First Vineyard
Reverend William Bostwick plants first vineyard in the Finger Lakes in his rectory garden in Hammondsport, NY.
First Bonded Winery
Pleasant Valley Wine company in Hammondsport, NY becomes the first bonded winery.
O-Neh-Da Vineyard
O-Neh-Da Vineyard was founded in 1872 by Rochester’s first Bishop, Bernard McQuaid, to make Sacramental Wine for the Church.
Walter Taylor Arrives
Mastercooper, Walter Taylor, arrives in Hammondsport to build barrels for growing wine industry; shortly thereafter establishes a vineyard.
Taylor Wine Company
The Taylor Wine Company established.
Experiment Station founded
New York Agricultural Experiment Station founded in Geneva, NY.
Widmer’s Wine Cellars
Widmer’s Wine Cellars established in Naples, NY.
Prohibition
Prohibition
Canandaigua Industries Co.
Canandaigua Industries Co. founded by Marvin Sands.
Experimental Planting Begins
Gold Seal hires Konstatin Frank as a consultant to begin production of vinifera varieties. Experimental plantings of various varieties and root-stocks begin.
Acquistion
Taylor Wine Company purchases Pleasant Valley Wine Co. (Great Western).
Vinifera Wine Cellars founded
Dr. Konstantin Frank creates Vinifera Wine Cellars which quickly gains respect for making excellent Riesling.
European Influence on Seneca Lake
Charles Fournier, a young European, planted 20 acres of Vinifera on the east side of Seneca Lake while at the same time German native, Hermann Wiemer, bought and planted 140 acres of Vinifera on the west side of Seneca Lake.
Direct to Public
New York Farm Winery Act is passed permitting wineries to sell directly to the public.
Glenora Wine Cellars established
Glenora Wine Cellars becomes the first winery on Seneca Lake, followed by Wagner Vineyards, Hermann Wiemer, and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.
Winery Proliferation – 1980’s-1990’s
Dozens of new wineries begin to pop up in the Finger Lakes focusing on vinifera.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
Cayuga Lake establishes first organized and longest wine trail in the Finger Lakes.
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Keuka Lake Wine Trail established.
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Seneca Lake Wine Trail established.
Acquistions
Widmer Wine Cellars in Naples, NY and Manischewitz brand assets of the Monarch Wine Company in Brooklyn acquired by Canandaigua Wine Company. The Manischewitz brand is currently produced at Widmer, as well as a number of wines formerly produced at the Taylor Wine Co. in Hammondsport, NY.
Wineries Sold
Taylor, Great Western, and Gold Seal are sold as part of a package to Vintner’s International.
First AVA
Cayuga Lake first individual lake of the Finger Lakes to earn AVA approval.
Canadaigua Wine Trail
Canandaigua Wine Trail begins.
Rapid Growth
New York wineries number in excess of 110, compared with just 19 in 1976 and 65 in 1985, with all growth in the small premium sector and concentrated in the Finger Lakes and on Long Island.
Rieslings Win Gold in Alsace
Semi-Dry Rieslings from Dr. Konstantin Frank’s and Fox Run Vineyards each earn a Gold medal in Strasbourg’s Rieslings of the World Competition.
Current Stats
Currently there are 7 wineries on Canandaigua Lake, 25 wineries on Cayuga Lake, 19 wineries on Keuka Lake, and 61 wineries on Seneca Lake.