Since I released the wine in October, I have had opportunities to share the wine. Some have been tastings at people’s homes. One was at a dinner that bed and breakfast owners hosted for a group of their friends on Keuka Lake.
Elaine, Jeanne, Molly, and Brian at a private tasting on my patio at the vineyard in the Finger Lakes
Others have been at my home at the winery. In good weather we have had them on the patio overlooking the vineyard. In the cold weather they have been in the dining room.
Jennifer and Susan at a private tasting at a home
It has been very gratifying to get the reaction of a wide range of people to the wine. It’s also enjoyable just to talk wine and the Finger Lakes and to get to know each other.
Beth and Jon at a private tasting overlooking the vineyard, but we went late!
I am happy to do tastings for people. We can arrange to do this at your place or mine.
Wayne and Alice at a private tasting in the dining room
Contact me to schedule a private tasting here.
Schedule a Private Tasting
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We've seen multiple snowfalls this past winter in the Finger Lakes. I've got about 900 feet of driveway to get to the highway. I've got to be able to clear it of snow to get anywhere in the winter.
The foot of my driveway at the highway
When I bought the tractor, I was lucky enough to buy a snowblower attachment from the same grower. It attaches to the three-point hitch on the back of the tractor. I drive the tractor backwards to clear the snow.
The snow blower monster attached to the tractor
The snow blower is seven feet wide. I can clear a lane wide enough for a vehicle with one pass and with two passes I can clear the whole width of the driveway. The snowblower throws the snow a good thirty feet off of the driveway and cuts a smooth edge in the snow.
The snowblower monster in action
It always pleases me when equipment works well. The final result:
The final result - How pleasing!
]]>In December I poured wine at the "Holidays at the Market" at the Rochester Public Market on the Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Rochester Public Market is a big marketplace in downtown Rochester that has existed for many years. The market's primary day throughout the year is Saturday, but between Thanksgiving and Christmas they are open on Sunday with a focus on holiday gifts.
A couple of the Sundays were beautiful and unusually warm. It was very nice to pour for people. However, one Sunday, I literally got blown away. There were freezing temperatures and twenty to thirty mile-an-hour gusts of wind that cleared everything off the table. No bottles were broken (that would have been truly tragic!), but that day I decided to end early.
Denise and Jim Toomey helping me at the Wine on Ice Festival in Elmira, NY in January
Denise and Jim Toomey helped me pour wine at the Wine on Ice Festival in Elmira, NY, in January. The festival is called Wine on Ice not because it is all Ice Wine, but because it takes place on the floor of the ice hockey arena in the center of town. Luckily, this year the festival was on the concrete floor instead of on top of the ice, so it wasn't too cold. It was great to meet so many people and introduce them to the new brand. Elmira is close to Keuka Lake, so I invite everyone to come visit the winery.
]]>The release coincides with the launch of the winery online store MarkTWiltbergerCellars.com.
]]>The release coincides with the launch of the winery online store MarkTWiltbergerCellars.com.
The wines released are:
2014 Riesling "Wanderlust", a medium dry Riesling.
2014 Chardonnay "Open Door", a dry unoaked Chardonnay.
2014 Gruner Veltliner "Convivial", a medium dry Gruner Veltliner.
2014 Riesling "Trillium", a dry Riesling.
In addition to the varietal name, each wine is also given a unique name to reflect ideas of discovery, travel, bonds of friendship, and connection to home and the land.
All of the wines are made from grapes of the Finger Lakes wine appellation of New York State.
Wines are available for online at MarkTWiltbergerCellars.com. At the present time there are no plans to open a tasting room.
Wines are available for purchase pre-sale online now. Wines are to be released on September 15. Pre-sale orders will be shipped after this date. As part of the launch promotion, shipping will be free on orders of four bottles or more. Also, visitors to the website who join the email list will receive a discount code for $15 on their first order of wine.
In addition, people who are interested participating in a winery startup can become a Winery Founder. Winery Founders are recognized in the winery and as a reward receive wine and other benefits.
Mark Wiltberger is a second-generation winemaker who after exploring other wine regions around the world returned to his home of the Finger Lakes to make wine in this unique region of lake-cooled vineyards and rich glacial soils. His aim is to make elegant wines from grape varietals that grow well in the cool climate of the Finger Lakes.
Wine Opportunities
Stay in touch with the latest winery news, wine releases and special offerings. If you Join the Email List, you will receive a $15 discount on your first order of wine.
Wine delivered to your door is the same price as wine at a tasting room. As part of the release of the very first vintage of wines, if you Order Four Bottles or More, shipping is free.
Have you ever wanted to be part of a winery startup? If you Become a Winery Founder, you will be recognized at the winery and as a reward receive wine and other benefits.
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