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Hope Springs Eternal

Story and photo by Kathleen Walls

Esperanza Mansion

For those who know a smattering or more of Spanish, Esperanza means hope. And hope was exactly what this rundown mansion needed in 2002 when Lisa and David Wegman bought it. The magnificent structure had deteriorated to the point where kids used it as a party spot at night. Rats and other vermin inhabited it when the kids weren't breaking beer bottles and putting out cigarettes on its hardwood floors. Rain poured into it through a leaky roof. Its destiny appeared to be a wreaking ball. But through the desolation, the Wegmans saw a vision of its former glory.

Esperanza's bedrooms are furnished with period furnishings

It was built by John Nicholas Rose in 1838. John was the son of Robert and Jane Rose who had come to Penn-Yan from Virginia in 1804. Perhaps it was the stately homes of Virginia that inspired John to build this classic Greek Revival home on the banks of Lake Keuka. After his death in 1873, the large home was used for many things. It was a home to many distinguished families, a vineyard, a farm, a link in the Underground Railroad, The Yates County Poorhouse, and Chateau Esperanza Winery before it degenerated into a nightly playground for unruly teens.

Today, it has been restored to its former glory and once more proudly offers guests the best view in the area of Keuka Lake from its balcony as a bed and breakfast. But it is so much more than the average b and b.

It now boasts a full service fine food restaurant, state-of-the-art banquet facility, 9 mansion guestrooms as well as the 21 rooms at the Inn at Esperanza, and the latest addition, The Esperanza Rose, a 65 foot cruise ship that offers dining and even overnight trips, that make Esperanza Mansion a full service destination resort.

Esperanza offers you a lot of dining choices. The Hope Dining Room, the Rose Parlour and the Library all restored to their original splendor provide more formal dining. The Grill Room is a rustic glass encased environment perfect for viewing Lake Keuka with a blazing fire place on cool days and the outdoor patio offers an unrestricted of the lake for warmer days. All the dining rooms have one thing in common, Executive Chef Carlo Simon Peretti. Chef Carlos draws on his international skills to offer diners an exciting meal no matter where you chose to dine at Experanza.

Esperanza Mansion is on the National Register of Historic Places. Like many historic homes, it has its own resident ghosts. No one is sure who it is but many employees as well as Lisa have seen a couple dressed in period clothing sitting at a table in one of the dining rooms. Also in the basement office, there is an outline of a woman on the wall that cannot be painted over. Legend is if the spirit likes you the outline will become green when you stand near it. I guess she liked me as it did turn green. I certainly liked Esperanza.

The Esperanza Mansion
3456 Route 54A
Bluff Point, NY 14478
1-866-927-4400
email: info@esperanzamansion.com
www.esperanzamansion.com