Seneca Shore Wine Cellars

In the mid-1970s our site, on the north western shore of Seneca Lake, was selected for sevaral basic reasons. 1) The soil on the site had a large proportion of Limestone mixed with the loam, thanks to the last Ice-age Glacier. This gave us a soil pH=6.9 (neutral), instead of the much more acidic soil of the south end of the Lake at pH=4.6. Neutral soil is great for European Vinifera varieties (Riesling, Merlot), whereas acidic soil is good for Native American Labrusca vines (Concord & Niagara). 2) The site is on the shore of Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes. This allows the stored warmth of the lake that is released through-out the Winter to keep the vines above the minimum bud killing temperature of -16F. 3) The site is between two large canyons, the Keuka Lake Outlet, and Kashong Creek. Small summer thunderstorms tend to track into the canyons, leaving little rain on our site. This was beneficial to keep the diseases of mold and mildew subdued. In our current drought conditions, it would be nice to have additional rain however.