In collaboration with Kelby James Russell, formerly of Red Newt Cellars, Empire Estate was founded with the mission to showcase the diversity and depth of the vineyards found in the Finger Lakes. Each vineyard site is picked and vinified entirely separately to best bring out individual character; from cold soaking decisions, to fermentation style, to aging in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak. The Traditional Method is used for the wine’s secondary fermentation, and after resting through winter and spring, the wine is bottled in early summer.