A Visit in History
1962 - 2022
Our most in-depth experience, the 1886 Food & Wine Experience caters to those with a deeper interest in the history, grape growing, and winemaking at Dr. Konstantin Frank.
Back to our Roots
In the early days of our winery, Dr. Konstantin Frank won the hearts of wine consumers not just for his incredible viticulture innovations but for the one-on-one personal tasting experiences he provided. When our winery didn’t have a formal tasting room, Konstantin would invite visitors onto the front porch of his home overlooking Keuka Lake, where they would spend time savoring his wines enjoying conversation and most importantly, learning. Often times those visits included Eugenia’s culinary treats to pair with the wines.
60 year later these visitors still remember the personal wine tasting experiences that they had with Konstantin and his wife Eugenia. Our 1886 Food & Wine Experience brings us back to our roots. Back to the days when every tasting was intimate and personal. When guests could take their time, learn, savor our wines, and experience the Dr. Frank legacy firsthand.
1886 Food & Wine Experience
Offered May 19th through October 30th
The 1886 Food & Wine Experience is located within the beautiful historic Chateau Frank and features original fieldstone walls and wood beam ceilings combined with modern and contemporary decor.
Each day features a unique vineyard or winemaking experience paired with wines. Afterward, guests return to the 1886 Reserve Room for a seated flight of wines paired with creative and seasonal small bites.
Each reservation will be seated at individual tables.
$75 per person. $55 for club members.
Please email us at least one week ahead of time if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Thursdays: Vineyard Experience
Fridays: Sparkling Experience
Saturdays: Vineyard Experience
Sundays: Barrel Experience
Two Seatings Each Day: 11AM & 2PM
Availability
Limited to 6 total tables, 4 guests maximum per table.
Restrictions
Sorry, no pets or guests under 21 years of age.
Book your table here:
Vineyard Experience
Every Thursday and Saturday 11AM & 2PM
An in-the-vineyard exploration of the rich history of grape growing at Dr. Konstantin Frank.
A wine educator will lead you through several vineyard sites where you will learn about grafting, the parts of the vine, the current growth cycle of the vine, and other vineyard practices. Wines will be sampled in the vineyard.
At the conclusion of the tour, a seated flights of wines from the Dr. Konstantin Frank portfolio are paired with chef’s seasonal bites
Sparkling Experience
Every Friday 11AM & 2PM
A behind-the-scenes exploration of the rich history of traditional method sparkling wine.
The tour will begin with an explaination of our estate vineyards focusing of the classic Champagne grapes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The tour continues underground to our historic cellar built in 1886. Here you will learn the process of Methode Champenoise while tasting samples of our current releases.
At the conclusion of the tour, a seated flights of wines from the entire Dr. Konstantin Frank portfolio are paired with chef’s seasonal bites
Barrel Experience
Every Sunday 11AM & 2PM
A behind-the-scenes exploration of our underground barrel cellar.
After a warm welcome at our 1886 Reserve Room, we head to the Dr. Frank barrel cellar where you will learn the process of barrel production, the different types of oak and where they originate from, and alternatives to barrel aging with exotic vessels. We will taste examples of wines aging in barrels.
At the conclusion of the tour, a seated flights of wines from the Dr. Konstantin Frank portfolio are paired with chef’s seasonal bites
VENUE:
Chateau Frank
Built in 1886 by Philip Argus, a German immigrant, the building was once the Western New York Wine Company. Like many Hammondsport wineries, the Western New York Wine Company went out of business during prohibition.
In 1980, Willy Frank, son of Dr. Konstantin Frank, purchased the property with the intention of producing the region’s first Méthode champenoise sparkling wine from traditional grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
We released our first Brut sparkling wine in 1985.
Today, the original historic underground cellar is home to our sparkling wine aging program. These wines will age in perfect natural conditions up to 5 years before release. The building is an architectural gem on Keuka Lake with its natural fieldstone walls and is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites.
Our Reviews
Read what others are saying
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Started out wine tasting day here. Was a great introduction to the area. Love sparkling wines and these definitely don’t disappoint. Went to four places after and this was definitely... read more our favorite of the day. Would definitely return. Sparkling, white and red were all interesting which isn’t common at other places. Definitely go here. Obviously in February it isn’t crowded. We were there from 11-12 and only customers. Great way to learn from the person working there.
