New York

Finger Lakes

Merlot

Sour cherry, forest floor, and cherry blossom on the nose of this soft and delicate Merlot followed by subtle notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cedar. The finish lingers with vanilla and dried fruit leather. Slightly drying tannins are still smooth and well integrated, and indicate excellent aging over the next 3-5 years at least.

Cabernet Franc

United States

Knapp Winery

Niagara

Ruby Port

Serenity

Brut Sparkling

Syrah

Siegerrebe

Saignee

Blaufränkisch

Semi-Dry Riesling

Loganberry

Triple Berry

Dry Rose

George's Peach

Superstition

Black Cherry

Meritage

Saperavi

Finger Lakes Chardonnay

Cabernet Sauvignon

Barrel Aged Chardonnay

Dry Riesling

We are thrilled to announce that Cole and Karen Wilson are the new owners of Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant as of December 8, 2021.  Knapp Winery was established in 1984 by Doug and Susan Knapp. They sold the winery in the year 2000 to Gene Pierce and Scott Welliver. Pierce and Welliver recently sold the winery and 100-acre estate to the Wilson’s. Knapp has a long tradition of producing premium and popular wines and the Wilsons themselves had been visiting Knapp for years.  The Wilsons plan to build on the foundation that was established by the Knapps and later Pierce. Cole and his wife Karen first moved to Rochester in 1991, where they raised their two sons, Zach and Curtis.  They also have lived in Denver, Colorado and New York City and have had a home in the Finger Lakes (Ovid) since 2003.  Karen Wilson is a pediatrician with UR Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.  She has a long-standing interest in wine and food and is excited to be involved where she is able. 

Cole has been a long-time aficionado of New York wine, in particularly Finger Lakes wine.  In between his professional life in finance and banking for Chase, Manhattan Bank, and hedge funds, he and Karen hosted many events and introduced people to different wineries and winemakers in the Finger Lakes region. Through the years Cole befriended many people in the Finger Lakes wine industry and is considered by many as a champion of Finger Lakes wine. His enthusiasm for wine is matched by his generosity.  He has immersed himself in various jobs of the winemaking process through the years and volunteering for many. Most recently Cole was the Operations Manager for Damiani Wine Cellars.   If you are willing to talk about any aspect of Finger Lakes wine, he is eager to engage and share his love for the region. He hopes to produce more vinifera wines while continuing to deliver the fresh and characteristically unique wines that Knapp has made popular.  He has a vision for Knapp and is keen to begin his journey as owner.  Wilson said, “I am looking forward to working with our Knapp crew to solidify plans to make Knapp Winery one of the best wineries in the Finger Lakes”.

Located close to Seneca Falls and easily accessible from the New York State Thru-Way, Knapp Winery has been a popular winery from its inception. The Knapps had planted some of the first vinifera grapes along the shores of Cayuga Lake. Knapp was the first winery in the Finger Lakes Appellation to plant and vinify the grape variety Cabernet Franc. Recognizing the importance of wine with food, Knapp opened the Vineyard Restaurant in 1992, becoming the first winery restaurant on Cayuga Lake. The winery also had all of the production equipment and resources to continue to produce the premium wine it was known for, including an alembic pot for crafting cordials and aperitifs.

Knapp offers tastings Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Sunday from 11 am to 5pm. Knapp Winery's dedicated staff offers premium reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Lemberger, Cabernet Franc, Unoaked Cabernet Franc alongside signature Rieslings, both dry and off dry as well as two styles of Chardonnay.  Knapp serves four popular fruit wines and three native wines in addition to selling port, brandy, cucumber vodka and gin.

Knapp’s Vineyard restaurant is open seasonally from May through October. Knapp Vineyard Restaurant serves perfectly paired lunches using local food ingredients from area farms for a total Finger Lakes wine country experience. 

Blaufrankisch

Cayuga White

Chardonnay

De Chaunac

Muscat

Riesling

Rougeon

Sweet

White

Knapp's Niagara has an intense fruit flavor and is reminiscent of biting into a fresh green grape. It has a pleasant semi-sweet finish. 

Fortified

Smokey, rich oak character with notes of vanilla, baking spice, cedar, and leather. As a ruby port, it has lots of berry flavors (fruit leather, dried cherries, dried plums), but also complementary notes of caramel and nuttiness. Rich mouthfeel and powerful, lingering aftertaste. 

Orange blossom is infused in every element of this wine. Along with pear and apricot on the nose, followed by honey and tropical fruit on the palate, this wine is lush and sweet with delicious floral notes. Just a touch of spritz livens up the sweetness and makes it absolutely delectable. 

Brut

Our Brut is a blend of Chardonnay and Cayuga White, with just a hint of sweetness from the dosage. A lively but delicate mousse (bubbles) with flavors of green apple, brioche, and candied lemon peel. Such a festive wine, it makes any day feel like a celebration!

Black pepper, blueberry, white pepper dominate. Delicate, light with just a touch of light toasted oak (10%). Pretty and light-bodied. 

