Visit McGregor Vineyard on Keuka Lake March 4th & 5th for the annual celebration of the Finger Lakes' most unique and sought after dry red wine, the Black Russian Red. The event runs each day from 11 AM to 5 PM and is a delicious food and wine experience. This event will feature the release of the 2013 Black Russian Red 36 Month Barrel Reserve. This is a rare estate grown wine made primarily from Saperavi grapes blended with Sereksiya Charni grapes, which were first grown in Georgia and Moldova, respectively.
Founder Robert McGregor is a visionary leader of growing and producing fine red wines in the northeastern United States and the Black Russian Red is a culmination of over 40 years of pioneering effort. This hearty dry red blend of these two grape varietals remains entirely unique to McGregor Vineyard in the United States. At this event visitors have the opportunity to sample a few vintages of this wine spanning the past decade.
Each year these grapes are harvested by hand, fermented, and aged for two to three years in small American Oak barrels. This year's celebration showcases the release of the winery's second ever “Reserve” bottling of this wine, the 2013 36 month barrel reserve vintage. This reserve pays homage to Mukuzani, considered the finest bottlings Saperavi from Georgia, and traditionally barrel aged for a minimum of three years.
Barrel samples of the outstanding 2014 vintage are also available and "futures" of this pre-release vintage may be purchased. The McGregors are also dusting off a very limited number of bottles of some mature older vintages that are also available for tasting. This includes the 2007 30 month barrel reserve. A nominal fee of $5 will be charged for this additional special tasting of cellared and barreled wines.
Kismet New American Bistro in Naples, NY is preparing this year’s special menu of Moroccan Beef Stew & Baguette and a Flourless Chocolate Torte with Black Cherry Coulis.
The cost to attend the Black Russian Red Bash is $12 and guests will each receive a complimentary McGregor logo wine glass. Please call the winery at 800-272-0192 with your reservation.
