Spring/Summer 2013 Newsletter

800.320.0735www.drfrankwines.com

Photo Courtesy of: Syracuse New Times Photo Courtesy of: Syracuse New Times

2012 was full of celebration for our 50th Anniversary and also marked a record year for us with 79 gold medals in national and international wine competitions. I believe this to be a record number of gold medals for a New York Winery and that it will be a challenge for us to surpass in 2013. Luckily the 2012 vintage was a fantastic year for quality and the early releases from this vintage are already winning gold medals.

I am often asked by wine writers what the secret to our success is. My answer is that our wine consistency and quality is a reflection of our family and employees’ commitment to excellence. It all starts in the vineyards with careful attention to detail and nurturing of our old vine vineyards first planted by Konstantin in 1958. These old vine vineyards are among the oldest in the United States. While they produce fewer grapes, the quality of the fruit results in more complex wines. Our international team of winemakers insures that these quality grapes are transformed into award-winning wines.

I was honored to receive the “Winery Award” from the New York Wine & Grape Foundation earlier this year. This award is given for advancing the widespread recognition and quality reputation of New York Wines. We have worked hard to spread the news about the quality of New York wines, which has stemmed from Dr. Konstantin Frank’s pioneering efforts. Our award- winning wines are now available in over 35 states and several foreign countries.

We have started 2013 with a bang resulting in an avalanche of fantastic press. Please visit our new website at www.drfrankwines.com for more details on this great news.

I want to thank our loyal wine fans for visiting us and becoming ambassadors for the winery. Many of you have spread the word about the quality of Dr. Frank wines to your friends and family which has brought new fans to the winery.

I invite you to visit us and taste our gold medal winning wines in our tasting room open year round overlooking our old vine vineyards and beautiful Keuka Lake. Our wines are also available in many fine wine shops and restaurants or can be ordered online on our website.

I would like to wish you and your family all the best.

Cheers,

Frederick FrankPresident

WORDS FROM FRED

Eric VolzFrederick FrankThree Generations of Franks

2011 Dr. Frank Sauvignon Blanc: We consider this vintage to be one of the best Sauvignon Blancs we’ve produced in recent years. The 2011 Sauvignon Blanc won a Gold Medal at the New World International Wine Competition, and a Gold Medal and “92 Points” from the Beverage Testing Institute so far this year. The BTI described our Sauvignon Blanc as having “bright floral aromas of guava, passionfruit, grapefruit and sweet pepper” and a “melon and strawberry accented finish”.2010 Dr. Frank Cabernet Franc: The 2010 Cabernet Franc is an excellent vintage and won a Gold Medal from the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition and a Gold Medal and “91 Points” from the Beverage Testing Institute. The BTI noted that this wine had aromas of “berries, nut brittle, sandalwood and spice with a supple, fruity-yet-dry medium body and long, tangy boysenberry and pepper finish”.

2010 Dr. Frank Rkatsiteli: Since its release last year, the 2010 Rkatsiteli has won a total of six gold medals. Most recently, the Dr. Frank 2010 Rkatsiteli won a Gold Medal from the San Diego International Wine Competition, a Double Gold Medal from the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition, a Gold Medal from the International Eastern Competition and a Gold Medal and “90 Points” from the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI). The BTI described our Rkatsiteli as having “aromas of baked peach, pear, and honeycomb with crisp, racy, dry-yet fruity medium body and a tangy honeyed lime, kiwi, herb and mineral driven finish”.

NV Chateau Frank Célèbre Crémant: This delicious sparkling wine made from Riesling, is a very inviting and easy-to-drink wine with aromas of apple, honey and spice. Our Célèbre is perfect for everyday drinking or is a refreshing treat as the temperatures get warmer. The Chateau Frank Célèbre has done well so far this year with a Gold Medal from the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, a Platinum Medal at the San Diego International Wine Competition and a Gold Medal at the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition.2012 Dr. Frank Dry Riesling: Since its release earlier this year, our Dr. Frank 2012 Dry Riesling won a Gold Medal at the San Diego International Wine Competition and a Double Gold Medal at the International Eastern Wine Competition. This vintage from a warm year really shines with bright citrus and blossom aromas. We are expecting this wine to do well at other competitions this year given its outstanding quality.2010 Dr. Frank Pinot Blanc: This wine typifies the characters of the 2010 season with warmer tropical fruits shining through over the wine’s traditional lemon flavors. This wine pairs extremely well with shellfish and salmon steaks. The Dr. Frank 2010 Pinot Blanc won a Gold Medal and Best of Class at the International Eastern Competition this year.

GOLD MEDALS & RATINGS

Just when we thought things couldn’t get much better, we discovered that we were featured in the World of Fine Wine Magazine. The magazine article devotes a large spread to our winery and its contributions to the blossoming Finger Lakes wine industry.

NPR featured Chateau Frank sparkling wine in a New Year’s story titled, “Cheap Bubbly or Expensive Sparkling Wine? Look to the Bubbles for Clues”. The story touted Chateau Frank sparkling wines for their quality resulting from our commitment to the traditional methode champenoise.

Perhaps the biggest news of all so far this year was that Chateau Frank was featured on the Today Show in February. Our Chateau Frank 2007 Blanc de Blancs proudly sat between Kathie Lee and Hoda (show hosts) on a special that featured winter getaways to the Finger Lakes region. At the end of the special, Kathie Lee inquired about the wine and was told Chateau Frank was “one of the great producers in the region.” To that, Kathie Lee and Hoda proudly toasted with our 2007 Blanc de Blancs!

