Jesse Alexander is the head winemaker at Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, where he has worked for five years. Specializing in innovative winemaking techniques, Jesse uses his experience in the Lamoreaux Landing cellar and their state-of-the-art technology to tailor his winemaking style to the winery’s estate fruit. By enhancing vineyard and varietal expression in the cellar, Jesse has been able to put the Viticulture and Enology degree he earned at Finger Lakes Community College to good use. Over his years at Lamoreaux Landing, he has been behind countless wines that garnered 90+ points from publications such as Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator. When not at Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Jesse is a passionate distiller, musician, and craftsman. We hope you enjoy reading his responses to our questions!
EFL: What do you find most challenging about making wine here?
JA: Our volatile climate is the most challenging, resulting in different opportunities and challenges every year. We have to recalibrate and adapt every vintage and sometimes every day of harvest too!
How would you describe your winemaking style?
Every winemaking decision is to enhance vineyard and varietal characteristics while sculpting a dynamic wine that is both balanced and bold.
What is your favorite activity outside of winemaking?
Distilling cognac-style grape brandy. Widening my study of alcoholic beverages provides a more profound understanding with new perspectives and ideas. For me, winemaking and distilling work in tandem to create a unique and innovative approach to creativity.
Do you have any Harvest traditions or superstitions?
In early September, the winemaking and vineyard team sit down and discuss our creative ideas and our plans to make the coming harvest the best vintage yet!
What do you love about where you work?
I love making wine in the Finger Lakes but especially at Lamoreaux Landing because working with solely excellent estate-grown fruit and complete hands-on control from vine to bottle, there is no limit to creativity, innovation, and the unmitigated expression of Lamoreaux Landing terroir.
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, 9224 NY-414, Lodi,(607) 582-6011
The Edible Finger Lakes Meet Your (Wine) Maker column is developed in partnership with the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance whose mission is to increase the visibility and reputation of the Finger Lakes AVA, its wines, and wineries.
