Heritage

BULLY HILL STORY

In the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country stands Bully Hill Vineyards, the region’s most popular estate winery. Bully Hill’s history started almost 150 years ago when master cooper Walter Taylor decided to branch out into winemaking by founding the Taylor Wine Company in 1880. Like many other winemakers of his time, he started small and rustic; by the mid-century, Bully Hill eventually became the largest winery on the eastern coast.

Nearly a hundred years later, history would repeat itself as Walter's grandson, Walter S. Taylor decided to start his own winery on the very spot his grandfather had; the hillside commonly known as Bully Hill. Walter S. Taylor wanted a back-to-basics approach to winemaking. His philosophy was “a product is an extension of a person’s soul” and Bully Hill was quick to shake up the region by utilizing estate-grown French American hybrid grapes as the basis for the winery, creating a wine portfolio that helped revitalize a region that had become stagnant. Walter began making wine at Bully Hill in the mid-sixties, and the winery was formally incorporated in 1970. During this time, starting a new small winery in New York in those days was almost unheard of, but Bully Hill quickly developed a reputation for high-quality varieties, bolstered by the curiosity of the consumers eager to try new wines and Walters’ larger-than-life personality.

Walter S. Taylor, Founder of Bully Hill

One thing that separated Bully Hill from other wineries was its labels. Walter, himself a gifted artist, designed and illustrated all of his own labels. As the years went on the labels evolved and became more artistic, colorful, and irreverent. Then came an unusual wine label called Love My Goat Red. The label featured an orange goat with his tongue sticking out, above him a line read, “they have my name & heritage, but they didn’t get my goat”. The label was a representation of the years of court battles over the “Taylor” trademark, the wine went on to become the winery’s bestseller, spawning two other hugely popular wines: Love My Goat White and Love My Goat Rosé. To this day, the winery continues to be recognized by comsumers for its artistic labels.

The winery, though originally founded by Walter, is now truly a testament to his wife Lillian's vision and relentless dedication. Walter and Lillian met in 1983 and married soon after, beginning a partnership that would shape the winery's future. With Lillian's background in food service and hospitality, she quickley transformed the winery's restaurant into a regional favorite, drawing locals and visitor alike with innovative dishes and an inviting atmosphere.

However, the course of their journey changed dramatically in 1990, when Walter was involved in a devistating car accident that left him a quadriplegic. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Lillian's unwavering determination ensured that the winery remained a family legacy. Refusing to let the tragedy end their dreams, she took charge of the winery's operations, managing its day-to-day functions all while honoring Walter's initial dream. Her leadership truly reflected resilience, foresight, and the lasting strengh of family bonds.

Lillian and Walter Taylor

The winery began with a modest production of a few thousand cases. Today, it has expanded to over 230,000 cases annually and distributes its products to more than twenty states. The winery has evolved into a renowed summer destination, featuring a top-tier restaurant, a wine museum, a tasting room, and gift shops, all set within the beautiful vineyards still cultivated by the Taylor family. Bully Hill takes pride in upholding a legacy that has established it as one of New York State's largest family-owned wineries. The aesthetic at Bully Hill is relaxed and approachable, yet we are dedicated to the quality of our wines. This commitment to excellence enables our customers to enjoy premium quality wines at an affordable price, with a strong emphasis on regional characteristics.

OUR COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE

Walter's comitment to developing new grape varieties that are ecologically sustainable, disease resistant, and better suited to our region reamins steadfast. This vision is shared by Cornell University's AgriTech, with whom we have partnered to create groundbreaking sustainable grape varieties and vineyard practices.

Hybrid grape varieties are key to the growth of our region, and this collaboration will help ensure the success of future growers and producers.

In addition to our work in research and development, we are proud to support the Finger Lakes Community College Viticulture and Wine Center. By investing in this modern, state-of-the-art facilituy, we are providing local students with access to a cutting-edge lab and a world-class winery, empowering them to learn and hone the craft of modern winemaking.