|
In
the News
As see
in The Observer on January 29, 2003
By Gwen Chamberlain
Rooster
Hill Vineyards
New Winery
Give Hoffmans Something To Crow About
MILO
- Dave and Amy Hoffman's story is becoming a familiar one.
A successful couple vacations in the Finger Lakes, falls in
love with the area and decides to return for good.
The
Hoffman's story is a little different. They returned to Keuka
Lake several times before deciding to settle here permanently,
but they have dug in big time - and are seriously putting
down roots.
David
and Amy Hoffman are the owners of Keuka Lake's newest winery-due
to open in May-Rooster Hill Vineyards on the east side of
Keuka Lake, just south of George Fullagar Road.
The Hoffmans moved to Keuka Lake in 1999
when they wanted to simplify their lives. Amy, a former marketing
executive for a Fortune 50 high-tech company and David, a
financial planner and tax advisor, left Southern California
to move closer to their hometowns of Akron, outside of Batavia
and Clarence, east of Buffalo.
"We knew we wanted to do something
here to make a living," says Amy. When they learned they
could buy several acres of long-neglected vineyards across
the road from their newly-built home in early 2000, they traded
their business suits and briefcases for jeans and work boots
and have never looked back.
They spent hours learning about grape growing
and the wine industry from others in the business before breaking
ground for the new winery on July 23, 2002. It was a push
to have the production space and crush area ready for the
2002 harvest, but Sutherland Builders came through, and Winemaker
Barry Tortolon was able to oversee the winery's first crush.
Tortolon has been making wines for 15 years.
After training in California in the 1980s, he honed his skills
at home, and crafted wines at Fulkerson's, Glenora and Fox
Run.
His favorite wine to work with is Gewurztraminer,
says Tortolon, explaining, "It is unique to the area.
One year I made three different styles."
Now tanks and barrels of their first vintage
quietly stand in the sparkling, spotless new wine cellar.
Amy says their goal is to offer ultra premium
wines in an upscale yet casual atmosphere where anyone will
be comfortable.
They will offer Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir,
Riesling, Cayuga, Seyval Blank and Vidal produced from local
vineyards and Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from vineyards
on the north fork of Long Island. Their first year of production
should yield about 2,000 cases, says Amy. While Chardonnay
will not be on their tasting list this year, they will plant
some in their own 35 acres.
In 2002 the Hoffmans planted the Savina
Estate Vineyard with Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Pinot Noir
and Lemberger. Savina, named after Amy's great grandmother,
will yield its first fruit for winemaking in 2004.
This year they will plant the Catherine
Estate Vineyard, named after Amy's great aunt. This vineyard,
at a slightly higher elevation, will include Lemberger, Riesling,
Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer.
There's really nothing romantic or magical
about the name of the winery, explains Amy. As she and a friend
sat in her kitchen puzzling over possible names, her friend
looked around at Amy's rooster inspired décor and recommended
they name the winery Rooster Hill.
"I really like roosters and their colors
really lend themselves to marketing, so we latched on to it,"
she says.
The interior of the newly built country
style building plays with the colors and styles of the Tuscan
region of Italy. The focal point of the tasting room is the
view of Keuka Lake, which will be easily visible from anyplace
around the oval tasting bar, yet to be installed.
A broad porch surrounding three sides of
the building will be the ideal setting for evening tasting
events, notes Amy, general manager of the winery. She also
calls herself a cellar rat, and quickly adds, "I'm happiest
when I'm on my tractor."
Back to the top |
