Six generations, one hill above the lake.

High Elevation. Lake Influence. Honest Wine.

Perched on the hills above Cayuga Lake, Ball Vineyards sits where elevation meets water — one of the Finger Lakes’ most distinctive growing environments. Our vines rise from high ground and look down toward the lake, capturing the cooling winds, moderating temperatures, and extended growing season that define great cool-climate viticulture.

At just 11½ acres, we are intentionally small. Every decision — how we farm, how we steward the soil, how we grow and harvest fruit — is personal, deliberate, and transparent from soil to glass.

Our Terroir

Between the Heights and the Lake

Ball Vineyards occupies a rare position in the Finger Lakes, nestled between some of the region’s highest vineyard elevations and the stabilizing influence of Cayuga Lake itself. This natural balance creates slower ripening, vibrant acidity, and layered aromatics — hallmarks of expressive cool-climate wines.

Our site is not manufactured. It’s earned — through elevation, exposure, biodiversity, and decades of intimate knowledge of this land.

Farming Philosophy

Eco-Committed. Soil-Driven. Transparent.

We farm with deep respect for the ecosystem that sustains us.

• Sustainable, eco-friendly farming practices
• Hand-harvested fruit only
• Minimal spray program
• No restricted pesticides
• No synthetic fertilizers
• Organic-based farming approach
• On-farm blended compost, made by us
• Focused on building and protecting soil microbiology
• Biodiverse vineyard systems

Healthy soils produce resilient vines. Resilient vines produce honest fruit. Honest fruit makes credible wine.

Our commitment is not a label — it’s a practice. We farm for long-term vitality, not short-term yield, creating wines with integrity for the environmentally conscious drinker.

From Soil to Glass

Education & Transparency

Ball Vineyards is built on openness. We believe wine should be understood, not mystified. From compost creation to clone selection, from pruning decisions to harvest timing, we are transparent about how our wines are grown.

Education is part of our mission — because informed drinkers make better connections to the land, the wine, and the people behind it.

The Vineyard

Varieties & Plantings

Our vineyard is planted entirely to cool-climate varieties suited to our elevation and lake-influenced site. Many vines were grown from our own nursery stock and grafted by hand.

• Léon Millot — 4 acres (Boordy & Foster clones)
• Riesling — 1 acre (clones #90 & #110)
• Chardonnay — 1½ acres (clones #95 & #589)
• Marquette — 1 acre
• Cayuga White — 1½ acres
• Cabernet Franc — 1 acre (clone #115)
• Traminette — ½ acre
• Pinot Noir — 0.3 acre (Jackson clone #29)

Each block is farmed individually, respecting its specific soils, exposures, and microclimates.

Our Roots

Six Generations on Finger Lakes Soil

Farming is not new to us — it’s inherited.

Our family has farmed in the Finger Lakes for six generations. The vineyard grows on the same land where George was raised as a dairy farmer. From 1994 to 2006, he built and operated a nearby fruit farm, planting over 5,000 peach and cherry trees and deepening his understanding of perennial crops, soil health, and long-term land stewardship.

We began planting grapes in 2007, applying decades of farming experience to viticulture — grounded in observation, patience, and respect for place.

Our Promise

Wine with Credibility

Ball Vineyards produces wine with purpose and accountability. Every bottle reflects:

• Environmental responsibility
• Deep agricultural knowledge
• Cool-climate precision
• A true Finger Lakes sense of place

This is wine grown thoughtfully, farmed responsibly, and shared honestly.