HYBRID WHITE BLEND

The FLX:
An absolutely unique, cold, continental wine region is made possible by the glacial lakes that define it. These lakes, as long as 40 miles and as deep as 600ft, never freeze, keeping the land around them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Since the region was carved out by a glacier in the last ice age, there is a tremendous variety of soil types across the region.

Vineyard and Vintage Info:
2023 was a tumultuous year with a warm April and a devastating May 18 frost. Surviving vines enjoyed an otherwise good growing season with even heat, few highs above 90f, and average rainfall. Vineyard sites were located on Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga Lake. The Keuka Lake Cayuga White vineyard is organically managed, while all other sites are sustainably managed with minimum sprays since these are disease-resistant hybrid grapes.

Cayuga White-A Cornell hybrid grape was commercially released in 1970. Our vineyard sites are many of the first commercial plantings of these grapes, planted in the 1970s. Melody is a Cornell hybrid grape released shortly after Cayuga White. It has slightly lower yields and a richer peach tangerine profile evocative of its Pinot Blanc parentage.   

Wine Making Info:
Grapes were harvested over several days in early September 2023. All were gently pressed to the tank, then racked to a combination of tanks, and 400L used French oak barrels. All are naturally fermented through alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Barrels were aged on gross lees until final blending. 40% barrel fermented, 60% tank fermented.

Wine Description:
Pale straw, translucent, and bubbly with CO2. The clean orchard fruit aromas combine with citrus and salinity to almost evoke summer’s best margarita. The flavors are bright, fun, and easy, with great freshness and the ease of a lovely, naturally low-alcohol wine.