In an article titled, “Fantastic Finger Lakes Finds”, Anna Lee Iijima of Wine Enthusiast Magazine noted that, “Some of the most exciting Rieslings in the United States hail from the little-known Finger Lakes region in upstate New York” Iijima also said that Dr. Konstantin Frank has been one of the “consistent, high-quality producers” that have “led the way”. In the same article, Iijima rated the Dr. Frank 2011 Riesling Reserve (currently sold out) “90 Points”

We were honored to receive the “Winery Award” from the New York Wine & Grape Foundation at their annual “Unity Banquet” in February. The Unity Banquet was created as a way to recognize, encourage, and celebrate cooperation among grape growers, wineries, and others to advance the entire industry. We were given the “Winery Award” for advancing the widespread recognition and quality reputation of New York Wines.

Acclaimed British wine critic, Stuart Pigott, had the opportunity to try Dr. Frank Rieslings firsthand during a visit to the United States. Pigott said our winery “played an important role, demonstrating with great clarity how the combination of high quality, fair prices and professional marketing can generate excitement for the region’s Rieslings.” He also said he was “expecting Dr. Konstantin Frank’s wines—‘Dry’ and ‘Semi-Dry’—to be impressively vivid and aromatic, elegant and racy, which they indeed were.”

Dr. Frank’s had a solid start to 2013 with a feature in Food & Wine Magazine’s 2013 Wine Guide. The book lists what the authors believe to be the “only producers you’ll need to know this year”. We were honored to be the only Finger Lakes winery included in the book. The book particularly notes our Dry Riesling and Gewürztraminer Reserve as must try wines.

NEWS AND ACCLAIM

The latest edition of the book, “American Wine” by critically acclaimed wine writer, Jancis Robinson, sang praises of Dr. Frank’s throughout the book’s section on the Finger Lakes. Robinson called our winery a “Trailblazer” and “Superstar”. Robinson also praises current winery president, Fred Frank, and says, “His Rieslings, Gewüztraminers and brut sparkling wines win more than their share of competition medals, and his Rkatsiteli is a spicy and refreshing white wine whose roots are in the Republic of Georgia.”

According to an article from Time Magazine on March 7, 2013, Finger Lakes Wine is trending and Dr. Frank’s is a great example of a winery to seek out! The article explains why: “Dr. Konstantin Frank produces world class Rieslings as well as Gewürztraminer, and was named the 2012 Winery of the Year from NY Wine & Food Classic.”

NEWS AND ACCLAIM

Riesling’s rise to fame in the Finger Lakes began over 50 years ago when Dr. Konstantin Frank planted the region’s first successful Riesling vines above the shores of Keuka Lake. Konstantin knew that Riesling would thrive in the Finger Lakes as it does in the Mosel region of Germany given the similarity of climate and topography. Dr. Frank could not have been more right.

Dr. Konstantin Frank released his first Riesling vintages when the winery opened in 1962. The variety quickly became the “superstar” of the Dr. Frank wine line-up. In the early days, Dr. Frank produced a Johannisberg Riesling Spatlese and a Johannisberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese. Dr. Frank’s Johannisberg Riesling Spatlese was a medium dry style. Dr. Frank’s Johannisberg Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, on the other hand, was a full bodied dessert wine made from botrytized grapes.

Over the years, our Riesling styles have changed a bit. Today, we offer a Dr. Frank Dry Riesling, Dr. Frank Semi-Dry Riesling, Dr. Frank Riesling Late Harvest, Salmon Run Riesling and Chateau Frank Célebre (sparkling Riesling). Of the styles we offer today, the Dr. Frank Semi-Dry Riesling and Dr. Frank Riesling Late Harvest are most similar to the styles originally produced by Dr. Konstantin Frank. One thing that has not changed in the past 50 years is the popularity of Dr. Frank Riesling. Ask any customer what wine they think of when they think of our winery and they will tell you Riesling! The release of our 2012 Rieslings this spring marks 50 years of Riesling at Dr. Frank’s. We invite you to raise a glass of Dr. Frank Riesling in salute!

50 YEARS OF DR. FRANK RIESLING

As you may have read in our last newsletter, the 2012 harvest was one of the best we’ve ever had. We are thrilled to finally be able to share the “fruits of our labor” from this outstanding harvest with you! Because 2012 was an exceptionally warm, sunny season, one can anticipate gorgeous bouquets of rich fruits and floral with just the right amount of signature Finger Lakes acidity. Here are a few “stand-out” wines to add to your “must try” list:

Dr. Frank 2012 Dry Riesling - The 2012 Dry Riesling has a classic pale straw color with a crisp green hue. The nose shows typical Keuka Lake minerality and fresh lemon citrus fruit with an intriguing blossom aroma. The palate shows wonderful tight acid that balances out the fruity residual sugar enhancing the floral and lemon flavors.

Dr. Frank 2012 Gewürztraminer - The 2012 Gewürztraminer has aromas of orange blossoms, citrus and candied banana. The light residual sugar gives a subtle honey introduction followed by an acidic balance enhanced with the slatey influence of our estate vineyards.

Dr. Frank 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling - The 2012 Semi Dry Riesling delights with a bouquet of orange blossom, lavender and pear. A vibrant mouth-feel is enhanced by flavors of apple, peach and mandarin oranges that lead into a zesty fruit finish.

Dr. Frank 2012 Pinot Noir Dry Rosé – The 2012 Rose reveals intense and subtle aromas of peach, berries and citrus with mineral notes. On the palate, the smooth beginning is balanced by the acidity, leaving a smooth finish due to the barrel fermentation.

HIGHLY ANTICIPATED 2012 VINTAGES MAKE THEIR DEBUT

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