INTRODUCTION:
Heart & Hands Wine Company, a Finger Lakes Farm Winery, operates a certified sustainable 11-acre vineyard on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region. Known for its dedication to crafting fine wines, Heart & Hands specializes in Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and several rare esoteric grapes, producing small-batch, artisanal wines that highlight the unique terroir of the Finger Lakes.
Owned by Tom and Susan Higgins, Heart & Hands provides a warm and engaging experience for visitors, focusing on sustainability and environmental respect in their wine-growing practices. Their emphasis on quality has earned them exceptional media coverage and recognition in the wine community. The company’s inviting tasting room offers a personal and educational experience, attracting wine enthusiasts who appreciate the intimate connection between the vineyard, the land, and the wine. Situated in a picturesque location near Union Springs, Heart & Hands is a beloved destination for those exploring the rich viticultural landscape of the Finger Lakes.
Property Overview:
- 14 acres on New York State Route 90 – a scenic byway
- Bordered on the north by a small creek
- Bordered on the east by an organically farmed hay field
- Access via a gravel driveway and two farm lanes
- 11 acres of mature vinifera vineyards, sustainably farmed since the property’s inception
- 3 acres containing buildings, parking, driveways, headlands
- Stunning views from multiple vantage points
Vineyard Overview:
The Heart & Hands estate vineyard faces East and gently slopes toward the shores of Cayuga Lake, which is approximately 200 yards to the west. The vineyard was planted in 2 phases, in 2010 and 2019. Our first estate vintage, produced from fruit harvested on-site in 2012, was released in 2014. The soils at Heart & Hands are predominantly well-drained, consisting of gravelly loam atop the Onondaga Limestone formation. We maintain the vineyard through sustainable practices, refraining from the use of herbicides and insecticides, and are a New York Certified Sustainable Vineyard.
Limestone Makes Us Unique
Great wines begin with the ideal site, which must be suitable to the vine’s unique preferences. Putting down roots on limestone-based soils was a must, so Heart & Hands invested significant time on site selection to find the most optimal location for growing Pinot Noir. The ideal site also needed to be close to one of the larger Finger Lakes, have gently sloping terrain, and be on a main road to allow easy access for visiting tourists.
Limestone bedrock is rare in the Finger Lakes. It only exists on the formations that are portrayed in red in this geological map. The vineyard is entirely underpinned by Onondaga limestone and features several different soil types. The vineyard slopes gently toward Cayuga lake which acts as a thermal regulator and safeguards the vines against extreme temperatures.
Vineyard Overview:
Planted in 2 Phases, 3.8 Acres in 2010 and 7 Acres in 2019. The 2010 Vineyard is planted predominantly to Pinot Noir, with a limited amount of Riesling, and features one of the most diverse clonal plantings of Pinot Noir in the Finger Lakes. The 2019 Vineyard is planted to a broader variety of cultivars. The timeless classics: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling; and the rare esoterics: Aligoté, Lagrein, Pinot Auxerrois, and Petite Arvine.
The vineyard is expected to yield 35 – 40 tons once in full production. Wines crafted from the estate’s fruit fetch a premium on the market: Pinot Noirs between $50 – $65 / bottle, Rieslings between $32 – 40 / bottle, and Esoterics between $36 and $61 per bottle.
Vineyard Practices and Sustainability
Heart & Hands Wine Company has been committed to sustainable viticulture, a practice that emphasizes environmental responsibility and the health of the vineyard ecosystem, since our inception. We are a New York Certified Sustainable vineyard, a certification that reflects our adherence to rigorous standards that promote biodiversity, soil health, and reduced use of chemicals. Sustainable viticulture practices at Heart & Hands include refraining from the use of herbicides and insecticides, use of cover crops to prevent soil erosion, and careful water management to conserve resources. These efforts ensure that the vineyards remain healthy and productive, contributing to the long-term sustainability of the winery and its surrounding environment.
Wine Portfolio and Critical Acclaim
The wine portfolio showcases the diverse expressions of the Finger Lakes terroir. Heart & Hands’ reputation was built on making exceptional cool-climate Pinot Noir, and we received the highest scores (to date) for a Finger Lakes red wines from a major publication – a 98 point score for our 2022 Mo Chuisle Pinot Noir, 97 points for our 2023 Mo Chuisle, and 96 points for our 2020 Mo Chuisle. Pinot Noir offerings include estate-grown wines, blends, and single-vineyard selections, dry rosé, and our cult-classic white Pinot Noir – Polarity.
Rieslings include blends and Estate-specific bottlings that highlight the nuanced characteristics of our vineyard. Our Chardonnay collection includes stainless and barrel-fermented options including Estate grown wines. Sparkling wines include a Blanc de Noir, Brut Rosé, a Blanc de Blanc, and a Sparkling Riesling, each meticulously crafted in the traditional method to deliver a refined and elegant tasting experience.
In addition to these core varieties, Heart & Hands grows and produces wines from a rare, esoteric series of grapes, experimenting with new cultivars to expand our offerings and provide innovative, limited-edition wines. This strategic mix allows us to cater to a wide range of palates and preferences while staying true to our dedication to Pinot Noir, quality, and sustainability.
The winery maintains an inventory of current, recently produced, and investment-grade library wines, which will transfer to the buyer at a mutually agreed-upon value separate from the purchase price.
Facilities and Infrastructure
- 6,500 sq. ft. state-of-the-art production facility with interior wine production space, a covered outdoor fruit processing area, a temperature-controlled barrel room + warehouse for cased and bulk wine, lab, and office space.
- Welcoming indoor tasting room and an outdoor tasting area with a vineyard view
- Apartment living quarters
- Winery is on public water and sewer, with access to high speed internet via cable or fiber
Winery Equipment
State-of-the-art winery equipment carefully selected for premium wine production and ease of operations during harvest. Highlights include:
- WECO Grapetek optical sorter
- Milani Estasi destemmer
- Mori P295FL hydraulic basket press
- Criveller Milani PVC elevator
- Macrobins for fermentation
- Fixed and variable capacity stainless steel tanks
- Francois Freres French Oak Barrels
- Glycol chiller and chiller plates
Vineyard Equipment
Vineyard equipment used to farm the vineyard sustainably and perform requisite cultivation, spraying, maintenance, and harvest activities. Highlights include:
- Kubota M8540 Tractor
- Antonio Carraro Orchard Tractor TC 5800 F
- Antonio Carraro Orchard Tractor TRG 7900R
- Can Am Devender Max XT 4 passenger UTV
- Braun grape hoe
- Lipco single row tunnel sprayer
- Vicon pendular spreader
- 3 bottom plow
- Woods Brush Bull 60
- Imants Spader
- MunckHof 4 blade single “L” vine hedger
- Rinieri EL140 weed remover
- Thiessen adaptive cultivation system
- Heat tape system and power setup