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LEGISLATIVE  RESOLUTION  commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Frank
Vinifera Wine Cellars

WHEREAS, It is the sense of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize  and
commend  the  achievements of individuals, organizations, and businesses
which contribute substantially to the economic health  and  vitality  of
the communities of the great State of New York; and
  WHEREAS,  Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly  proud  to  commem-
orate  the  50th  Anniversary  of  Dr.  Frank  Vinifera  Wine Cellars of
Hammondsport, New York; and
  WHEREAS, As Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars observes its 50th Anniver-
sary this year, it celebrates an historic milestone for the  winery  and
the Finger Lakes wine industry; and
  WHEREAS,  Fifty years ago Dr. Konstantin Frank pioneered the introduc-
tion of the European vitis vinifera to the Finger Lakes, forever  chang-
ing  the  course  of winemaking in the Finger Lakes and the Northeastern
United States; and
  WHEREAS, Prior to Dr. Konstantin Frank's introduction of vitis  vinif-
era  to  the  region,  the only grape varietals planted in the area were
native vitis labrusca and French hybrids; it was thought  that  European
vitis  vinifera  could  not  survive  the harsh winters of the area; Dr.
Konstantin Frank, however, believed from his years in the  Ukraine  that
the  lack  of proper rootstock, not the cold climate, was the reason for
the failure of Vitis Vinifera vines to thrive in the region; and
  WHEREAS, In 1962, Dr. Konstantin Frank founded Vinifera  Wine  Cellar;
the winery quickly earned a reputation for spectacular Rieslings and its
original  planting  of  vines  formed  the backbone of the Finger Lakes'
world-class still and sparkling wines; and
  WHEREAS, Dr. Frank's vision, knowledge and determination are  credited
with  elevating the Finger Lakes wine industry to a level which commands
world attention; and
  WHEREAS, Today, Dr. Konstantin Frank's legacy lives on as  the  Finger
Lakes  wine  industry  continually grows and expands; with more than 200
wineries in the Finger Lakes now producing world-class wines, the region
has earned a well-deserved reputation as one  of  the  most  prestigious
winemaking regions in the world; and
  WHEREAS,  Dr.  Frank  Vinifera Wine Cellars continues to be New York's
most award-winning winery since 1962; the winery won  an  impressive  51
Gold  Medals  in  2011  and  was  also  given a Four Star Rating by HUGH
JOHNSON'S POCKET WINE BOOK 2012; and
  WHEREAS, Dr. Frank's wines have been featured at the White  House,  on
the  "Today  Show," in the NEW YORK TIMES and in other esteemed publica-
tions and on a multitude of prestigious tables; and
  WHEREAS, Riesling, the winery's flagship varietal, continues  to  lead
the  way;  the  winery's 2010 Dry Riesling scored a 94 Point Rating from
the Los Angeles International Wine Competition as well  as  a  90  Point
Rating from the Beverage Testing Institute; and
  WHEREAS,  Dr.  Frank's  Semi-Dry Riesling scored 93 Point Ratings from
both the Beverage Testing Institute and the  Los  Angeles  International
Wine  Competition  and  WINE  & SPIRITS MAGAZINE recently recognized the
Frank family as one of the  "Great  Families  in  Wine"  and  also  gave
Chateau Frank's 2006 Blanc de Blancs a 90 Point Rating; and
  WHEREAS, A 50th Anniversary celebration is planned for Sunday, July 1,
2012  at  Dr.  Frank  Vinifera Wine Cellars, located on Keuka Lake a few
miles north of Hammondsport, and its Tasting Room is  open  year  round;
and

  WHEREAS,  It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge such
outstanding enterprises as Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars and  individ-
uals  such  as  its  President,  Frederick Frank, who are an example and
inspiration to their colleagues, friends, and family; now, therefore, be
it
  RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative  Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine  Cellars  of
Hammondsport, New York; and be it further
  RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted  to  Frederick  Frank,  President  of  Dr.  Frank  Vinifera Wine
Cellars, Hammondsport, New York.