Alek and Megan, originally from Milford, Connecticut, are the founders of Divided Sky Vineyard. After developing a love for wine and fine dining in New Haven, they began vacationing and later moved to the Finger Lakes, buying land in 2015. Their vineyard now grows Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Saperavi, and Alek follows a minimal intervention philosophy in winemaking. The winery, opened in 2023, aims to provide an excellent tasting room experience.
Some of you might have read my blog post about Airy Acres last year (link here). At the time I believed that the young family enterprise held a lot of potential, so when Noah (son of Fred and Pam Bassette, owners) offered to meet with me to do a follow-up, I got my recorder and... Continue Reading →
“We are proud to be one of only a handful of vineyards on Skaneateles Lake,” Christopher Bodell (who goes by Chris) tells my wife Alice and me about Lot 10 Vineyard as we taste wine his wine with him and his partner Alicia Tsai. Alicia, Chris and Whisky The vineyard’s name is a nod to the tracts of land granted as commissions to the soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War. Chris can trace... Continue Reading →
“My grandmother Betty lived in the old farm house that was built in the 1840’s. In 2023 we’re planning on making it into our tasting room and having her picture and maybe a plaque as a dedication to her.” says Noah, son of Pam and Fred Bassette, owners of Airy Acres Vineyard. Airy Acres Vineyards... Continue Reading →
People ask me: "Why are you such a big fan of Finger Lakes wine? Isn't there good wine made in other places?" Yes, it's true, there is good wine made in lots of places, but for my wife and me wine is more than a product of grapes, it's an expression of the places and... Continue Reading →
“For my wife Jennifer and I, bravery isn’t just found in the military and first responders, it’s also found in common people. People who choose to be kind to each other, people who live a life of service” says Corey Christman, founder of Bravery Wines. After retiring from the Air Force with more than twenty... Continue Reading →
According to Jim Baker, owner and winemaker at Chateau Niagara Winery in Newfane NY, Cabernet Franc is the king of grapes in New York. But perhaps the winery is best known as one of the handful of wineries in New York that produces a varietal Saperavi. “We were one of the six original vineyards that... Continue Reading →
By Wayne M. Schutz When I asked David Gascon, the co-owner of 20 Deep Winery the meaning of the name, he replied: “The name started with the fun fact about grape vines. When they're fully established their roots can grow 20 feet deep into the ground. This resonated with our vision and our commitment to... Continue Reading →
She was going to be a small-town physician. He was going to be an environmental lawyer. Meet Daniel and Olivia Budmen, owners of Scout Vineyards in Penn Yan, NY, who started their college days with very different careers in mind. Story by Wayne Schutz. Photo credits Alice Schutz. Editing by Laura Thompson. How it All... Continue Reading →
By Wayne Schutz Last weekend Alice and I and some friends attended the first "Meet the Maker" tasting and pairing at McGregor Vineyard in Dundee, N.Y. The fabulous chocolatier Cary Becraft of CaryMo Chocolates created three special chocolates to pair with the three wines we tasted. McGregor is a well know Vineyard in the Finger Lakes... Continue Reading →
Back on January 9th, we had the opportunity to attend the "soft opening" of San's Dumplings at Kemmeter Winery. We were customer #2. Kemmeter is of course Johannes Reinhardt's winery located on Rt 14 in Penn Yan about 10 miles south of Geneva, N.Y. He has recently had a production building constructed and added... Continue Reading →
Back at the end of August last year, I had the opportunity to speak with Donna and Mike Wilson, the owners of Bright Leaf Vineyards on the east side of Cayuga Lake in King Ferry, NY, thirty minutes north of Ithaca. Bright Leaf is a “newer” winery opening its tasting room in June of 2018.... Continue Reading →
by Wayne M. Schutz While enjoying a fantastic view overlooking Cayuga valley, I sat down with Nancy Tisch and Kit Kalfs to talk about the history of Bet The Farm Winery. “I wanted to run a retail shop that sold local wine and food, and in order to do that in New York we had... Continue Reading →
Last year, we visited Weis Vineyards on Keuka Lake ( Zum Wohl! — Weis Vineyards on Keuka Lake ) . Alice and I had a chance to catch up with Peter and Ashlee to see what progress they have made. Upon our arrival, we notice the tasting room has a fresh coat of paint and... Continue Reading →
By Wayne Schutz. Photo credits Alice Schutz Alice and I were happy to be able to share the grand opening of the newest tasting room in the Finger Lakes and the second winery in Tompkins County. Nancy Tisch and Kit Kalfs, principals of "Bet The Farm" Winery now have a tasting room just north of... Continue Reading →
By Wayne Schutz, Photo Credits Alice Schutz Alice and I recently had the opportunity to interview Benny Riccardi at Barry Family Cellars in Burdett. Benny is producing fine Chardonnays, Rosé of Cabernet Franc and a Cabernet Franc varietal under his brand 'Osmote'. “Osmote means to move naturally towards balance. It's a play on the word osmosis, but for... Continue Reading →
Getting to know who’s making the Wine in the Finger Lakes 