Chardonel

A late-ripening French hybrid variety, Chardonel can produce a high quality wine with varietal character simular to Chardonnay, but with more fruit character. It is a cross of the popular French hybrid Seyval and the classic vinifera Chardonnay. It is distinguished by its superior wine quality combined with high productivity and cold hardiness. The vine is vigorous and productive, producing green grapes with large clusters. Owl Creek’s ChardonOwl is made from Chardonel.

 

Seyval Blanc

A French hybrid varietal that is famous for its resistance to cold, hailing from northern France. Seyval Blanc buds and ripens early and provides a good alternative in cool climates to grapes such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc that don't like the extreme cold. Crisp and dry versions have flavors and aromas of citrus fruits and a certain minerality that some compare to white Burgundies. Also takes well to oak and malolactic fermentation. Grown extensively in the Midwestern U.S., England and the cool Finger Lakes region of New York state. Owl Creek’s Seyval Blanc is 100% Shawnee Hills grapes.

 

Vignoles

It is grown widely in the northeastern United States and known for its high acidity and for being prone to noble rot. The berries develop big citrus flavors that make it ideal for a dessert wine in the Shawnee Hills, but the vines are low yielding and tempermental. Vignoles is a French Hybrid reportedly derived from Pinot de Corton and Subereux. Owl Creek’s ZenGeist dessert wine is made from late-harvest Vignoles.

  

Niagara

An American hybrid grape that is very common in the cooler regions of the Great Lakes as it resists cold and disease very well. Very productive and distinctly foxy (big grape flavor), so the Niagara is highly sought after as a sweet wine. Niagara is also very popular in Brazil and Greece. Niagara is used to produce Owl Creek’s Water Valley White.

 

Cayuga

Specifically designed at Cornell University for the cold-climate conditions of New York State's Finger Lakes region, Cayuga is extensively grown there. This hybrid – a cross between the Seyval Blanc and Schuyler cultivars -- has been embraced by winemakers in eastern states and other frost-susceptible parts of North America. It is hardy, disease-resistant and produces quality fruit. It is known for its very large, high-yielding clusters. Early picking is important to maintain the grape’s acidity, fruit character and floral bouquet often associated with Riesling. Cayuga has proven to be a versatile varietal, capable of producing off-dry white wines, sparklers and, on occasion, even oak-aged table wines.  Owl Creek’s Water Valley White contains Cayuga.