The First Lady of New York Wineries - Meaghan Frank
An Interview with Meaghan Frank, Vice President, Dr. Kontantin Frank Winery, a National Register of Historic Places site. Includes Travel Recommendations for the Finger Lakes.
Located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, Dr. Frank Konstantin Winery is the New York State winery pioneer for first planting European/International wine grapes in the state. It is also NY State’s most awarded winery. Meaghan Frank, Vice President and a member of the fourth generation to work on her family’s estate, is an impetus for change in the business and my candidate for wine tourism stardom. Day to day, Meaghan is responsible for managing wine production, the onsite retail store and tasting room, DTC - direct-to-consumer sales, and food and wine pairing experiences. See Interview below: Tricia Conover and Meaghan Frank – What is new in 2021?
In 2019 I was privileged to join the Fred Frank, President, on their New York Estate for a broad-based wine tasting.
“Meaghan had begun some game-changing, profitable, and innovative tourism experiences for our visitors and wine club.” - Fred Frank, President.
I was excited to note that this winery had recently been awarded “Top 100 Wineries of the World,” by Wine & Spirits Magazine, 2019.
Later in 2019 I joined Fred Frank and enthusiastic members of his wine club on an AmaWaterways Rhine River wine cruise that he hosted. While cruising we sampled the Dr. Konstantin Frank wines, comparing them to their European grape varietal counterparts in Germany and France/Alsace. This experience confirmed for me the focus on customer satisfaction, wine club growth, and retention this winery demonstrates.
Progressive Tasting Experience and Pandemic Changes to Tourism
The Covid-19 Pandemic brought changes to all worldwide wineries and wine sales. Meaghan Frank and Dr. Wines “pivoted” from a normal onsite tasting room experience to one with socially distanced wine tasting stations – their Progressive Tasting Experience, and added intimate private tours. The five stations located strategically throughout the vineyards included: a Sparkly Wine tasting, “Méthode Champenoise”; “The Vinifera Revolution,” highlighting the first European/Vinifera grapes planted in the Finger Lakes; the “Old Vines Make Great Wine” station, featuring wines produced from older, deep-rooted varieties still in growing this day; an “Innovations in Winemaking” station which shows off new winemaking techniques and unique barrel selections; and, finally, “Women of the Generations,” showcasing the Helm series honoring four great women through the Frank generations. The progressive tasting has been a hugely popular experience during the tourism season, while allowing each small group or couple to be socially distanced from others. See Below other Travel Recommendations for the Finger Lakes.
“Make sure to take time to visit the Finger Lakes region in New York and take advantage of all the outdoor adventures and gastro-tourism experiences.” See Touring the Finger Lakes Wine Region below.---Meaghan Frank
An Interview with Meaghan Frank, Vice President, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
Tricia Conover, DipWSET® – Wine Wanderings newsletter author (TC)
Meaghan, It is so great to talk to you again. Can you tell me about all your responsibilities in the business of the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery?
Meaghan Frank, Vice President (MF)
Tricia, it’s great to talk to you as well. My position is Vice President. I manage the day-to-day operations of the wine production department, the retail operations, and the DTC – Direct-to-consumer activities like the food and wine pairing experiences in our 1886 building. This would have been our fifth season for this winery experience that I initiated in the 1886 historic building, but the Pandemic made us “pivot” our offerings to more outdoor settings. However, we now offer a private food and wine experience that is more of an intimate tour. We still work with local chefs to prepare food. But, our progressive tasting stations offered a social distance wine tasting experience after the initial Covid-19 lockdown was let up.
TC: And how is your Dad, Fred Frank (President)? What is he up to these days? I certainly enjoyed going on the AmaWaterways cruise on the Rhine River in 2019 with he and your mother, and some of your wine club members.
MF: He’s great! My Dad has done an amazing job growing the case production and quality of our wines over the last 30 years. It has been really rewarding and fun to work with him since I joined the business 7 years ago. He gravitates towards the viticulture and production side of our business but is intimately conned with every facet of the winery. He and my mom really enjoyed the cruise as well and they hope to do another when restrictions on travel lift.
TC: What’s new at the winery? How are you handling the Pandemic in the wine business?
MG: We developed the Progressive Tasting Experience. In August of 2020 we were able to welcome people back to tasting, yet maintaining social distancing. We have also developed new signage in the parking lot and vineyards to direct people to the proper areas. See Description Above.
