Hosmer Vineyards and the Thristy Owl Wine Company are almost shouting distance from each other on Rt. 89 on west Cayuga Lake. Hosmer is a family farm 60 years old, and current owner Cameron Hosmer planted five acres of vines in 1973 on the property; today the vineyard has grown to 70 acres of vines, and Cameron’s son Timothy carries on the family farming tradition.
Cameron and his wife Maren decided to take the next step in 1986 by opening their own winery, and since then they have won a slew of top medals, and are perhaps best known for cabernet franc and riesling (their 2001 vintage riesling won the New York Governor’s Cup in 2002, made by winemaker Martha Gioumousis). Today, winemaker Julia Hoyle is continuing Hosmer’s fine winemaking tradition, and they’re producing 20,000 gallons of wine annually.
Hosmer Tasting Highlights:
*Limited Release Riesling 2016: Nose: very racy, with lemon and mineral notes, like a top Austrian Riesling. On the palate, deep, round, plush apple flavors. Top-notch and features the full spectrum of riesling complexity. (1.6% sweetness) $25
Patrician Verona Riesling 2016: a single vineyard wine, the nose reveals white flowers and racy lemon/mineral notes. On the palate, flavors of ripe canteloupe, apple and peach. (sweetness: 2.9% residual). $17
*Dry Rose of Cabernet Franc 2017: Juicy strawberry and red cherry aromas and flavors with bright vibrant acidity. Tops for a dry rose with cabernet franc; you dare not ask for more.
Lemberger (a k a Blaufrankisch) 2016: Fresh and lively boysenberry fruit. On the palate, lively acidity and BIG ripe red fruits; a party in a glass. Fun and original, great for spring or summer.
***Cabernet Franc Reserve 2016: Nose, OMG! Incredibly clean, fragrant red cherry! On the palate, very juicy, with red and black cherry flavors. Decadently gluggable but still poised and elegant, like a Reubens painting. Light up the candles, pull the cork and rock on…
Wines of choice at Thirsty Owl and Hosmer on Cayuga Lake
Thirsty Owl Wine Co. is a short distance north of Hosmer on Rt. 89 on west Cayuga Lake. Although the winery was opened in 2002, the 150 acre property was purchased by Ted Cupp from Robert and Mary Plane who had started the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail; current president is Jon Cupp. Since 2002, the winery has grown by 1,000 percent according to their website, and has won not only the Governor’s Cup and the John Rose Riesling award, but the top pinot noir in North America in the Taster’s Guild International competition.
Thirsty Owl has always had a crowded tasting room when I’ve visited, which is a good sign, and I like the way they feature fruit and acid-driven wines that range from the heritage diamond grape to traminette and red Bordeaux blends including malbec, grown on site.
Jon Cupp was on hand to pour for me and Martha Gioumousis, editor of the Finger Lakes Wine Gazette.
Tasting Highlights:
*Gewurztraminer 2016: Four days of cold soak to extract the typical varietal character. Nose: lychee and rose petal. Palate: classic varietal character and perfect fruit/acid balance. $18.95
*Traminette 2016: a hybrid from Cornell’s research station, one of whose parents is gewurztraminer, this grape is more sustainable in the vineyard that its aromatic parent but is every bit as worthwhile as a wine. Nose: kumquat and tangerine. Palate: same flavors and racy acidity; a bit exotic, fun and very food-friendly. $13.95
Syrah 2016: Nose of black cherry leather and clean earth. Palate: smooth black cherry, spice and clean earth. Impressively true to the northern Rhone. $22.95
*Cabernet Sauvignon 2016: Nose: red cassis. Palate: more ripe cassis, fruit-driven, fine tannins, fine example of a Finger Lakes cabernet. $23.95
* Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec 2016: A complex, spicy, multi-dimensional nose. On the palate, brightly balanced fruit and spice; lively texture. Original and stylish. $24.95
*Cabernet Sauvignon Ice Wine (375 ml, 17.3% R.S.) Nose: Wow! Ripe plum, cassis, chocolate and tobacco. On the palate, Juicy, spicy plum, and dark chocolate. Exotic, original and well-balanced. Great for fine fruitcake or fig-based dessert in winter.
Next: Seneca Lake
Rating Scale: * = very good. ** = exceptional. *** = outstanding