About Us

Bloomer Creek Vineyard began 30 years ago as a daydream when Kim, then a nineteen year old Cornell Student, became enthralled with his part-time vineyard work on the west shore of Cayuga Lake. The outdoor work suited him, especially when the "fruit" of his labor became barrels of wine to share with friends.

A trip to the mountains of Northern Italy, where wine plays an integral part of everyday life, confirmed for Kim his desire to make winegrowing and winemaking his life work. After studying winemaking at the State University at Fresno, California, Kim returned to the Finger Lakes and purchased a 50 acre farm where he slowly began to plant European grape varieties. In the following years, Kim managed vineyards for many of the Cayuga Lake wineries. In 1998, while managing the vineyards for Sheldrake Point Winery, Kim purchased the former Bond's fruit stand on the east shore of Seneca Lake, with the long range goal of opening a winery of his own. One year later, Kim and his wife (artist Debra Bermingham), along with chef Scott Signori from the Sheldrake Point Café, founded Bloomer Creek Vineyard and the Stonecat Café in the converted fruit stand. Five years later, Kim and Debra decided to concentrate their full attention on the production of fine wines and began construction of their new wine cellar and tasting room at the south end of the Seneca Lake property. Their new building, modeled after a Victorian era carriage house, showcases Kim's additional talents as a builder.

With the opening of this new tasting room, Kim has finally turned his daydream into a reality. For the past 30 years, Kim has been a part of the long tradition of wine as a celebration of life. Now, at Bloomer Creek Vineyard, it is Kim's hope to share this joy - to share the sunshine that is a part of every harvest and the promise of every spring.

Kim Engle:
Winegrower & Vintner

A long time grape grower in the Finger Lakes, Kim brings his expertise in the vineyard as well as the cellar to Bloomer Creek. From the soil to the vine and finally to the bottle, he carefully oversees all aspects of production. It is his skill and quiet patience that brings world class wines to your glass.

Debra Bermingham: Artist

Exhibiting at the DC Moore Gallery (724 5th Avenue in New York City), Debra's works are included in the collections of major museums such as the Art Institute in Chicago and the Brooklyn Museum. She has taught at Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Hobart and William Smith. Her paintings included in recent group shows:
"Trees" D. C. Moore Gallery, NYC 2009
"House" Westport Art Center, Westport,CT 2009
"Spring 2009" Argazzi Art, Lakeville CT 2009
A current exhibition entitled OBLIQUE/ACUTE on view at the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, Brattleboro,VT March 28-July 11/2010 includes four of Debra's recent paintings, which can be viewed on the exhibition website. Her work is mentioned in the Yankee Magazine blog entitled, "Oblique and Acute Angles of Vision" by Edgar Allen Beem and can be seen in the Yankee Magazine blog.

Hamilton: Winery Dog

Hamilton, our noble hound, appeared in Winery Dogs of the Finger Lakes, a beautiful full-color coffee-table book featuring "Winery Dogs" published in 2009. He (Hamilton) commented that it was fortunate his "stylist" had a pocketful of beef jerky to help at the photo session as he is rather camera shy.