NDSuzieQ
February 17, 2022One of the best reasons to visit this winery is because of the history it holds and because of how much the Dr contributed to early winemaking in the region.... read more But even more importantly, the wines we tasted near are top notch and the views from the tasting room are dramatic. DO IT!
Fred B
February 16, 2022Between the view, in spite of the frigid temperatures, the awesome charcuterie board and delightful wine we were greeted and treated by a welcoming staff. Glad they were also able... read more to provide my husband a mask as he had forgotten his. Can’t wait to go back in warmer weather to enjoy the experience outdoors.
Wendy W
February 7, 2022Great selection of wines. Do not miss this place, fun place to visit. We will be back to visit them again.
Tim C
December 10, 2021This has been our favorite winery for over 25 years. We have been coming here since the early days and will always come back as often as we can.... read more The people who work there are super knowledgeable, friendly, and accomodating. If you love wine - you will love Dr. Frank's.
Mark B
November 24, 2021This was an incredible late-fall visit. We left our youngest daughter’s beautiful wedding weekend and headed to the Finger Lakes region for a pre-holiday getaway. The “Frank Tasting”... read more was excellent with an accommodating, knowledgeable staff, and outstanding wine with an awesome view.
Don S
November 22, 2021 -
Staff were very friendly and helpful. Beautiful views from tasting room. Outstanding cheese platter enhanced the wine selection. Relaxed atmosphere.
Jay M
November 8, 2021One of the most famous wineries in the Finger Lakes region. Very pleasant visit, lots of wines to taste. Views outside are quite beautiful. Try the 1886 Tasting, you will... read more need to make a reservation for this though. Includes a tour, some in process tasting and finishes with small plate and wine pairings. Definitely a good way to spend an afternoon.
Adam M
November 4, 2021This was the first vinifera vineyard in the Finger Lakes, and the experience shows, both in the wines that are produced and in the smooth and attentive customer service.
... read more /> Dr. Konstantin Frank produces all of the wines that you'd expect in the Finger Lakes, including Rieslings, Gewurtztraminer, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. It makes a solid Sauvignon Blanc. But what makes the winery particularly interesting is that it offers some grapes not seen in many--or any--other wineries, such as the white Rkatsiteli and the red Saperavi, both native to Georgia, the birthplace of winemaking, and Amur, a red produced from a grape originating from southern Siberia.
Special, limited-attendance events, such as tasting of library wines, are also worthwhile; althoiugh we did not participate in any of them during our most recent visit, we did attend the Progressive Tasting Experience, which provided a structured opportunity to sample a number of the vineyard's wines.
Note that reservations are a must. Because this is a popular winery, be sure to make them well in advance.Charles W
November 2, 2021As others have said, this was not only a wine tasting but a wine mini seminar with very knowledgeable and personable staff at three stations. This was our first trip... read more to Dr. Frank but it won't be the last.
Kathy M
October 29, 2021We enjoyed a patio wine and cheese experience on a beautiful Fall day.
Although it was chilly and had some occasional showers, we were protected by an awning and warmed... read more by fire tables.
Holly did an excellent job of explaining and discussing the various wines and cheeses. We are partial to dry wines and Dr. Frank had many worthy choices.
This tasting experience reminded us of some of the finer wineries we have visited in Napa - plus we had Keuka Lake in front of us!
You will not be disappointed!Carolyn B
October 24, 2021We visited Dr. Frank for the third time two days ago. Our first experience, several years ago, wasn't the best. We did a wine tasting that consisted of standing at... read more one table with several others and one staff member. It seemed rushed and impersonal and we didn't have any desire to return. We've come to realize that the server at these tastings makes all the difference in the experience. That visit, our server was just OK. Last year our B+B hosts encouraged us to give it another try as they highly recommended their wines. We did, right in the middle of COVID. Reservations were required and the groups were small. A progressive tasting was done and we moved to three different stations. It was a great experience and we bought wine that we have come to love. This year we decided to do the Konstanin's Overlook experience. It was wonderful! We sat out on the deck overlooking the lake on a beautiful sunny day and received a welcome wine, then a flight of 5 wines for each of us (we chose from a list of several options), and had a charcuterie plate for two with local cheeses which was delicious. There was no time limit and we were able to sit and enjoy our experience and the beautiful weather. It was hard to leave! We ended with a piece of chocolate and a special dessert wine. Our servers were knowledgable and wonderful! We left for home with several wines and local cheeses with plans to return again next year!
