Eminence Road Farm Winery "Hector" Red Blend

Crafted from the final harvest of old Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon vines at the base of Leidenfrost Vineyard, this red blend carries both history and character. The vines, over 30 years old and rooted in rocky soils, produced their last fruit in 2023 due to the steady decline from leafroll virus. This bottling marks a farewell to a cherished block, raised in the very first barrels the winery acquired back in 2009—Pennsylvania white oak, air-seasoned for three years.

Fermentation included 50% stem retention, with once-daily punchdowns over a 17-day maceration before pressing. The wine completed both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in neutral American oak, and was bottled in September 2024 without fining or filtration, preserving authenticity and texture.

On the palate, it shows blackberry and raspberry leaf, accented by a distinctive wet stone minerality. The style is light, bright, and juicy, carried by grippy tannins that lend structure and energy to the finish.

A limited and singular release, this wine captures a final expression of a beloved Finger Lakes vineyard block.