Rooster Hill Winery

OUR HISTORY
Savored, favored and honored, Rooster Hill Vineyards has grown into one of the most highly respected wineries in the region.

It all started in 2000 when Amy and David Hoffman brought a touch of Tuscany to Rooster Hill overlooking beautiful Keuka Lake. While looking back on the early years with pride, the Hoffmans and their team continually strive to make the experience even better for patrons and wine lovers everywhere.

Rooster Hill’s estate vineyards on the east side of Keuka Lake produce red and white vintages recognized around the world. Rooster Hill wines have earned hundreds of medals since the winery opened. Wine Spectator and other national wine magazines have rewarded Rooster Hill with high ratings.

For example, in 2016, two of the nation’s largest wine competitions singled out Rooster Hill’s 2014 Dry Riesling as an outstanding wine. The wine was awarded a Double Gold Medal at the prestigious San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and a gold medal at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition in Rochester.

The highest quality wine experience was the goal when Amy, a former marketing executive for a Fortune 500 high-tech company, and David, a financial planner and tax adviser with a private practice, decided to leave Southern California and move closer to their hometowns of Akron and Clarence. They had discovered Keuka Lake in the 90s and agreed it was the place where they would eventually like to spend more of their time than annual family vacations.

In early 2000, they traded their business suits and briefcases for jeans and work boots and never looked back.

They planted the Savina Estate Vineyard in 2002 with Cabernet Franc, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Lemberger. Savina yielded its first fruit for winemaking in 2004. Named after Amy’s great grandmother, who emigrated from Italy in the late 1800s, Rooster Hill’s Savina vineyard faces west on a gentle slope and enjoys warm sun and cool breezes. In early 2003, they planted the Catherine Estate Vineyard. Named after Amy’s great aunt, this vineyard is at a slightly higher elevation and includes Lemberger, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Gewürztraminer. In 2007, the Giuseppe Vineyard, named after Amy’s great uncle, was planted and includes Vidal Blanc, which is used as a key component in the popular white wine called Silver Pencil. The Barbara Anne vineyard, planted in 2013, is named in honor of Amy’s mother, who passed away in December 2012. Grape varietals include Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.