In 1860 when Great Western Winery became the first bonded winery in the United States, they quickly established an international reputation for sparkling wines made in the Finger Lakes from native and hybrid grapes. The first traditional method sparkling wine from European grape varieties (v. vinifera) was made in 1985 by the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. Both approaches to sparkling wine continue to this day, as does production of méthode ancestrale wines. With resurgence of significant consumer interest in sparkling wine, along with significant recognition from the likes of Wine Enthusiast and Decanter, going back to our roots with sparkling wine may just give us the best opportunity to grow in the future.
Meaghan Frank, Vice President, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
Clive Pursehouse, US Editor, Decanter Magazine
Mary Gorman-McAdams, MW, Wine Educator, Speaker, Business Strategist and Independent Consultant
Meaghan Frank, Vice President, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery
Meaghan Frank is the fourth generation of her family to manage Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and two post-graduate degrees: one in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide, Australia and one in enology from Cornell University. Meaghan has earned her Wine Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 4 Diploma in Wine and Spirits and Champagne Master Level and Certified Sherry Specialist from the Wine Scholar Guild. She is a WSET Certified Educator and teaches Level 2 and 3 WSET courses in the Finger Lakes region. Since joining the winery in 2013, some notable achievements include adding unique visitor experiences and creating a super-premium line of wines paying tribute to the women of the Frank Family. Looking into the future, advancements in technology, winemaking, and viticultural practices are in the works.
Clive Pursehouse, US Editor, Decanter Magazine
Clive Pursehouse is the US Editor for Decanter. He has been writing about the wines of the Pacific Northwest of the US for the last fifteen years. Upon relocating to the West Coast twenty years ago, he developed a deep appreciation for the wines of Washington state. A few years later, he fell in love with the Pinot Noirs produced in Oregon's Willamette Valley. He was the Culture Editor for Peloton Magazine, where he wrote about cycling, travel, wine, and cuisine for ten years. He's very funny.
Mary Gorman-McAdams, MW, Wine Educator, Speaker, Business Strategist and Independent Consultant
Mary Gorman-McAdams is a Master of Wine, and independent wine consultant, wine judge, educator, conference speaker, and business strategist with a specialist focus on sparkling wines and the wines of Bordeaux.
Between 2014 and 2019 she was the North American Consultant for the Bordeaux Wine Council, where she led its marketing + educational programs focused on growing the market for Bordeaux wines. From 2019 and 2021 she was Director at International Wine Center (IWC), NYC, where she has taught wines classes wince 2002. Indeed, Mary continues to teach at IWC and also consult for Bordeaux Wines. Other clients include NY Wine, Vins de Medoc and Wine Australia.
In 2020 Mary was elected to the IMW Council and since 2012 she has served on its global education committee. Mary is a proud member of the New York Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International and has served on the Advisory Board of Women in Wine leadership Symposium since its inception.
As a networker, wine educator and marketer, Mary has served as a mentor to wine students for 15+ years –as well as young wine industry professionals and is a regular judge and speaker at TEXSOM International Wine Awards and conference.
When not talking or tasting wine, Mary loves to be on the sidelines of a soccer field with her husband Joe, cheering on their college sophomore son Luca.