New reserve tasting room at Dr. Frank

Inside the new tasting space

The structure may be 130 years old, but its latest use is brand new.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery has opened a new space called the 1886 Reserve Tasting Room, named for the year the stone house that houses it was built on the south end of Keuka Lake.

The space is in repurposed storage rooms above the cellars that follow a design by Meagan Frank, a fourth-generation member of the wine family. In the space, visitors are able to sample specific Frank wines paired with hors d’oeuvres created by the nearby Snug Harbor Restaurant.

Frank's inspiration? “In Australia, they have quite a few wineries that offer these upscale VIP tasting experiences with wine and food pairings and special cellar and vineyard tours where you can really get to learn more about wine and the whole process," she says.

Tastings are by reservation only, priced at $35 per person. Seatings are Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. For August, visitors will be given an in-depth tour of the sparkling wine cellars of Chateau Frank, followed by sampling six sparkling wines served with a new set of pairings from Snug Harbor. In September, "esoteric varietals" will be featured, followed by "cool climate reds" in October.

The August pairings:

• Chateau Frank 2011 Blanc de Blancs; grilled stonefruit and fried sage, balsamic reduction • Chateau Frank 2009 Blanc de Noirs; cherry-coriander roulade, Parmesan cream • Chateau Frank 2009 Brut; cremini mushrooms with lemon ricotta, almond pesto • Chateau Frank 2010 Brut Rose;brie and red raspberry, thyme drizzle on crostini • Chateau Frank Célèbre Ros; strawberry-sorrel choux à la creme • Chateau Frank Célèbre; apple and aged cheddar tartlet

The Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is located at 9749 Middle Road, Hammondsport. Phone: 800-320-0735.

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