I just tried this rose' at the recent Cab Franc Forward event hosted by Neverstill Winery on Warren Street in Hudson, NY. Millbrook Vineyards has long been one of my favorite Hudson Valley wineries. They have long been a major producer of quality wines. I love their Tocai Friulano, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc. They've had some great staff there, and one of the most workman-like, lunch-pail winemakers, John Graziano, who racked up a Hall of Fame honors in a quiet manner kinda like Stan Musial
Today there is Ian Bearup. Standing on the shoulders of Giants, Bearup is clearly forging his own path in the best possible way. Bearup's reach is impressive, and he's starting off with a vineyard producing great fruit, in an organization that believes in producing great wine.
And I am a big fan of winemaker Ian Bearup. Can you tell?
According to the website, Bearup was born in Northern California but was raised in Upstate NY. After attending Elon University in North Carolina, Ian moved back to Northern California with the notion to get involved with the wine and grape industry. His first harvest was in 2007 at St. Francis Winery in Santa Rosa, California. He then spent a year in Anderson Valley at Husch Vineyard. In 2009, Ian worked in New Zealand. Then to Oregon, in the Willamette Valley. He then moved to the Russian River/Sonoma Coast in 2010 and worked at Ballett, where he became Associate Winemaker. In spring of 2021, Ian and his family moved across the country where became the Winemaker at Millbrook.
The Fleur de Franc Rosé is a highly sought-after, limited-edition 100% Cabernet Franc rosé produced by Millbrook Vineyards & Winery in the Hudson Valley. It is a nano-production, estate-grown wine made via the saignée method. The wine is tank fermented slowly at 55F to preserve its vivid character. Just 25 cases are produced. Because production numbers are kept extremely small, the "Fleur de Franc" is generally only available to purchase at their Hudson Valley tasting room.
The Millbrook Fleur de Franc Rose 2025 is a spectacular wine, with a love floral nose of violets, fresh strawberries, bright cherries, and watermelon. On the palate all those come through as promised as well as crunchy green apple, and a lovely minor note of salinity. This bone dry wine delivers fruit like no one's business. There's also a lemon and lime citrus note, which catapult the strawberry and lime to linger beautifully for a nice long time. Ian Bearup has done a stellar job. A huge swing for the fences. A sensational wine.
Congrats to Ian Bearup and Millbrook.