Our Winery
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: JEANNE OR JUDY WILTBERGER 315-536-3147 Keuka Spring Vineyards to Host "Holiday Barrel Tasting" Ever wonder how those freshly harvested grapes become fine wines? Go behind the scenes at Keuka Spring Vineyards’ annual Holiday Barrel tasting Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4. 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 2011 vintage. “Along with the library tastings we have in the summer, this is a way for people to have a fun and interactive experience learning about our wine and the winemaking process behind it,” says Mark Wiltberger, winemaker at Keuka Spring Vineyards. “It’s held in the barrel room, where the wine is actually made, and offers guests the opportunity to learn a few winemaking secrets.” The fee includes the barrel tasting, a complimentary wine glass, and a festive hors d’oeuvres reception. Discounts for the event are available for Keuka Spring case and wine club members. Reservations are required and tasting sessions fill up quickly. Participants in the barrel tasting will have the opportunity to purchase special pre-released vintages and access to special discounts. The tasting room, fully decorated for the holidays, will be open for regular business weekends in December just before Christmas. 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 for the Holiday Barrel tasting, contact the winery at 315-536-3147. For more information, visit www.keukaspringwinery.com.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeanne or Judy Wiltberger
Phone: 315-536-3147
Seasonal Cuisine Authors to Sign New Cookbook at Keuka Spring Vineyards
Ginger and Dick Howell, owners of the The Seasonal Kitchen Cooking School, will be at Keuka Spring Vineyards on Keuka Lake on Saturday, December 3 to sign copies of their new cookbook, Finger Lakes Wines and Seasonal Cuisine. Guests will be able to meet the couple and sample their Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Strawberry Avocado Salsa paired with Keuka Spring Vineyards’ 2009 Lemberger. The event is free and runs from 3 pm to 5 pm at Keuka Spring Vineyards near Penn Yan on Keuka Lake.
The Howells are the parents of Holly Howell, wine columnist for Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle, who also gives wine classes at The Seasonal Kitchen. Their new cookbook is a collection the couple's top 12 recipes from their 30 years of teaching, each paired with a Finger Lakes wine.
Lemberger is a dry red wine made from the Austrian-originated grape (also called Blaufrankisch) and has been a popular and acclaimed wine for the Wiltbergers, owners of Keuka Spring Vineyards since they planted the variety in the late 90’s.
Keuka Spring Vineyards is also hosting their annual Holiday Barrel Tasting that weekend and the tasting room is decorated for the holidays. Reservations can be made by calling the winery at 315-536-3147. More information is available on their web site (KeukaSpringWinery.com). The two events are concurrent; guests may participate in both if they’d like.
Keuka Spring Vineyards is located at 243 State Route 54 (East Lake Road) just past Penn Yan on the east side of Keuka Lake.
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Keuka Spring Vineyards’ Miller’s Cove Red Wins Best in Show at New York State Fair
The 2009 vintage of Miller’s Cove Red, produced by Keuka Spring Vineyards on Keuka Lake, took top honors at this year’s New York State Fair commercial wine competition. The wine was awarded Best in Show (Best in State) out of almost 400 wines from around the state submitted for review. The wine, a full-bodied blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon reminiscent of plum and black cherry, is named after the cove on Keuka Lake that sits close to the winery.
photo courtesy of Gail Eyer
“We’re thrilled to have earned this award,” says Len Wiltberger, owner of Keuka Spring Vineyards with wife Judy. “Miller’s Cove Red has always been a favorite wine for our customers. It’s a wonderful complement to steaks in the summer and hearty food in the winter.”
In addition Keuka Spring Vineyards earned Gold Medals for their 2009 Seyval Chardonnay and 2010 Riesling in the competition. They have also earned Gold medals for their 2010 Vignoles, Clara’s Red, Chardonnay, Lemberger, and Crooked Lake White in competitions in Florida, Tasters Guild, Great Lakes Great Wine, Amenti del Vino, and San Francisco International this year. New releases available for tasting at the winery include their 2010 Gewurztraminer, 2010 Semi Sweet Riesling, and Celebrate in addition to the previously mentioned wines.
Keuka Spring Vineyards is located at 243 Route 54, just outside of Penn Yan on the east side of Keuka Lake. With a fantastic view of Keuka Lake, Keuka Spring Vineyards is a great place for picnics and also has a gift shop fully stocked with unique and handmade gifts. Owners Len and Judy Wiltberger have been committed to producing premium wines since they founded the winery in 1985. For more information about their wines and upcoming events, visit www.KeukaSpringWinery.com.
