This afternoon My friend Carol and I took an excursion to Keuka Lake for wine tasting at my two favorite vineyards - Ravines and Dr. Konstantin Frank.Both vintners practice generations-old family wine making techniques, using vines that were brought to upstate New York from Europe. Each make beautifully crafted fine wines that hold their own against most California wineries and many Europeans as well.
Some of my favorites include the Dry Riesling and Cabernet Franc from Ravines and the Brut Champagne (made from authentic Champagne grapes), Dry Riesling and Chardonnay from Dr. Frank.
Dr. Frank's vineyard sits on the west shore of Keuka Lake, with a fantastic view as shown above. The grounds include picnic areas where patrons can enjoy their purchases and relax in the pastoral setting.
Ravines offers specialty wine tastings; today featured dry red wines paired with artisan chocolates (yummy). Here Carol is enjoying a dark chocolate and a Cabernet Franc.
We finished the afternoon with a stop at Lakeside Restaurant on the west side of Keuka Lake, just a couple of miles north of Dr. Frank's. We enjoyed coffee and chocolate lava cake while watching the boaters on the lake. A beautiful afternoon of wine tasting and scenery that I highly recommend!
