Eastern Daylight is a collaboration with Nancy Irelan and Michael Schnelle of Red Tail Ridge in Penn Yan, NY. Nancy and Michael farm and manage the vineyard using sustainable practices that balance environmental and economic responsibility. Permanent cover crops are used to preserve and replenish the soils while also helping to manage and control water retention. A field of native wildflowers encourage pollinators and a healthy variety of animals. The winery was built in 2009 and was certified as a LEED Gold green facility in 2011 for its environmental and energy conscious design.
This wine is a blend of Blaufränkisch and Cabernet Franc, two grapes that have been quietly making a name for themselves in the Finger Lakes. Juicy and lively, the Blaufränkisch in this blend gives the wine a lovely range of red fruits while the Cabernet Franc adds spice and structure. This wine is easy drinking, but not simple. The fruit for this wine comes from the Red Trail Ridge Vineyard on the west side of Seneca Lake. This sustainably farmed vineyard produces some of the best fruit in the Finger Lakes.