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Kickin' Back with Kickin' Back
Music Series at Keuka Spring Vineyards
Keuka Spring Vineyards' summer music series kicks off with Agonal Rhythm on Sunday, July 31. Agonal Rhythm is self-named "the Finger Lakes favorite party band." Music will begin about 2 pm and go into the afternoon. Cold wine is available by the glass and the bottle. Admission is free.
On Saturday, August 20 and Saturday, September 3, Keuka Spring Vineyards will host the band, Kickin’ Back, out of Fairport, NY in the afternoons. The band plays a mix of pop/rock tunes. The events are free and open to the public. Visitors are invited to take advantage of the view of Keuka Lake from the winery’s terrace while enjoying the music. Wine tasting and picnic snacks are available. September 3 will feature a "Build Your Own Burger" bar provided by Blue Heron Acres, procurers of American Wagyu Beef in northern Pennsylvania.
“What a great way to enjoy one of my favorite times of year,” says Jeanne Wiltberger, promotion coordinator at Keuka Spring Vineyards. “I love the summer in the Finger Lakes. What could be more fun than passing the afternoon listening to familiar and fun tunes, while taking in the scenery and enjoying cold wine and snacks?”
Last in their music series this year is The Galtee Mountain Boys, with Irish-themed music, playing on Sunday, September 11th in the afternoon.
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 about Music and Wine series and other events at the winery, visit www.keukaspringwinery.com or contact the winery at 315-536-3147.
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SUMMER WINE SERIES BEGINS AT KEUKA SPRING VINEYARDS
Summer has officially begun and so has Keuka Spring Vineyards' annual wine education series. The series starts with “Shrimp and Chardonnay” on Saturday, July 9. The event will feature a vertical tasting of award-winning Keuka Spring Chardonnay wines paired with a shrimp appetizer.
In a vertical vintage tasting or library tasting, different vintages (or years) of the same wine varietal are compared and contrasted. This will be the 18th annual Chardonnay library tastng at Keuka Spring Vineyards. Guided tastings will be held in small groups, outside on the winery's hillside terrace overlooking Keuka Lake (weather permitting). Reservations are encouraged but not mandatory. The tasting fee of $12 includes an intimate tasting, shrimp pairing plate, and souvenir wine glass. A special discount for Keuka Spring case club and wine club members applies. Next in the series is “Merlot and Mignon” on August 6.
“We invite visitors to learn about wine concepts--how we grow the grapes here at the vineyard, how the wines we make vary from vintage to vintage, and the effect of aging on our wines, while enjoying the tasting," says Len Wiltberger, co-owner of the winery with his wife Judy. “Our Chardonnay grapes are from the same vineyard, so nuances in winemaking style and year-to-year weather variation make a difference in the finished wine. People get a kick out of what their senses tell them about the wines and that makes it really fun.”
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 about their summer series and photos of events, visit www.keukaspringwinery.com , or contact the winery at 315-536-3147 to make a reservation.
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KEUKA SPRING VINEYARDS TO HOLD 2ND EVENT IN SUMMER WINE SERIES:
"MERLOT AND MIGNON" ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keuka Spring Vineyards Judged Best White Wine at Largest Competition of American Wines
Keuka Spring Vineyards' 2008 Gewurztraminer was judged the Best White Wine in the largest competition of American wines in the world. 4,913 American wines were judged by 63 wine experts at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. The Gewurztraminer was chosen from all of the white wines as the Sweepstakes winner. “We're thrilled about this award,” said Mark Wiltberger, winemaker at Keuka Spring Vineyards. “When you think about the fact that this competition judged outstanding Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Gris from across the country, it is extremely gratifying to be recognized.” “Gewurztraminer is a unique varietal. The 2008 Gewurztraminer has strong, bright, tropical fruit character and a hint of spiciness. People are often pleasantly surprised when they try it for the first time. In the Finger Lakes we have the perfect climate for these fresh, lively wines,” Wiltberger said. Keuka Spring Vineyards is located at 243 State Route 54, East Lake Road, Penn Yan, NY. The Wiltberger family celebrates the winery's 25th
anniversary this year. For further information on the 2008 Gewurztraminer and other award-winning wines visit www.KeukaSpringWinery.com or call (315) 536-3147.
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