Eric Bauman

Sparkling Winemaker

Eric gained his sparkling wine experience in his early twenties when he moved from his hometown in upstate New York to Sonoma County, California. He began professionally with a cellar job at J Vineyards and Winery in Healdsburg from 1997-2005 producing sparkling wines not only for J Winery, but also by contract for Piper Sonoma sparkling wines. Eric feels very fortunate to have a tactile approach to his career, learning from numerous winemakers and interns along the way. Eric moved back to New York in 2005 looking for opportunities in the Finger Lakes. There he met Fred Frank, president of Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, and his father, Willy Frank who started the winery’s sparkling line of wines. Today Eric manages a 3,000 case per year sparkling wine cellar at the Frank Winery. Using traditional methods, the three classic French champagne grapes and capitalizing on the Finger Lakes climate and terroir, he produces five styles of award-winning vintage and non-vintage sparkling wines.