This past April I visited Anthony Road Wine Company while traveling through the Finger Lakes. I am a big fan. Ann and John Martini moved to the region in 1973 to grow grapes and raise their family. Ann doubled as mom and vineyard manager, while John worked for Cornell University at the Agricultural Experiment Station. Originally the Martini's sold their grapes to Taylor and other makers. But in 1990, when Taylor withdrew from contracts across the state and region, Ann and John opened Anthony Road Wine Company with wines made from the 1989 crop. The vineyards are farmed sustainably, and 50% of the fruit is still sold off to other wineries.
Head Winemaker, Peter Becraft, is among the best in the region. Peter made his way to the Finger Lakes in 2006. He began working at Anthony Road and has remained there ever since. After years of apprenticing, in 2014, he took over as chief of winemaking operations. He has been among the better quality winemakers in the region and in the state ever since.
Anthony Road Rosé of Cabernet Franc 2024 is a terrific rose'. According to Peter's winemaking notes, "The fruit was machine harvested, de-stemmed, crushed and allowed to soak on the skins for 4 - 12 hours. It was pressed off into stainless steel tank and fermented for about 1 month. A small amount of Rosé of Lemberger was blended in to help extend the length of the wine and help support the aromas and flavors." This leads to an incredible floral and fresh rose wine. The nose bursts with aromas of flower petals, and big breezes of cherry, raspberry, pear, and spice. Those flavors come across on the palate as well. The kind of bright sour cherry is lip-smacking. And the wine ends with a hint of green and red melon, as well as a zippy citrus acidity which helps the fruit linger and linger. This is a big flavorful wine, elegant and extremely well made. There's great complexity as well as tremendous balance. An exceptional wine. I have never gone wrong with Anthony Road Rose of Lemberger! Neither will you.