A past rich with history
John Nicholas Rose completed the construction of Esperanza Mansion in 1838. He was the son of Robert and Jane Rose who had journeyed to the Finger Lakes region from their plantation in Stafford County, Virginia in 1804. Esperanza Mansion is a distinguished example of Greek Revival residential architecture, a style popular in the United States from 1820 to 1850. The house's rectangular form, balanced proportions and classical details are firmly rooted in the Greek Revival tradition. At the time it was built, Penn Yan was a very small rural village. It was in this setting that John Rose succeeded in farming to become one of the areas wealthiest citizens. He died at the Esperanza Mansion in 1873. Esperanza is a National Registered Historic Landmark.

Over the years Esperanza has served as a vineyard, 1000-acre farm, distinguished home to several families, a link in the Underground Railroad, The Yates County Poorhouse, and Chateau Esperanza Winery.

Esperanza Mansion was purchased in 2002 by area developer David Wegman and his wife, Lisa. The Wegman family has worked to restore and renovate Esperanza to its 19th century splendor. In addition to its original Greek Revival structure, a full service fine food restaurant, state-of-the-art banquet facility, 9 mansion guestrooms and the 21 rooms at the Inn at Esperanza have been incorporated to make Esperanza Mansion a full service destination resort. Esperanza Mansion not only features a first rate culinary, lodging and event hosting experience, but perhaps the areas most spectacular long view of Keuka Lake, which many have likened to views of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.