ItalianatHeart55
October 3, 2021This was the first winery we visited in the Finger Lakes, and it set the bar for us for winery tastings. We literally liked every wine we tasted, which has... read more never happened in previous tastings in other parts of the country. The tasting stations were a nice mix of history of the winery and the wines. I would enjoy going back again this trip.
Valerie B
September 8, 2021My husband & I have been frequenting Dr. Franks on an annual basis since we discovered this gem of a winery over 10 years ago. Their wines always exceed our... read more expectations.
We thoroughly enjoyed the new experience of the wine stations (developed since Covid). The enthusiasm that each associate has for wine and the wine-making process & history is contagious. The Scottish gentlemen had a particularly lovely passion for wine!Love2Travel9999
August 4, 2021An appointment was necessary and a limited number of people were admitted at specific times for tastings. This is a beautiful venue and the employees are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about... read more their wines. Questions were welcomed and with the exception of one station we did not feel as the tasting had been 'scripted.' Well worth a visit.
Mary Ellen C
July 1, 2021 -
My husband and I visited Finger Lake region for the first time. We made a reservation for a wine tasting at Dr.Konstantin Frank Winery for Sunday morning. The experience was... read more fabulous! George, our sommelier, was very knowledgeable and you could tell he likes his job! We each had 6 different wines that we absolutely loved! We ordered cheese platter, that had different types of cheese from nearby farms, as well as charcuterie, nuts, honey, marmalade, crackers and chocolate. The lady, who brought it to our table, told us about everything that was there, where it came from and how to pair it with wine. Tasted delicious!!! Next time we come for a visit, and we definitely will, this winery will be our number one destination. I highly recommend it to everyone, whether you are a novice to the wine tasting or an experienced one.
May 18, 2021We liked the way you get all five wine choices together in a tower and can take your time sampling them while enjoying the beautiful scenery. We also had a... read more cheese plate with lots of delicious local cheeses. They came by often in case we had questions. We spent about an hour there.
May 18, 2021We had a great time at our wine tasting, beautiful view and heavy pours ..... what more could you want? Cheese and chocolate , charcuterie board was awesome
April 25, 2021Service was impeccable! Friendly and extremely accommodating. The 2020 Rose is beyond delicious! The charcuterie tray with the wine, overlooking the lake was the topper.
We’ll be back!!!
April 25, 2021The charcuterie board was a perfect compliment to the wine flights for our tasting. Allyn was very helpful throughout the afternoon. Great pricing for shipping out of area,... read more we visited from Illinois.
April 24, 2021This winery was beautiful. The staff was very knowledgeable, the atmosphere was great, and we had lots of fun! I wasn't sure what kind of wine to expect... read more in this region, but I thought the wine here was delightful and thoughtfully priced. We went for a Bachelorette party and they made the bride feel special. They were very accommodating for our group and I especially enjoyed the wine trees! Stephen was especially kind and helpful. Thanks for a great time!
April 14, 2021We had a tasty glass of wine on the deck with the spectacular view. Unfortunately, they were not open for tastings the day we visited. The setting is... read more spectacular and we were delighted to be able to keep our wine glasses as souvenirs. Worth visiting for the quality wine and the spectacular view. We will definitely come back when we can sample more wines.
April 10, 2021Perfect! Our favorite tasting experience on our three day Finger Lake trip. A little bit out of the way from where we were staying on Seneca lake, but worth the... read more drive. Great wines, knowledgeable servers, And our tour included an extra welcome wine while we waited. It was a lot of fun. Sets a high bar for other tastings. They are being very careful with Covid restrictions as well which we appreciate
November 25, 2020