Red Wines

Famous Fossil red wines are expressive of the cold climate region of wine grape growing.  Our red wines are made from some of the most recent releases of wine grape varieties as well as some tried and true varieties.  Famous Fossil reds range from light to full bodied with varying complexity and are very food friendly. 

~Fossil Rock Red ~
A full bodied red wine made from Frontenac grapes. Dimensions of current, vanilla, oak and chocolate.  $19.95/bottle  

~Fossil Creek Red~
SOLD OUT~ This dry red wine will return early 2012.

~Fireside Red, Estate Bottled~
This Port-style red wine is made from Frontenac grapes grown in the Famous Fossil vineyard.  Rich and intense, it is a wine to sip and savor.  Open now or age til 2018.  Alc. content 20%
$24.95/bottle 
Private tastings available in 2012. 

White Wines

Each of our white wines are unique in its style and flavor. Dry or sweet, soft or crisp, Famous Fossil white wines are balanced with fruit, acidity and complexity.

~Crescent Moon White ~ 
This is one of our favorites - a dry white wine with plenty of zip! The LaCrescent grape creates a wine that is crisp and shining with citrus flavors. Crescent Moon White is sure to please the most discriminating palate.  $12.95/bottle

~Traminette~
This soft German style white wine has a little spice and a hint of sweet.  Traminette makes a great holiday dinner wine, pairing well with a wide variety of foods.  Serve well chilled.  
$12.95/bottle 

~Vignoles~
This fruity, sweet wine is lovely as a dessert wine or on its own. Tropical fruit make this a real taste delight. 
$14.95/bottle

~Over the Moon~
A sparkling white wine made from our LaCrescent grapes, this wine is a cause for celebration!  Just the right amount of bubbles in a refreshing wine with light citrus.  
$14.95/bottle

Fruit Wines
 

Our fruit wines are made from whole fruit and are in the style of a dessert wine. Sweet without being cloying, our fruit wines taste as if you are biting into a piece of fresh fruit. This natural crispness means that our fruit wines are generally not as sweet as most desserts. Because of this, pair our fruit wines with fresh fruit, soft cheeses, dark chocolate or serve them on their own.

~Blackberry Wine~ 
Made from whole berries, this wine is a Famous Fossil favorite.  It is sweet with a lingering finish.  Perfect for a gift or to enjoy yourself.  
$16.95/bottle

~Red Raspberry  SOLDOUT~
 

Wine Know How

Why does wine taste different from year to year?

Have you ever found a wine you really loved but, the next time you tried it, it just didn’t taste the same. Maybe you remember that the 2008 Crescent Moon White was steely and stony like a Sauvignon Blanc. But the 2009 Crescent Moon, made from the LaCrescent grape, is in-your-face fruity with tons of citrus flavors. What’s that about?

Well, 2009 had warm nights throughout the summer so the LaCrescent grape developed different characteristics, a little lower acidity, slightly higher natural sugar. Ken also decided to use a new yeast to ferment the wine. So, weather and the fermentation are just a couple of things that can make a wine change from year to year.

It’s our job to bring out the best in the grapes we make into wine. And that might be slightly different each year. That’s just one of the things that make wine so fascinating!

Why can't you tell us exactly when a wine will be ready?

We are happy that our customers are anxious for our new wines.  But we can't always tell you exactly when a wine will be in the bottle.  Here's one reason why. 

The wine is aged to perfection and tastes fabulous.   But, it's cloudy.  This is normal because wine at this stage naturally contains suspended particles, such as proteins or pectins.  These particles have either a positive or a negative charge.  

The first step to a clear wine involves racking the wine, or moving it from one tank to another and leaving sediment behind.  Many of you have watched this process from our tasting room.  Next, we add a fining agent with the opposite charge of the particles.  The agent binds with the particles, dropping them out of the wine.   This step takes time and analysis.  We have to determine what the suspended matter is, what charge it has and which fining agent will work.  Bet you didn't know winemakers are chemists at heart!

The final stage involves moving the wine through filters to give it that sparkling, clear look that everyone loves.  The Famous Fossil Winery philosophy calls for gentle handling of both our grapes and our wines.  Minimal filtration ensures that subtle and complex flavors remain in the wines.  

We'd love to give you a date when the wine will be ready, but our clocks are set to "Wine Time."  We try to bring the best wines for you to enjoy and we appreciate your patience!

Why do wineries charge for wine tastings?

Many people come to wineries for a wine tasting and are looking for the perfect wine for their dinner, for a gift or for wine to have on hand for any occasion.  But many people come to wineries for more than just wine.  They want to learn something about wines and winemaking.  They want to see into the winemaking area and watch wine being made.  They want to see grapes growing and walk through the vineyard.  These experiences enhance a trip to a winery and make it fun for individuals, couples, friends and families. 

We hope that you will understand that having a winery where you can view the winemaking and the vineyard, that having staff who are pleasant and well informed and having wine that is unique to the cold climate region make Famous Fossil Vineyard & Winery more than just a wine tasting experience.  We believe that our wine tasting fees are extremely reasonable considering the experience that you will have during your visit. 

We're happy to listen to your suggestions on how we can make your visit even better!