Jancis Robinson Writing Competition Finalist
August 18, 2020–An article about Silver Thread’s sustainable practices, written by Jerry Smith, was published on JancisRobinson.com as a finalist in their annual Writing Competition. You can read the entire essay here.
Wine Writing Competition 2020–Silver Thread, Finger Lakes
by Jerry Smith
Silver Thread Vineyard sits on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. The 8 acres of vines start only 200 feet back from the lake, at 100 to 200 feet of elevation above the water. The westward facing slope soaks up the afternoon sun and the shallow soils of silt loam over shale and limestone encourage the roots to dig deep. The lake provides a cooling effect in the summer and frost protection in the winter and spring. It is here in this favorable site that Shannon and Paul Brock decided to make sustainable Finger Lakes wine.
One of the first things you notice when you meet Shannon and Paul is that they like to talk about their work. This is understandable since they are both wine educators. Paul has an MS in Enology and Viticulture from Cornell University, and is an Associate Professor of Viticulture and Wine Technology at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC). Shannon holds the WSET diploma and is a certified wine educator, who has taught WSET classes through level 3. They both believe in the scientific method, yet they also hold a deep respect for the natural world. The Silver Thread labels feature a Native American drawing of a turtle, an earth symbol that the website declares ‘reminds us to care for the land and water that give us the gift of wine’.
