About Keuka Lake
In 1992, Mel Goldman and his wife Dorothee fell for the Finger Lakes on a family camping trip. This affection, paired with a long-standing dream to plant a vineyard, led them to purchase a few acres of former Taylor Wine Co. vineyard in 1993. Mel retired early, in 1997, to focus totally on the vineyard, and the Riesling and Pinot Noir vines that he and Dorothee would plant soon after still stand on the estate to this day.
Mel sold his crop in the early years, but as the vines matured, he saw the quality in KLV grapes. So, Mel asked neighboring winemakers to assist in making a test vintage. He and Dorothee then carried a few bottles to France, where the wines excelled in blind tastings amidst bottlings from premier European appellations. On the heels of this praise, KLV made its first official vintage in 2005 with the winemaking skills of Ravines Wine Cellar’s Morten Hallgren.
Today, KLV’s estate vineyards have grown to include 40 acres on the east and west slopes of Keuka Lake’s southern end. Six varietals grow in the glacial soils, both vinifera and hybrid. Every vintage that we produce is rooted in the original passion that brought us to the Finger Lakes, and in honoring what our spectacular vineyards provide.