Dried apricot and honeysuckle on the nose, with distinctive notes of lychee. A cousin of Gewurztraminer, you notice the tiniest hint of rosewater, followed by nectarine, pear, and meyer lemon. Luscious and opulent, defining characteristics of Siegerrebe, this wine lingers on the palate. 

Rosé

This wine is made from Saperavi, with a touch of Muscat for aromatics. Pressed directly after picking, the red flesh in Saperavi (one of only 2 varietals with red flesh) gave it deep color with hot pink magenta hues. High acidity and just a touch of residual sugar make this an excellent wine to drink with food, and should age well the next 1-2 years. Violets on the nose with grapefruit and wet stone. Cranberry, strawberry jello, and Valencia orange with mouthwatering grapefruit pith finish. 

Dark chocolate and leather hit the nose, followed by Bing cherry and black currant. On the palate, strawberry rhubarb pie and fruit leather. A subtle hint of baking spice and just a touch of smokiness on the finish. Similar to Pinot Noir (distant relations), this varietal is much more cold hardy for the region. Also called Lemberger. 

More opulent, rounder, more stone fruit compared to the Dry Riesling. Nose has honeysuckle, dried apricot, pineapple, candied ginger and oranges. Palate is rich, moderate sweetness making it incredible as food or dessert wine. Finishes with perception of honey on your lips. One of our winemaker's favorite wines. 


A cross between a raspberry and a blackberry, it makes for a fresh and harmonious taste while being pleasantly sweet. 

This sweet wine is a combination of uniquely paired fruits. A blend of white wine with blackberry, raspberry and blueberry juices, it pairs well with cheesecake, mild cheeses, and salty snacks. 

De Chaunac Blend

This wine is an eclectic blend of white wine and DeChaunac rose. The result is a pleasant, fruit forward rose that will pair with just about anything. White flowers and nectarine on the nose with a creamy brioche character. Fruit salad on the palate with strawberry and ruby red grapefruit. 

Big, bold peach aroma and flavors are complemented by luscious sweetness on the palate. This wine is delicious on its own, before or after meals and over vanilla ice cream. 

Bearing our most lovable black cat, Superstition is a bright fruity wine with big, bold grape flavors, like the jammy taste of a delicious grape pie. It is a medium, full-bodied wine that is finished semi-sweet. Enjoyable by itself, it can also be paired with sweet barbecue or aged cheeses. 

Our Black Cherry wine is a wonderful sweet treat. Made with Cayuga White wine and natural  flavoring, it is a blend of tantalizing black cherry aroma and a luscious dark and alluring flavor. 

Red Blend

Sweet cream and pomegranate are met with dark chocolate on the notes. There is a rich depth of fruit with ripe black cherries, medium tannins, and a medium toasted oak quality. Cardamom and black currant are met on the palate, with creaminess from the Merlot and cherry pie from the Cabernet Sauvignon. Cab Franc provides structure and adds to the overall complexity. Drink now, but save some for 5-10 years.

Deep color from Tenteurier varietal (red flesh and red skins). Lots of tannin make it very tight (recommend decanting for 30-60 mins before serving). This wine has creaminess from oak aging (8 months) and has 25% new oak (Noisette toast from Nadalie). Big, earthy, but still has lots of ripe boysenberry and plum. This wine will age well for the next 10-15 years. 

What a classic Cabernet Franc! While light in color, like most 2021 reds from the FLX area, this wine does not hold back on flavor. Baking spice on the nose, with notes of forest floor, bramble, and just a hint of jalepeno. On the palate, sour cherry and blueberry compote are complemented with vanilla and nutmeg from the very gentle oak influence. Moderate tannins that will soften with age wonderfully in the next 5-10 years.

Lime leaf, asphalt, and white nectarine on the nose is balanced with a refreshing minerality component from the concrete egg. On the palate, lemon pith, papaya, and green apple. This wine is refreshing and bright, but with a depth of flavor and texture from the lees aging. An excellent wine now, this wine will continue to develop over the next 3-6 years.

On the note, cherry pie and raspberries hit you immediately. On the palate, creamy raspberry custard along with vanilla, clove, and pleasant warm toasty oak flavors. The tannins are silky and the wine finishes with ripe raspberries that just make you want more. A beautiful wine now, this will be exceptional in 5-10 years.

White Blend

Subtle oak influence with lots of apricot, yellow peach, and baking spices like allspice and clove. On the palate, bright notes of lemon zest are tempered by dried apricot, papaya, and apple. Sweet vanilla and light toast from the French oak balances the medium bodied wine. Clove and vanilla dominate the finish. 

Overall more citrus-forward, crisper compared to semi-dry. Notes of wet stone, flint, white peach, white flowers, lemon peel on nose. Palate has lemongrass, tangerine, ruby red grapefruit, beeswax. Fresh, crisp, lingering finish of citrus, very refreshing. 

New York

Knapp Winery

2021

2020

Merlot

Finger Lakes

Release Price

Drink Window

ABV

pH

TA

RS

Harvest

Winemaking

Aging

Food Pairing

More from this Producer