A farmer, community leader, and entrepreneur from Prattsburgh in Steuben County, NY, Raymond Fedderman established the Fedderman Wine Company in the early 1970s, creating New York State’s first Black American owned winery.
While working in the Finger Lakes region, Fedderman was encouraged to open his own winery by Walter Taylor, a member of the prominent Taylor Wine Company family and founder of Bully Hill Vineyards.
Although Fedderman’s company produced only a single vintage in 1973 before financial challenges led to its closure, the surviving bottles represent an important chapter in local, regional, and national history.
The Finger Lakes Wine Museum, home to the Northeast’s largest collection of vintage wine bottles, holds several rare Fedderman Wine Company bottles in its collection.
Upcoming Event
On Friday, June 19, 2026 conservator Kate Wight Tyler and Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN) will formally return five newly conserved wine bottles and labels from the Fedderman Wine Company to the museum, where they will be placed on permanent display.
A presentation will explore both the conservation process and the historical significance of the bottles, followed by a reception with refreshments, hors d’oeuvres, and music by Son Sur Son.
The conservation of the Finger Lakes Wine Museum’s Fedderman wine bottles and labels was made possible through a Save America’s Treasures grant administered by GHHN and supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Conservation treatment was carried out by Kate Wight Tyler. The project is part of a larger project to conserve 35 significant objects in 10 museums across New York State.
The lecture will take place between 2 and 3 pm with a reception to follow until 4:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.
Read more about the history of wine in New York State.
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