Episode 35: Finger Lakes & Leap of Faith Takes

In this episode, Djenita sits down with Lawrence (Larry) Doolittle from Frontenac Winery, located in the Finger Lakes Wine Region, and Larry shares how pivotal legislation in the late 1970s transformed a sleepy region into a vibrant wine destination with over 500 wineries today—and why small producers are winning in a world dominated by giants.The two discuss how New York's passage of the farm winery bill sparked a renaissance, empowering local farmers to craft and sell their own wines directly to consumers, bypassing outdated laws rooted in prohibition. Larry also breaks down the regional characteristics that make Finger Lakes wines unique—like the lighter, citrus-driven Chardonnays and the approachable reds that keep visitors coming back. Plus, get insights on how the pandemic turned into an unexpected boom for small wineries and what today’s younger generations mean for wine’s future.