Fields of Plenty:
Sawmill Creek Vineyards
In our current May/June 2015 issue’s Fields of Plenty column, we take a closer look at Sawmill Creek Vineyards to learn more about what goes into running a successful grapery.
The Hazlitt family has been growing grapes on this particular piece of earth since 1852. Tina is married to Eric Hazlitt, sixth generation in the family. He is the son of Jim Hazlitt. When the Hazlitts started expanding into different business directions during the 1980s, Jim kept the original land and continued growing grapes. He was one of the first growers in the Finger Lakes to try establishing non-native varieties. Sawmill Creek was among the very first vineyards to have Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc, varieties now common in this region.
Over the years, Sawmill Creek has seen its fruit go into the bottles of many notable wineries: Red Newt Cellars, Bellwether Wine Cellars, Billsboro Winery, Dr. Kostantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Rooster Hill Vineyards,and Swedish Hill Winery. Tina and Eric even supply grapes to Hector Wine Company right across the road, which is owned and operated by their son, Jason, and Justin Boyette. A total of 21 wineries currently get fruit from Sawmill Creek.
To learn more about Sawmill Creek Vineyards, read Matt Kelly’s full profile on them in our May/June issue!
Photo by Matt Kelly
