John and Ann Martini moved to Anthony Road in 1973. Ann grew up in Rochester and the New York City suburbs in New Jersey; John grew up in the same New Jersey suburbs. Ann had been a teacher. John had worked in the Peace Corps, then in business. With the help of family and friends they planted their first 5-acres in the summer of 1973. The vineyard grew, to 30-acres. The Martinis had four children. Today they have 12 grandchildren. And Anthony road is one of the most successful and influential wineries in the finger lakes.
Peter Martini is the vineyard manager. He graduated from Clarkson University in 1990 with a BS degree in business management Peter has the responsibility for managing the vineyard operation for Anthony Road. Recent plantings of Cabernet Franc, Lemberger and Pinot Noir have been added to the existing Riesling and Vignoles acreage. Since 2002, he has managed their joint project with the Young family of California and planting the first section of the new vineyard on Nutt Road.
We went to the tasting room which has been redone over the last few years. It’s a fantastic space that over looks one of the family’s vineyards
Peter Becraft is the head winemaker at Anthong Road. Peter’s proverbial better half is his feisty chocolatier wife Cary who sometimes works the winery but who is better known as CaryMo Chocolate. She is funny is hell, but she’s serous about chocolate. And he chocolate is exotic, beautiful, and delicious! We love her.
White Bubbly. Their Bubbly is a dry blend of Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris done in stainless steel, and with a shock of bubbles. A great wine to celebrate all life's moments. Rich ad I both raised our eyebrows at this Great way to start the tasting.
2019 Riesling Dry
A great zippy food wine. Hints of tangerine, apple, pineapple, ginger and white lily.
2018 Pinot Gris
Green apple and citus burst through. Nice acidty dry finish. Great food wine
2014 Art Series Riesling
Floral notes…citrusy,,,green apple…great structure, minerality and well integrated acidity. Truly elegant. Loved this!
Rose of Lemberger
Pale-salmon-pink, Crisp. Bright, red raspberry up front. Limestone melon and strawberry come though. Nice acidic ending.
But’s here’s Peter’s thoughts on the wine.
Peter Beecraft has an education in Fine Arts and previously worked in fashion photography. He came to Anthony Road in May of 2006 for a tasting and a cellar visit. This then lead to working a harvest. Then to being a full-time assistant winemaker by 2008. When the winemaker left to found his own winery, Peter was given the opportunity to show his stuff. He has since evolved into one of the better and more versatile winemakers in the region. The white wines the winery had become famous for have maintained or improved. And his red wine game has come on strong. As head winemaker Peter has shown finesse and passion, as well as I an eye for high quality. It’s a match made in heaven! Anthony Road has gone from being a successful winery to a successful artisan house. And Peter has been there almost ever step of the way! His dream job? Yes. Peter says, please dont wake me! Don’t worry Peter, we wont!Next was the Gray Label series.
2017 Barrel Ferment Gewurztraminer The primary and malolactic fermentations took place in large format oak barrels. Aged in barrel on it's lees for 8 months. Fantastic nose!! One of my favorites!
2014 Skin Ferment RieslingA deep yellow straw colored wine. This Riesling was fermented on the skins, resulting in a wine with more focus on the savory aspects of the grape.
2016 Barrel Ferment Pinot GrisThe Primary and malolactic fermentation all took place in Hungarian oak – beautiful wine. well balanced Complex. Elegant great structure. One of my favorites of the tasting.
Skin Fermented Pinot GrisThis wine was fermented on the skins Big Mouthfeel. Lovely lush wine. Great zippy ending. Wow! Loved this one.
Fun semi-sweet red sparkler. Super popular!
Loved the Cabernet Franc-Lemberger blend. Big fruit up front. Lovely smooth middle.Nice tannins. Good lingering fruit on finish.
BARREL TASTING WITH PETERPeter toured us through a number of barrels. I can’t talk about all of them Some were blends, experiemnts, but I can tell you they were great There I two I can spill the beans about.Barrel Aged Chard older French oak 19Fragrent Lush Terrific nose. Fantastic mouthfeel Lovely, light toast. Fruit lingered forever.2019 Lemberger is off the chartsAlmost tastes like a really good pinot noir big cherry notes. Super super smoothGreat to see old friends like Cary and Peter. And even more impressive to see what they've accomplished. Great stuf. Anthony Road is one of the premiere producers in the Finger Lakes.