Keuka Lake Vineyards (KLV) produces stellar wines primarily from our estate vineyards. KLV’s hillside vineyards overlook Keuka Lake from the west and east sides. Finger Lakes glacial soils vary widely across the region but also within our 40 acres. The terroir together with their varied solar orientation account for the unique character of each vineyard.
Mel & Dorothee Goldman planted the first vineyard in 1998, Since then, KLV has been planting vines over many years, starting with the grape Mel realized could make world class wine, namely Riesling. Gradually, since 2004, KLV has also planted Cabernet Franc, Vignoles and Leon Millot. KLV was fortunate to acquire the rights to a 70-year-old vineyard of Leon Millot planted by Finger Lakes pioneer, Charles Fournier, an immigrant Frenchman responsible for introducing various hybrid and vinifera varieties and improving wine quality in the Finger Lakes. In 2022, KLV added Seyval Blanc to the mix by caring for and making wine from seven acres owned by neighbors Carrie and Marko Radivoyevitch. Seyval Blanc forms the core of KLV’s sparkling production.
Since the 2005 vintage, KLV has made 20 vintages of wine, growing gradually to maintain wine quality. The 3000 cases currently produced each year includes Riesling, Vignoles, Cabernet Franc Leon Millot, and Seyval Blanc supplemented by a bit of estate Pinot Noir and Blaufrankisch that we acquire from an excellent vineyard and grower.
To ensure quality, KLV employs top-notch professional winemaking and viticulture staff and is committed to sustainable vineyard and winery practices. KLV was among the first group of vineyards to be certified a New York Sustainable Winegrower. Sustainability, minimal intervention and crafting spectacular wines is what drives us at KLV. The wines have been recognized: Twice, we have won the Best Red Wine in NYS and once the Best White Wine. KLV has been awarded 4 times with coveted medals in Alsace, France for its world class Rieslings. The extraordinary achievement was a Gold Medal in 2022, awarded that year only to a few other French and German wines out of hundreds of world-wide entries. And our Rieslings, Cabernet Francs and Vignoles have been repeatedly rated 90 or above by the wine journals including Wine Spectator and the Wine Advocate.
