One of the newest Seneca Lake Wineries; Catharine Valley is a family owned and operated Farm Winery committed to deliver the very finest Domestic and Alsatian style varietal wines. You can be assured of a warm welcome with a uniquely
local charm. It’s our goal to echo the same warm welcoming environment that Queen Catharine herself was noted for.
Donald and Jessica Kilcoyne are the owners. They met in college and dreamed someday of owning a winery. Eventually, they found their way to the finger lakes and bought 35 acres. Thankfully, their purchase included eight acres of productive vineyards.
Catharine Valley Winery, is located on the east side of Seneca Lake, a few miles north of Watkins Glen. Don and Jessica delved into the local history with visits to the Schuyler County Historical Society.
"We liked the name of the region," says Jessica, referring to how they came up with the name for the winery. The name pays tribute to the land nourished by Catharine Creek, winding its way from Pine Valley, through Montour Falls and emptying into Seneca Lake at Watkins Glen.
According to Jeff Richards of the Star-Gazette:
"The 2002 Traminette has a spicy, full-fruit nose. A cousin to gewurztraminer, it has delightful, spicy flavor with a very smooth finish."
"The 2002 Riesling is lighter-bodied than several others from the Finger Lakes. It is a semidry wine that starts with a peach taste and finishes with the taste of green apples."
"The Lost Irishman is a sweet, smooth Catawba wine made from the Catawba grapes already producing on four acres of the Kilcoyne's land. They have planted pinot gris, merlot and cabernet franc grapes, and Don and Jessica plan to next plant grapes for traminette, gewurztraminer and Riesling."
Their emphasis will be on Alsatian-style wines. "They tend to be drier, bigger and yummy," Don told Jeff.
The Lost Irishman is one of their most popular wines. And by all accounts its a fun sipping wine.
Congrats to Don and Jessica! Stop by and see their on your way around the Finger Lakes. A wonderful find!