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Read our profile from the Democrat and Chronicle's Finger Lakes Wine website:
Keuka Spring Winery
Len Wiltberger shares a taste for adventure with his wife, Judy.
So when he decided to leave behind a 30-year career at Eastman Kodak Co. in the 1980s, Judy was game for the change.
Taking that risk has paid off for the Wiltbergers, owners of Keuka Spring Vineyards in Penn Yan, Yates County.
With help from their kids and 13 staffers, the couple now produces 20,000 gallons of wine annually and manages 10 acres of vineyards.
With more than 15 selections available for sampling, a visit to Keuka Spring feels like taking a crash course in the breadth of Finger Lakes wines. Options range from the 2006 Seyval ($9.99), a crisp white wine with Granny Smith apple and citrus flavors, to the 2006 Lemberger ($18.99), a medium-bodied red boasting notes of smoke and berries.
Events featuring food and wine parings have proved critical to the winery’s success, Len says. Two of the most popular are the annual “Shrimp and Chardonnay” in July and “Merlot and Mignon” in August.
Len also attributes part of the winery’s success to the experience he gained as a systems analyst and strategic planner for Kodak.
“One of things that (working at) Kodak did was it helped me to see all the dimensions of a large business – everything from marketing to production to distribution,” he says.
Judy says her prior career as a teacher for the Rochester City School District helps her keep the tasting room staff prepared to answer visitors’ questions.
“We’re finding that people (visiting) like to have fun, and they also like to really learn about wine and walk away with some new thoughts and knowledge,” she says.
Len says that he’s thrilled with the 2007 vintage, even at this early stage.
“Even though they’re so young and they might be a little rough at this point, we like the color, the bouquets and the mouth-feel we’re getting right now,” he says.
To illustrate their confidence in the vintage, the Wiltbergers hosted a barrel tasting in early December. Participants were to taste two whites and three reds from 2007 in the winery’s tank room and then compare them to selections from 2006.
The cost ($10) included hors d’oeuvres and a complimentary wine glass.
Keuka Spring Vineyards, 243 Route 54 (East Lake Road) in Penn Yan, Yates County, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, from Dec. 1 to 23. Open January through March by appointment. Hours in April are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Open daily from May 1 through Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Phone: (315) 536-3147. Web: www.keukaspringwinery.com. No tasting fee to sample five wines. Wheelchair-accessible.
By Sheila Livadas, for www.fingerlakeswine.com
Contact: Judy Wiltberger
TASTE UPCOMING VINTAGES AT KEUKA SPRING VINEYARDS'
"HOLIDAY BARREL TASTING"
Ever wonder how those freshly harvested grapes become fine wines in bottles? Go behind the scenes at Keuka Spring Vineyards’ barrel tasting Saturday, December 8. The day will feature exclusive, small group barrel tastings in the tank room with the winemaking team, comparing bottled vintages with barrel samples of the upcoming 2007 vintage. “Along with the library tastings we have in the summer, this is a way for people to have a really fun and interactive experience learning about our wine and the winemaking process behind it,” says Len Wiltberger, owner of Keuka Spring Vineyards. “The barreled wines are the early versions of next year’s vintages. By hosting a barrel tasting just after harvest, we offer visitors the chance to learn more about the process that transforms fresh, ripe grapes into wine.”
A $10 fee includes the barrel tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and a complementary wine glass. Reservations are required. Those participating in the barrel tasting will have the opportunity to purchase special pre-released vintages. The tasting room, open for regular business, will also feature special holiday discounts on wines and gifts that day.
Keuka Spring Vineyards is located at 243 State Route 54 (East Lake Road) just outside of Penn Yan on the east side of Keuka Lake. Owners Len and Judy Wiltberger have been committed to producing premium wines since they founded the winery in 1985. To make reservations, contact the winery at 315-536-3147. For more information, visit www.keukaspringwinery.com.
Phone: 315-536-3147
RED WINE AND CHOCOLATE TASTING AT KEUKA SPRING VINEYARDS
Red, sweet, and rich – no, it’s not Valentine’s Day yet! But as the weather cools down from the dog days of summer enjoy a warming treat. Keuka Spring Vineyards will host its annual Red Wine & Chocolate tasting Saturday, September 22 from 11 am to 5 pm. This year’s tasting features chocolate from the Chocolatier of Hammondsport, chocolate from Highland Chocolates of Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, and homemade chocolate chili. The chocolate samples will be paired with Keuka Spring Vineyards’ premium red wines, including this year’s double gold medal-winning Epic Reserve, gold medal-winning Miller’s Cove Red, and gold medal-winning Crooked Lake Red. No reservations are necessary and $5 includes the tasting and a wine glass. There will be live music from 1 to 3 (weather permitting).
