Backed by Expertise
About 20 Deep Winery
Where Roots Run Deep
We started 20 Deep because we wanted to do more than make wine—we wanted to create a place where our community could gather, celebrate, and connect. A space where locals feel proud to bring out-of-town guests. Where friends become family over a shared bottle. Where wine isn’t intimidating, it’s inviting.
When we first told people about our plans to start a winery, we’d say we were “putting our roots down.” It was both literal and figurative. Grapevines, when fully established, send their roots 20 feet deep into the ground—anchoring themselves, drawing sustenance, committing to the land. That’s what we wanted to do here in Mendon. Plant roots. Build something lasting. Go all in.
Hence the name: 20 Deep.
From Field to Glass: The Journey
In 2019, we planted our first vines on six acres of sandy Mendon soil. There was no winery, no tasting room—just an open field and a vision. We did everything ourselves: selecting rootstocks and clones, prepping and grading the soil, building the barns, sourcing equipment, constructing the tasting room. Every decision, every nail, every vine was a labor of love.
Then reality hit. Hard.
COVID shut down the world right in the middle of our build. Supply chains froze. Timelines evaporated. We kept going.
Then, in our second year, a devastating frost swept through and killed 80% of our vines. For a year and a half, we had no wine to serve. We had to replant, rebuild, and trust the process.
But here’s the thing about roots: they grow back stronger.
By 2021, we bottled our first vintage. In 2022, we opened our tasting room doors. And since then, we’ve been doing what we set out to do—welcoming people in, pouring great wine, and celebrating the community that believed in us from day one.
Why Gamay? Why Here?
Most people think the Finger Lakes can’t make a great red wine. That’s not quite true. What the Finger Lakes can’t make is a high-alcohol, full-bodied California-style red. But we didn’t want to make that wine anyway.
We chose Gamay Noir because it’s the perfect fit for our region and our philosophy. It’s medium-bodied, fruit-forward, and versatile enough to make a range of wines—from bright and juicy to oak-aged and structured. It has tannin and complexity without being heavy or overwhelming.
Think of it like a session IPA versus a double IPA. Approachable, balanced, and something you actually want to drink more than one glass of. Gamay gives us the ability to make red wines that welcome a wider range of people to the table—and that’s exactly what we want.
We’re not just growing Gamay. We’re pioneering it in the Finger Lakes. We believe this grape has serious potential here, and we’re committed to being the winery that brings it to the forefront.
The Land & The Team
Our vineyard sits on six acres in Mendon, New York, where sandy soil and a cool climate create ideal conditions for our estate-grown grapes. Everything you taste in our tasting room comes from this ground—wines we’ve grown, tended, and crafted ourselves.
We’re a small team. Really small. Matt handles winemaking and vineyard management. The other half of the operation—business, marketing, and what Matt lovingly calls “owner-ing”—falls to his partner. But honestly? We work hand-in-hand on almost everything. When you’re building something from scratch, there’s no such thing as “that’s not my job.”
What we’re most proud of isn’t the vineyard or the building or even the wine (though we’re pretty proud of that too). It’s the people. The welcoming, supportive community that’s surrounded us from day one—vendors, architects, friends, family, Founding Club members who believed in us before we even had wine to pour. The people who visit, buy our wine, and make this place come alive.
That’s what 20 Deep is really about.
What to Expect When You Visit
We call ourselves a winery with brewery vibes. What does that mean? It means you can show up in jeans and a t-shirt. It means we care more about the people you’re with than memorizing tasting notes. It means you’re always welcome here—whether you’re a wine expert or have no idea what you like yet.
Our space is designed for gathering. For lingering. For celebrating the moments that matter—and the ones that don’t matter at all, except that you’re together.
We make high-quality wines, but we pour them without pretension. We’ll teach you about wine if you want to learn, but we’ll never make you feel like you should already know. And if you just want to sit on the patio with a glass of Gamay and enjoy the afternoon? Even better.
Wine is meant to bring people together. That’s what we do here.
Come See Us
Whether you’re a local looking for your new favorite spot or visiting the Finger Lakes for the first time, we’d love to welcome you to 20 Deep.
Come taste what happens when passion, resilience, and a little bit of stubbornness come together in a glass.
20 Deep Winery
187 Mendon Ionia Rd, Honeoye Falls, NY
April 2018
20 Deep Vineyard Unveiled
Our Vineyard During the first three years (2019-2021) 20 Deep planted, established, and mature its vineyard. The vineyard has a 15-acre capacity, which can yield 3,650 cases
May 2019
Planting the Vineyard
Establishing the Vineyard The 20 Deep Vineyard is planted with different varietals, clones, and rootstocks to aid in the production of a diverse product line of small batch
Our Team
The business culture at 20 Deep embraces continuous improvement, failure is accepted as part of learning, people are empowered to make decisions, and we seek diversity on our team. We champion smart people who have different views and include them in problem solving. We seek outside advisors who are experienced and can add value.
David Gascon
Founder & CEO
Matthew Cassavaugh
Founder & Head Winemaker