Winery would take advantage of shoreline climate and soil

A winery operation similar in design to this architect’s sketch could be a center for the area’s wine making potential. Submitted graphic.

Winery would take advantage of shoreline climate and soil

The Bower's have discovered a hidden treasure in Western Monroe County that they are excited to start sharing with the world. What many have flocked to Canandaigua and Niagara on the Lake for will soon be available on the border of Hilton and Hamlin - delicious wine.

Dave Bower Sr., along with his sons Dave Jr. and William, plan to break ground on an 18,000 square foot wine tasting facility just south of Mayer's Cider Mill at 1593 Townline Road. The family also owns the cider mills located on Townline Road and at 699 Five Mile Line Road in Webster.

Their newest venture will be called Mayer's Lake Ontario Winery. Remember the name, because Dave Jr. said it will soon have a prominent place on the map.

"We're lucky to be in New York's hidden treasure," said Dave Jr. The family's good fortune is confirmed by a study performed by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which found the Niagara Escarpment is the most promising undeveloped wine region in New York. An escarpment is a geological term for a clifflike ridge of land. The Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario provide a unique climate and soil that together produce world class Pinot Noir. Wine experts claim that the land is comparable to Burgundy, France.

Within a couple weeks, 51 varieties of wine will be available at Mayer's with an official tasting at the Hilton/Hamlin shop in early October. With many options in between, Mayer's plans to offer Lake Ridge (a dry, high-end wine) and Pirate's Wine (a more fun and fruity taste).

For those who save wine the dessert, Mayer's will also be carrying a line of wine ice cream.

Opening a winery has been a long time in the making for Rochester's juice boys. Dave Jr. said he has been picking grapes since he was five years old. His father purchased Mayer's Cider Mill from Harvey Mayer in 1962, nearly 100 years after the mill began operation. Dave Sr. quickly added growing and pressing grapes into the business plan. As his sons became more active in the business, home wine making kits, wine presses, and other do-it-yourself materials were added to the mix. In 1983, the family bought Vino Corporation, and with that acquisition went full force into wine and beer making supplies.

Today they sell their fruit juices to more than 300 wineries. But now they'll save some of that juice for their own wine. As Dave Jr. lays out the sketches for their winery, he acknowledges the exciting developments ripening before his eyes. "This will be the place to come visit," he said.

Learn more
Mayer's offers classes for aspiring wine afficianados. There is a beginners class that teaches basic wine making and wine and food pairing, an intermediate to advanced class and a hands on class where participants use a 28-day wine kit to make a six gallon batch of wine. Classes are available at both locations. To learn more call 671-1955.