1829

First Vineyard

Reverend William Bostwick plants first vineyard in the Finger Lakes in his rectory garden in Hammondsport, NY.

1860

First Bonded Winery

Pleasant Valley Wine company in Hammondsport, NY becomes the first bonded winery.

1872

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.

1880

Walter Taylor Arrives

Mastercooper, Walter Taylor, arrives in Hammondsport to build barrels for growing wine industry; shortly thereafter establishes a vineyard.

1882

Taylor Wine Company

The Taylor Wine Company established.

Experiment Station founded

New York Agricultural Experiment Station founded in Geneva, NY.

1888

Widmer’s Wine Cellars

Widmer’s Wine Cellars established in Naples, NY.

1919

Prohibition

Prohibition

1945

Canandaigua Industries Co.

Canandaigua Industries Co. founded by Marvin Sands.

1953

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.

1961

Acquistion

Taylor Wine Company purchases Pleasant Valley Wine Co. (Great Western).

1962

Vinifera Wine Cellars founded

Dr. Konstantin Frank creates Vinifera Wine Cellars which quickly gains respect for making excellent Riesling.

1970

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.

1976

Direct to Public

New York Farm Winery Act is passed permitting wineries to sell directly to the public.

1978

Glenora Wine Cellars established

Glenora Wine Cellars becomes the first winery on Seneca Lake, followed by Wagner Vineyards, Hermann Wiemer, and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.

1980

Winery Proliferation – 1980’s-1990’s

Dozens of new wineries begin to pop up in the Finger Lakes focusing on vinifera.

1983

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

Cayuga Lake establishes first organized and longest wine trail in the Finger Lakes.

1985

Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Keuka Lake Wine Trail established.

1986

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Seneca Lake Wine Trail established.

1987

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.

1988

First AVA

Cayuga Lake first individual lake of the Finger Lakes to earn AVA approval.

1995

Canadaigua Wine Trail

Canandaigua Wine Trail begins.

1996

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.

1998

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.

2013

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.