
INTRODUCING OUR
Helm Series Wines
Meaghan Frank, great granddaughter of Dr. Konstantin Frank, created the Helm Series as a way to honor the women in the family who worked behind the scenes to contribute to the winery’s legacy: Eugenia Dry Riesling is named after Eugenia Frank (wife of Dr. Konstantin Frank), the Margrit Dry Riesling is named after Margrit Frank (wife of Willy Frank), the Hilda Chardonnay is named after Hilda Volz (daughter of Dr. Konstantin Frank), and the Lena Reserve Red named after Lena Frank (daughter of Dr. Konstantin Frank).
READ WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Latest News
Top 7 Best Dry Riesling Under $20
One of the most popular wineries in the Finger Lakes, this Dry Riesling is a balanced and tropical dry white wine with fresh acidity and excellent persistence with hints of citrus. But beyond the crispness, there’s a unique subtle creaminess that will keep you reaching for a second taste.
Featured on Jancis Robinson
Jerry Smith's entry to our old-vine writing competition is about an acre of 53-year-old Riesling named after Eugenia Frank.
FL Times August Wine of the Month
Our 2020 Rkatsiteli was named the August Wine of the Month by Dave Sit and the Finger Lakes Times with a score of 93 Points.
Wine and Waterfalls in the Finger Lakes of NY
A good way to start your vineyard touring is at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery on the western banks. This is where the Finger Lakes went through a “vinifera revolution” as they call it. In 1957 that Dr. Frank, a Ph.D. in plant sciences, planted the European varieties (Vitis vinifera) against nearly everyone’s advice.
Thrillist – 12 Incredible Wineries to Visit Near NYC
Established in 1962 and fourth-generation family owned, Dr. Konstantin Frank Wines features over 40 bottles, including chardonnay riesling, pinot gris, brut rosé, and grüner veltliner, with new varietals planted over the years by generations of the Frank family.
Editor’s Choice Award: Couples Enjoy Dates at Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
As one of the most historic vineyards in the eastern United States, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery offers a perfect date destination for couples. For its romantic setting and high-quality wines that allow couples to connect and relax, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery has earned our Editor’s Choice Award.
‘Fire and Vine’ Wine Exhibition Coming to Corning Museum of Glass
In just a few decades, riesling has become the unofficial grape of New York’s Finger Lakes region. Since 1957, local winemaker Dr. Konstantin Frank (and the subsequent four generations of the Frank family) have been working wonders with the fruit at their winery on Keuka Lake.
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery Collaborates with V is for Vino Bringing Worldwide Attention to the Finger Lakes
I knew this was must-visit wine tour during our Finger Lakes getaway. With beautiful views of Keuka Lake, this progressive tasting will take you through the history of the winery, explore their current innovations with winemaking, and spotlight the women the of the Frank family.
Amber Rkatsiteli – Wines of the Year 2020
Our 2018 Amber Rkatsiteli was one of Decanter's White Wines of the Year in 2020
