Bubbles Readied As Frontenac Point Winery Turns 30

New York Wine Industry Association Member Celebrates 30 Years in Business

TRUMANSBURG, NY (08/30/2012)(readMedia)-- Jim Doolittle, winemaker and co-owner of Frontenac Point Vineyard - estate winery, will release four distinct Brut Méthode Champenois cuvees to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the winery. Two are from the Pinot Noir grape, one from Chambourcin, one from Riesling.

After graduating from Cornell University, while working in Albany, Doolittle was tapped by Governor Hugh Carey's office to analyze how the state could structure licenses to allow small "farm" wineries to open. Prior to this, fees and sales constraints kept most grape growers from opening a winery in the state. Before Governor Carey signed the Farm Winery Bill into law, in 1976, there were 19 wineries in New York; in 2012 there are more than 300.

His interest piqued by the research he did for the legislation, Jim and his wife, Carol, left Albany, bought land on the west side of Cayuga Lake, planted grapevines and started New York Farm Winery #47 in 1982, producing only 400 cases of wine. They chose to restrain growth and currently make 2000-3000 cases a year; half devoted to dry, red wines including Pinot Noir and Chambourcin. Their white wines include Riesling and Chardonnay. Their son, Lawrence, has joined the family business.

The Doolittles are active members of the New York Wine Industry Association, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, the New York State Agricultural Society, New York Farm Bureau, The American Society of Enology and Viticulture, Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, The Business Council and the Trumansburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

Frontenac Point Vineyard wines are available only at the winery tasting room that is open on weekends from May through November. The boutique winery is on State Route 89, 12 miles north of Ithaca. Details at: www.frontenacpoint.com.