2025 Apollo's Praise - Cabernet Franc Rose Seneca Lake (750ml)
Apollo’s Praise is the project of Finger Lakes winemakers Kelby James Russell and Julia Rose Hoyle, a married couple who met while working at Fox Run Winery on Seneca Lake. Kelby grew up in the region, and Julia also makes the wine at Hosmer Winery. In 2023 they bought the 20-acre Lahoma Vineyard on Seneca Lake’s west side and launched their own label. The name comes from “Glorious Apollo,” a song Kelby performed with the Harvard Glee Club as an undergraduate. It reflects the couple’s twin passions for music and wine.
This rosé comes from Nutt Road Vineyard, a planting of Cabernet Franc on the Dresden Bench above Seneca Lake. Peter Martini of Anthony Road Wine Company farms it sustainably. Kelby has worked with this fruit since his very first rosé in 2013. The grapes are crushed and left on their skins for 72 hours, which gives the wine its vivid color and extra depth. They’re then pressed and fermented cool in stainless steel. The wine is fully dry, and only about 430 cases were made.
The 2025 is lively and aromatic, with watermelon, tart cherry, wild raspberry and citrus peel accented by green herbs. It’s broad and chalky-textured with real grip, finishing long and juicy. Pour it with grilled salmon, charcuterie or a summer tomato salad.