The first planting of grape vines at Markko Vineyard.

Pictured left to right: William "Bill" Konnerth (1911-2005) and Leon Adams (1905-1995) at Markko Vineyard.

Leon Adams was a well-known author of books, articles and pamphlets about North American wine and the founder of the Wine Institute, a trade organization that represents California's wine industry.

Bill Konnerth, co-founder of Pennsylvania's Presque Isle Wine Cellars, was known to give talks on winemaking while touring Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Dr. Frank (1899-1985) was considered by many as the “pioneer of vinifera growers in the East. This independent man, whose spirit and perseverance was legendary among those of us who knew him. He was a man not easily forgotten, a man of great conviction and purpose, whose contribution to the research and development of vinifera led to an explosion of wineries in the eastern United States”.

Source: Markko Vineyard, The Gadding Vine and Wine List, Fall 1985

Gary Woodbury of Woodbury Vineyards in Dunkirk, NY checking sugar levels with a refractometer.

A follower of the methods of Dr. Konstantin FranK, Gary Woodbury planted his first vinifera vines in 1970 and opened a winery in 1980. By the mid 1980s the family had planted over 100 acres of grapes. The winery is still in operation.

John Stavisky (right) pictured next to Arnulf Esterer (left) at an industry event.

John Stavisky was very active in the New York chapter of the American Wine Society and held the position of wine logistics. John and his wife Anne Stavisky received the Outstanding Member Award from the society in 1997.