Joyce and Neil Simmons established the vineyards at Keuka Spring Vineyards in 1963. They planted 40 acres on a farm of 500. They planted grapes on Keuka and Seneca lakes. In 2022 Annette and Jeff Simmons, vineyard owners for more than 45 years, acquired the winery.
Dan Bissell is the head winemaker. He''s been making wine at Keuka Springs for six years now (three as head winemaker). He is an affable fellow. I just caught up with him recently at the Cab Franc Forward event in NYC at the Prince Georges Ballroom earlier this month. I tasted three very excellent wines.
The first wine was the Keuka Spring Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2024. "The Fingers Lakes' cool climate allows Cab Franc to shine with purity, balance, and finesse, showcasing a style that is distinctly New York," said Dan. This medium bodied, easy-to-drink Cab Franc features black cherry, red raspberry and red cassis, spices, including white pepper, and a kind of earthiness, and a hint of bramble. This Cab Franc is a lovely, soft offering, making the wine more accessible. A wonderful sipper, and a well made wine.
Keuka Spring Vineyards Epic 2024 was also excellent. This wine is made from Simmons Vineyards grapes - 65% Cabernet Franc and 35% Blaufrankisch. A well thought out, well-executed field blend, EPIC is a co-ferment from the same block of Simmons Family Vineyards. Planted on the Bluff across from their tasting room, the site features well-drained soils and lake-moderated climate. The wine is aged in neutral oak for six months. A lovely, juicy wine, with great color, complexity, and well balanced.
Dan poured a third wine - something truly off the charts - Keuka Springs Vineyard Winemaker's Reserve Cabernet Franc 2024. The bottle had no label as of the tasting - so a real advance sneak-peak. The Keuka Spring Vineyards Winemaker's Reserve series features a black and gold label with a touch of gloss on the KSV initials. Winemaker's Reserve was a small batch wine, aged in 100% new French oak. I tend to like my Cabernet Franc on the less oaky side, so I was suspicious - but this wine was an absolute eye-opener. Big dark fruit - black cherry, dark raspberry, dark plums, and a hint of cassis. The tannins were bigger than the other two wines, but gave this bigger wine a real sense of structure and backbone. Absolutely stellar!
Great job Dan Bissell and his team! A big win for Keula Spring Vineyards!