Uva Chillable Red
Notebook: Best served cold, this wine calls out for a warm summer night or a pleasant autumn afternoon with the BBQ going or a slice of pizza on your plate. Showcasing the fresh berry and peppery spice of Zweigelt, an Austrian varietal with a growing presence in the Finger Lakes, this chillable red is a unique and refreshing alternative to the "big red" status quo.
This is the first wine in our 'Uva' series, inspired by the "Peace & Plenty" pattern of the barn quilt painted on the side of our tasting room. This label will be home to our quirky and quaffable wines, friendly companions that speak to the unique bounty of the Finger Lakes.
Blend: 90% Zweigelt - 10% Pinot Noir
Vineyard: Swedish Hill Vineyards
Winemaking:
Harvest Date: Zweigelt - September 24th, 2022
Pinot Noir - October 5th, 2023
Fermentation: Grapes destemmed into open-top bins with 10 days of maceration on the skins.
Aging: Neutral French and American oak barrels. The lots were blended in March 2024 before being filtered and bottled on May 25th, 2024.
ABV 12.2%
Cases Produced 198
Vinny Aliperti started his wine journey making wine as a teenager with his relatives, never considering it would one day become his profession. After graduating college with a liberal arts degree and a stint in the Peace Corps, an opportunity to pursue commercial winemaking on his native Long Island was presented and he never looked back. From 1997 through 1999, Vinny apprenticed under winemaker Roman Roth at Wolffer Estate, producing mostly Chardonnay and Merlot at its state-of -the -art facility.
In early 2000, Vinny moved his family to the Finger Lakes to work at the legendary Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, where he was first exposed to Riesling production. In 2001, Vinny joined the startup Atwater Estate Vineyards, where he continues today heading up winemaking operations for over 15 varieties. Its 8000 case facility produces estate grown wines, including multiple Rieslings, Gewurztraminer, Blaufränkisch and Cabernet Franc.
With Atwater's blessing, Vinny and his wife, Kim, started their own label, Billsboro Winery, in Geneva, NY in 2007. Sourcing grapes from Sawmill Creek Vineyards on Seneca Lake, Billsboro specializes in producing small lots dry vinifera wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Albariño, Syrah, and Pinot Noir.
