Konstantin Frank, one of the most important wineries in the Finger Lakes region of New York State
This is one of the most well known (and important) of the Finger Lakes wineries, with a debut vintage of 1962. Konstantin Frank came to the USA from Ukraine after the war speaking no English. He’d been a viticulturist in Odessa, and there he was able to grow vinifera despite the freezing winters. In the Finger Lakes, people thought the winters were too cold for vinifera, but Konstantin knew he’d be able to do it, and he started with Riesling. He went on to plant 60 different varieties of vinifera.
For the full story, read this report.
I tasted these wines as part of the FLXcursion in the Finger Lakes region.
Konstantin Frank Riesling Nature 2021 Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
This is traditional method with no dosage. Stony and bright with nice citrus drive. Has good acidity and a bit of grip. 91/100
Konstantin Frank Estate Blanc de Blancs 2021 Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
Four years on lees. Fresh and refined with crystalline citrus with some lemon and lime and a touch of spice. Vivid and bright with some pithy hints, finishing quite dry. 92/100
Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling 2025 Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
Floral and fruity with expressive citrus fruit and a floral edge. Nice texture on the palate. This is supple and textural. Fine, light and lovely. 93/100
Konstantin Frank Ethos 2025 Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
12% alcohol. This is 60% Riesling and 40% Rkatsiteli. Supple and rounded with transparent pear and citrus fruit. This has elegance and poise with a finely spiced finish. 92/100
Konstantin Frank Semi Dry Riesling 2025 Finger Lakes, New York
This has 25 g/l residual sugar. This comes from a warmer site, Hector, which is between Cayuga and Seneca Lake, with deep topsoil. Richly textured and just off-dry with nice balance and good palate weight. 93/100
Konstantin Frank Eugenia Riesling 2020 Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes, New York (magnum)
This vineyard was planted in 1958, and has very little top soil. Rich, stony and mineral. This has nice pear and apple fruit with some lemon, showing nice depth. Stony detail on the finish. 94/100
