Third Annual Saperavi Festival in the Finger Lakes – Get to Know the Grape

Woman Around Town recently had the extraordinary opportunity to attend the Third Annual Saperavi Festival in the Finger Lakes region. The festival was hosted by the renowned Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery located in Hammondsport; Wines of Georgia; the NYC Georgian restaurant, Chama Mama; and Saperica. Members of the press, trade, and the general public were welcomed to the event that featured wine tastings, fascinating discussions, and delicious food at the gorgeous location overlooking Keuka Lake.

Saperica is an impressive organization with a mission to promote Saperavi and other Georgian grape varieties along with Georgian cuisine and culture across the U.S. The organization was co-founded by Erika Frey, wine educator and consultant, and Lasha Tsatava DipWSET, a native of Georgia who is an advocate for Georgian wine and gastronomy. Erika and Lasha are friends that have successfully collaborated to organize educational seminars and exchange programs for wine and food enthusiasts.

With fertile valleys and protected slopes, Georgia is known for top grapevine cultivation. It is one of the oldest wine producing countries dating back over 8,000 years. The Saparavi grape is indigenous to Georgia along with 525 other native varieties. Saperavi is indeed unique as it has a proven ability to adapt to new and local terroirs. This grape is growing well in the Finger Lakes, Australia, Kazakastan, the Ukraine and other locations. Saparavi has both a red skin and a red flesh that contributes a deep red color and rich taste to wines. Wines that are made with it are especially valued as you can drink them when they are young and they also age well.

Our readers will also like to know about the special connection of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery and the Saperavi Grape. Dr. Frank emigrated to the U.S. in 1951 and first established his winery in the Finger Lakes in the early 1950’s. In 1957, Dr. Frank planted the very first vinifera vines in the Eastern United States and ignited what is known as the “Vinifera Revolution,” the movement of planting old world grape varieties. This would ultimately change the course of winemaking in New York State. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is now four family generations strong as his great granddaughter, Meaghan Frank is leading the winery. It currently cultivates three acres of Saperavi grapes that are used in delightful wines that includes their Saperavi and Saperavi Rose. 

There are other notable Finger Lake wineries that are also producing Saperavi wines. Some of them include McGregor Vineyard that produces Saperavi Reserve and Saperavi Grand Reserve; Standing Stone Vineyard that produces Saperavi Barrel Select and Teinturier Saperavi; Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant that produces Saperavi Rose and Saperavi; Martin Family Wineries & Distilleries that produces Montezuma 2021 Saperavi and Idol Ridge 2021 Sparkling Saperavi; Airy Acres Vineyard that will soon produce Saperavi 2023; and Hyatt Vineyards that produces Saperavi. 

Accessible Georgian wines can be purchased locally. Some of the wineries that have a wide distribution in the U.S. include Gurashvili’s Family Winery;  Vazisubani Estate; Winiveria; Teliani Valley; Iberieli; and JSC “Corporation Kindzmarauli”. We are sure that once you discover Wines of Georgia, they will be very welcome on your table.

The Third Annual Saperavi Festival was a resounding success. Those that attended have vowed to return next year to sample wonderful wines, savor delectable Georgian cuisine and socialize with other wine lovers. What could be better?

Want to know more? Visit Wines of Georgia. You can also follow them on social media @winesgeorgia. 

Photo Credit: Wine and Food by Marina P. Kennedy

Photo Credit: Group photo by Dimitri Mais