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TASTING NOTES

The 2024 Pinot Gris is a beautifully expressive wine that highlights the unique character of our Finger Lakes vineyards. Highly aromatic on the nose, it opens with inviting layers of red Gala apples, apricot, and delicate cherry blossom, underscored by subtle hints of toast and warm spice.

On the palate, this Pinot Gris offers a rich, mouthcoating texture with a round, full body that carries generous fruit flavors through to the finish. The wine’s balance of ripeness and elegance is enhanced by a lingering note of cherry blossom and gentle spice, creating a finish that is both lifted and refined.

VINEYARD NOTES

Pinot Gris has deep roots in the Finger Lakes, first introduced to the region by our founder, Dr. Konstantin Frank. Our current plantings on the Keuka Lake estate were established in 1997, 1999, and 2002, using 188-15 rootstocks carefully selected for their adaptability and vigor. These vines grow in shallow, shale-based soils, which contribute to the wine’s hallmark minerality, vibrant acidity, and refined elegance.

In 2012, we expanded our Pinot Gris plantings to our Seneca Lake vineyard in Hector, located in the region’s warmest mesoclimate, often called the "Banana Belt." Thanks to warmer temperatures and longer sun exposure, fruit from this site delivers a riper, more expressive flavor profile, enhanced by the deep Honeoye silt loam soils unique to the area.

WINEMAKER NOTES

The 2024 growing season began with a historically mild winter, followed by an unseasonably warm spring, ranking among the warmest on record. This led to an early bud break, setting the stage for an accelerated growing cycle. Summer brought intense heat, with June and July among the hottest recorded, though consistent rainfall helped maintain vine health.

August delivered a welcome reprieve with cooler temperatures, allowing the grapes to develop complexity and balance. By early fall, most varieties were tracking nearly two weeks ahead of their typical ripening schedule. Fortunately, autumn provided ideal conditions—sunny, warm days paired with cool nights and low humidity—creating the perfect environment for a prolonged and meticulously timed harvest. With the rare luxury of choosing optimal picking times, we believe the 2024 wines will be nothing short of exceptional, showcasing remarkable ripeness, structure, and depth.

VARIETY

100% Pinot Gris.

VINIFICATION

De-Stemmed. Direct Press.

VESSEL

Stainless Steel & 500l French Puncheons.

FERMENTATION

17% Barrel Fermented in 500l French Puncheons.

ÉLEVAGE

17% in 500l French Puncheons for 3 Months.

STYLE

Dry.