New York's West Coast - Arrowhead Springs Vineyards Cab Franc

While I was at the Cab Franc Forward event in New York City in early February this year, I tasted a number of excellent red wines. One of the most impressive shows of the tasting was Arrowhead Springs Vineyards. They had three wines that showed beautifully - Cab Franc Reserve 2023, Cab Franc 2022 (stainless steel red), and Cabernet Franc Reserve 2012. All three were brilliant and all three were among my favorites of the event. And a shocker considering they were grown in the Niagara Escarpment, out by Lake Erie, as Duncan joking calls it, "New York's west coast."

 

Robin and Duncan Ross are the owners and winemakers of Arrowhead Spring Vineyards, a sustainably certified winery located in Lockport, New York, within the Niagara Escarpment wine region. Founded more than 20 years ago, the estate features 38 acres of vineyards and specializes in vinifera grapes and minimal-intervention wines. I've known them both for almost 20 years. God, that sounds old. And they've always been one of the top two or three quality producers in the western part of the state, near Buffalo. These are really great folks. They've grown their winery smartly, and carefully, and produce only vinifera wines. They went from a single planting to a large winery. Robin managed the vineyard until 2025. Many memories of her working in the fields with their dog. Duncan primarily focuses on the winemaking, and Robin focuses on sales and marketing. Their son James also participates on the sales side. Like I said, great folks.

The first wine I tasted was the Arrowhead Springs Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2022. This is their stainless steel Cabernet Franc, which saw no oak. This is a lovely, fruit forward wine, with cherry, red raspberry, and notes of cranberry and spice. Soft and approachable. And even a light touch of minerality. A super, super, very drinkable. Cab Franc. Delicious. Terrific.

Cabernet Franc Barrel Aged Reserve 2023 was also fantastic. Traditionally made and sustainably produced with minimal intervention, this wine is made with 100% estate grown fruit. The wine is aged in oak for 18-24 months. This is a dark, deep Cabernet Franc, with notes of dark stewed fruits - dark cherries, dark raspberries, and cassis - with nice tannins, Finishes with black tea, black pepper, and long lasting cherry notes. Well balanced. Well structured. A beautiful, dig dark wine made for roasted meats or spicier pasta dishes. Absolutely another big winner on the day.

The biggest shock of the day, however, was the Arrow Head Springs Estate Cabernet Franc 2012. Now, this was a great wine when it was released back in the day. But to choose a 2012 wine - a 14 year old Cabernet Franc from the Niagara Escarpment - for the master Class? That's bold! But that's what Kevin Zraly of Windows on the World Wine Course did!

The wine is a combination of purple0red-black in color. Big nose of dark chocolate and roses, with dark cherry, black raspberry, boysenberry, and cassis on the palate as well. There were lovely spices. A hint of fallen leaves. Super smooth, this wine is just peaking now. This wine, against a number of other wineries, showed incredibly well. It was spectacular. 

Arrowhead Springs Vineyards is made on the West Coast...of New York. And they are making amazing wines!