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.
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.
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.
Our Classic wines express the purest form of our winemaking style, the terroir of the Finger lakes, and the range of grape varieties grown.
Our Reserve wines emphasize their uniqueness featuring superior vineyard sites, distinct winemaking techniques, and diverse grape varieties.
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.
Perfect for those new to the Finger Lakes or new to the Dr. Konstantin Frank Story. The Progressive Tasting Experience brings a vineyard and cellar tour to you. You will travel to four different stations set up throughout our tasting rooms. Each station offers an educational theme relating to the history of our winery.
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.
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.
“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.
Wine & Spirits Magazine
Wine & Spirits Magazine
USA Today
Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book
Wine & Spirits Magazine
Wine & Spirits Magazine
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).
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