Keuka Spring Vineyards is located at 243 State Route 54 (East Lake Road) just outside of Penn Yan on the east side of Keuka Lake. Owners Len and Judy Wiltberger have been committed to producing premium wines since they founded the winery in 1985. For more information, visit www.keukaspringwinery.com or contact the winery at 315-536-3147.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeanne or Judy Wiltberger
315-536-3147
KEUKA SPRING TO HOST MERLOT & MIGNON TASTING
Can you tell a Merlot from a Cabernet? How about a Merlot from a Merlot? You can test your taste buds at Keuka Spring Vineyards’ second vertical wine tasting of the season Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12. The event features four different year’s vintages of Keuka Spring Merlot wines compared side by side, accompanied by a filet mignon appetizer. Merlot & Mignon is part of an annual series of event tastings Keuka Spring has held for over 13 years.
“Visitors return each year excited to sample the new Merlot and see how past years’ vintages compare. The filet mignon appetizer, prepared with Len’s special sauce, is perfect with full-bodied Merlots. The event is a great opportunity to learn more about wine and taste it in a fun, relaxed, and scenic atmosphere.” says Judy Wiltberger, co-owner of Keuka Spring Vineyards with her husband Len. “People really enjoy it.”
Merlot & Mignon is from 11 am to 5 pm Saturday, August 11 and Sunday, August 12 at Keuka Spring Vineyards. No tickets or reservations are necessary. A $5 fee includes a guided outdoor tasting (weather permitting), appetizer, and glass.
Keuka Spring Vineyards has earned numerous awards for their Merlot wines, including a Best in Class for their 2001 Merlot vintage at the New York Wine & Food Classic. They are located at 243 State Route 54 just outside of Penn Yan on the east side of Keuka Lake. Owners Len and Judy Wiltberger have been committed to producing premium wines since they founded the winery in 1985. For more information, visit www.keukaspringwinery.com or contact the winery at 315-536-3147.
Contact: Judy or Jeanne Wiltberger
Phone: 315-536-3147
KEUKA SPRING VINEYARDS TO HOST SHRIMP & CHARDONNAY TASTING
Can you tell a Chardonnay from a Riesling? How about a Chardonnay from a Chardonnay? Test your taste buds next Saturday and Sunday at Keuka Spring Vineyards’ vertical vintage Chardonnay tasting. “This is a fantastic way for visitors to really learn about wine and our local terroir” says Len Wiltberger, owner of Keuka Spring Vineyards with his wife Judy Wiltberger. “People can taste subtle year-to-year variations in each Chardonnay. The grapes are from the same vineyard, so nuances in each vintage are due to the effects of weather and winemaking style. It’s a really fun way to taste wine and test your taste buds,” he continues. “For example, some Chardonnays are more buttery in their finish and others are more fruit-forward, Burgundy style wines.”
What is a vertical vintage tasting? For Keuka Spring Vineyards, it’s comparing different vintages (or years) of the same varietal. They have been doing these types of tastings for over 13 years. “These events have earned a spot on the calendar each year” says Judy Wiltberger. “They are popular with both new and regular visitors.” Shrimp & Chardonnay is Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15 from 11 am to 5 pm at Keuka Spring Vineyards. No tickets are necessary, and $5 includes the tasting, shrimp appetizer, and a glass.
Keuka Spring Vineyards is located at 280 State Route 54 just outside of Penn Yan on the east side of Keuka Lake. Owners Len and Judy Wiltberger have been committed to producing premium wines since they founded the winery in 1985. For more information, visit www.keukaspringwinery.com or contact the winery at 315-536-3147.
Photos from 2007 Shrimp and Chardonnay
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeanne or Judy Wiltberger
Phone: 315-536-3147
KITE EVENT TO BENEFIT LOCAL CARE HOME
Combine fresh air and wine tasting, and support a community effort. Keuka Spring Vineyards will host the third annual “Kites over Keuka” Saturday, June 16 from 11 am to 5 pm. The event includes the opportunity to fly kites, wine tasting, live music, and hot food. The New York Kite Enthusiasts will again come to fly large and colorful kites on the property. A portion of the proceeds will support the Keuka Comfort Care Home, a home for the terminally ill started by local volunteers and scheduled to open this July.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own kite, while a limited number of kites will be available for purchase at the winery. Refreshments will also be available for purchase and wine tasting is complementary.
“Kites over Keuka” is free and open to the public. Keuka Spring Vineyards is located at 280 Route 54 just outside of Penn Yan on the east side of Keuka Lake. Owners Len and Judy Wiltberger have been committed to producing premium wines since they founded the winery in 1985. For more information, visit www.KeukaSpringWinery.com or contact the winery at 315-536-3147.
Photos from Kites over Keuka 2007
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