Our Story

A pioneer of Finger Lakes wine country since 1984

Knapp Vineyard Grapes Finger Lakes

Knapp Winery was established in 1984 by Doug and Susan Knapp. Knapp Winery has been given new ownership and new life as of December 2021, now owned by Cole and Karen Wilson. Prior to taking on the business, the Wilsons had already fallen in love with the winery, visiting regularly, and plan to build on the foundation established by the Knapps.

Knapp has a long tradition of producing premium, popular wines on the soils of Cayuga Lake. Located close to Seneca Falls and easily accessible from the New York State Thru-Way, Knapp Winery has been a destination winery from its inception.

40 Years of Tradition & Innovation

Tradition and innovation are truly at the core of what we do at Knapp. Knapp Winery planted some of the first vinifera grapes along the shores of Cayuga Lake and is the very first winery in the Finger Lakes Appellation to plant and vinify the grape variety Cabernet Franc.

Today, Knapp Winery's dedicated staff offers premium reds such as Cabernet Franc, Saperavi, and Blaüfrankisch, alongside whites such as signature Rieslings and Chardonnay. Our Blaüfrankisch won 'Best in Class’ in the 2022 Governor’s Cup–we’re honored to say it’s the best Blau in the region. While we offer many beloved favorites like our Profondo Rosso (previously Pasta Red), Knapp continues to innovate with varietals like Saperavi, a unique Georgian variety that’s gaining new appreciation across the country.

Knapp is also the only winery east of the Mississippi to grow the Austrian grape for Siegerrebe. Descended from Gewurztraminer, it is heavily aromatic like its ancestor while staying away from the rose and perfume notes that can sometimes dominate Gewurtz. The wines we choose to produce come from years of passion and experience from our talented staff and winemaker. We’re honored to welcome you for a tasting, delicious glass, or wine pairing dinner.

Recognizing the importance of wine with food, Knapp opened the Vineyard Restaurant in 1992, becoming the first winery restaurant on Cayuga Lake. Our restaurant celebrates local ingredients and seasonality of the Finger Lakes. The restaurant is open May through October, reservations welcome.

Plan your visit soon to discover why Knapp has grown for four decades.

Knapp Vineyard Vines

Knapp Winery is located in the Cayuga Appellation of Upstate New York, in the heart of the Finger Lakes region.

The Land

Finger Lakes wine country is home to over a hundred wineries and is North America’s premier cool-climate region. Understanding that wine is about a certain place–its soil, climate, and proximity to water–can help enhance your appreciation of the wine.

The lakes in our region strongly impact the growing seasons. In the Spring, the lakes provide cool air that delay flowering and protect the vines from spring frosts. In the summer, cool air ripples through our vineyards, safekeeping the vibrant flavors in our grapes. In the Fall, the warmed lakes from the summer heat protect the vines from early frost. Cool climate wines have vibrant fruit, low alcohol, and acidity. These characteristics create mouth-watering, delicious wines. 

There are certain varietals that stand out in our region and none better than Riesling. The Finger Lakes wine region produces world-class Rieslings and Knapp Rieslings have won many awards. 

Here at Knapp you will be also be able to sample Cabernet Franc, Saperavi, Blaüfrankisch, and Chardonnay, along side French-American Hybrids such as Seyval Blanc, Baco Noir, and more.  We are sure you will find more than one variety that excites you, proving that cool-climate wines are extraordinary.

Save the Bees

Knapp Winery aims to protect the land we use and take up the smallest footprint possible.

One way we do this is by keeping bees on the property to help support the ecosystem.

Our production team works with precision viticulture techniques to refine and reduce our pesticide use and continues to make our process eco-friendly.

Knapp in the Community

Knapp Winery is active in the local community and passionate about our impact. Knapp regularly works with non-profit organizations, including Lodi Food Pantry, of which Cole is on the board, Golisano Children’s Hospital, and the Hydrocephalus Association.

The Wilsons Knapp Winery Owners

Meet the Owners

Cole and his wife Karen first moved to Rochester in 1991, where they raised their two sons, Zach and Curtis. Their journey has taken them to Denver, New York City, and the Finger Lakes. The Wilsons have taken on the honor of owning Knapp Winery in December 2021.

Karen Wilson is a pediatrician with UR Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester. She has a long-standing passion for wine and food and is excited to be part of Knapp’s next chapter.

A long-time aficionado of New York wine himself, Cole and his wife have hosted many events in different wineries in his professional career. In doing so, he passionately introduced people to different wineries and winemakers, becoming a champion of Finger Lakes wine. His enthusiasm for wine is matched by his generosity.  He has immersed himself in various jobs of the winemaking process through the years and volunteering for many.

Cole hopes to produce more vinifera wines at Knapp while continuing to deliver the fresh and characteristically unique wines that has made the winery so beloved.

“I am looking forward to working with our Knapp crew to solidify plans to make Knapp Winery one of the best wineries in the Finger Lakes.”

Cheers to the next chapter in Knapp’s beautiful story.

Meet the Team

  • Vanessa Hoffman

    WINEMAKER

    Vanessa grew up in Silicon Valley, a short distance from Napa and Sonoma, where she became fascinated by the romantic idea of growing wine grapes since she was eight years old. As a young adult who knew nothing about wine, she shifted focus in college at UC, Berkeley, where she majored in Neurobiology. After college, she decided to work a harvest in the laboratory as a lark before applying for medical school. Her first harvest was a Ridge at Lytton Springs in Healdsburg, California, and was so inspired that she never left the industry.

    Since then, she has worked in wineries in California, New Zealand, Australia, and Italy. Most recently, she earned her master’s degree in Viticulture & Enology in Italy. Vanessa was the enologist at Groth Vineyards & Winery in Napa for several years, before joining the Duckhorn Portfolio as an assistant winemaker with Decoy. Vanessa hopes to continue the long history of quality winemaking at Knapp and use her skills gathered from her worldwide travels. When not making wine, she enjoys cooking, embroidery, and teaching Ham to swim.

  • Jim Bond

    VINEYARD MANAGER

    Jim is a Finger Lakes native with more than a decade of farming and every other type of wine production work under his belt. Born and raised in North Hector, he spends his time living in and loving the beauty that surrounds him.

    After spending some time in a wine cellar , he decided that he needed to know how to grow the grapes that were being made into word-class wines. He was hooked. We are honored to have Jim’s talents and perspective for his 17th harvest season as of 2023.

    When he isn't talking about his amazing family, he’s probably talking someone’s ear off about sailing or fishing. In a past life, Bond traveled as a professional sailor along the East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska.

  • Shari Derleth

    TASTING ROOM ASSOCIATE

  • Brent Beltran

    Cellar Master & Facilities Manager

  • Hamish "Hammie"

    TRUSTED SIDEKICK, ASSISTANT WINEMAKER
    Hamish “Hammie” Hoffman joined the team with Vanessa. As assistant winemaker, Ham wears many hats, including hospitality in the tasting room, grape sampling in the vineyards, and micromanaging the Knapp chickens. When he is not in the vineyards with Vanessa, he can often be found near the tasting room greeting guests and sharing snacks. His hobbies include sock theft, belly rubs, and kisses (you have been warned).