TC: What will you be doing differently in 2021?
MF: We don’t know the state of the Pandemic this spring/summer but we have several plans in place. “Plan A” is if the same restrictions are in place. We have new signage in our parking lot, which outlines expectations, masks, the requirement of reservations, and the 6-person limit at a tasting. We opened the Progressive Tasting Experience on June 14 last year where only one group at a time moves on to each station. We place our wine educators at their specialized locations to be able to handle each topic. We will keep this Progressive Experience and add on our 1886 food and wine experience for only private bookings. We will also expand to offer a self-guided walking tour through the vineyards.
Our “Plan B” – If we can have more room and not be as restricted, we will still hold the progressive tastings and the private Food and Wine experiences. We would like to have a separate place for our long-term wine club members to visit and taste. Our 1886 Food and Wine experience lasts two and a half to three and a half hours and is our most in-depth and educational experience so we would like to resume those. They feature flights of wine paired with small bites prepared by a local chef. We will also offer a self-guided walking path through vineyards. There will be an audio describing varietals and growing details and you proceed at your own pace.
“Plan C” would showcase all these experiences without restrictions. We would be able to combine groups again and welcome larger parties of more than 6 people. Our 1886 historic house can open to 20 people at that point. We imagine that Plan A or B will be the reality of spring/summer 2021 but we are hopeful that we will have a great season regardless. 1886 Tasting Experience with Wine and Food pairings, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
TC: Tell me what most visitors like to do while they are in the Finger Lakes region besides visiting your winery.
MF: One of the advantages this year for the Finger Lakes region is the plethora of outdoor adventures offered. I always recommend selecting several of these adventures while visiting See Below. Be sure to check for any restrictions prior to traveling. I would suggest doing our Progressive Tour, maybe a morning hike in the State Park, visiting the gorges and falls, the Corning Glass museum, some fine or casual dining, the seaplane experience of Kueka Lake, and perhaps going to one of the breweries or distilleries.
TC: Thank you, Meaghan. You have your hands full this year!
Touring the Finger Lakes Wine Region
There is much to do in the Finger Lakes region. Make sure you include several of these suggestions along with the advance scheduling needed for wine tasting visits. Be sure to check for any restrictions prior to traveling. Several touring companies offer drivers and a few of the B&B’s like Moonshadow can provide transportation.
Travel Recommendations for the Finger Lakes
Keuka Lake
Sip:Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Amity Coffee Co., Steuben Brewing, Keuka Brewing
Eat on the Water: Lakeside Restaurant, Waterfront Restaurant, Snug Harbor
Eat in town: Park Inn, Timber Stone Grill, Union Block Bistro, Seneca Farms (ice cream)
Explore: Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, Book a flight on Finger Lakes Sea Planes, Glenn Curtiss museum, Champlain beach (kayak and paddleboard rentals)
Seneca Lake
Sip: Microclimate Wine Bar, Linden Social Club, Two Goats Brewery
Eat: FLX Table, FLX FryBird, Kindred Fare, Red Dove Tavern, Ports Café, Stonecat Café, FLX Weinery, Danos, Glen Mountain Bakery, Tabora Farms, San San Dumplings
Explore: Watkins Glen State Park, Geneva Waterfront Trail
Further Afield...
Cayuga Lake
Sip: Gimme! Coffee, Chatty Cathy Coffee and Juice Co., The Watershed, Argos Inn (cocktails), FLX Cider House
Eat: Hazelnut Kitchen, Simeons, Saigon Kitchen, Atlas Bowl, Moosewood Restaurant, Just a Taste
Explore: Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Ithaca Farmers Market (weekends), Cornell University campus (art museum)
Canandaigua Lake
Sip: The Dalai Java, Young Lion Brewery, New York Kitchen
Eat: Roots Café, Rio Tomatlan, Simply Crepes, Thai by Night, Rheinblick German Restaurant
Explore: Grimes Glen, Sonnenberg Gardens
Rochester
Sip: Ugly Duck Coffee, Just Juice, Living Roots Wine & Co., Genesee Brew House, The Revelry
Eat: The Owl House, Good Luck, Fiorella, Radio Social
Explore: Highland Park, Rochester Public Market
Wine Wanderings Editorial Calendar- as of Feb 2021
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After reading this article I have put a trip to include this winery hopefully in August. Always a pleasure reading your articles!