Torrey Ridge earns 'Winery of the Year'

PENN YAN--Paul Curcillo's father and grandfather were especially proud last week.
Curcillo is a third-generation winemaker and co-owner of CK Cellars/Torrey Ridge Winery with his wife Stephanie King.
Curcillo received the news Wednesday, Aug. 9 that Torrey Ridge was named "Winery of Year" along with Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery from Long Island. Buttonwood Grove Winery from the Finger Lakes won the Governor's Cup Award in the competition.
This is only Curcillo's second-year of owning the winery. Curcillo said, "We are very pleased to join the great winemakers of the Finger Lakes region and we look forward to serving award-winning wines to our many customers."
Torrey Ridge's Catawba earned "Best of Category" honors for the 'Best Blush or Rose Wine." Curcillo described his wine by saying, "Our Catawba is a soft, semi-sweet wine with a smooth after-taste."
The 2017 "Best of Category" Winners:
Best Sparkling Wine--Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery 2014 Topaz Imperial, Méthode Champenoise
Best White Wine--Buttonwood Grove Winery 2016 Riesling
Best Blush or Rosé Wine--CK Cellars/Torrey Ridge Winery Catawba
Best Red Wine--3 Brothers Wineries & Estates 2016 Zweigelt/Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Dessert Wine--Goose Watch Winery Classic Cream Sherry
A complete list of winners for the 2017 competition can be found at http://www.wineindustryadvisor.com/2017/08/09/results-new-york-wine-food-classic.
Known as "The Oscars" of New York wine competitions, the Classic is organized by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and is open to the more than 420 New York wineries across the state. This year's competition included 958 individual entries: 915 New York wines, 27 hard ciders and 16 craft spirits from Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, and Western New York and other regions.
The entries are awarded based on blind tastings by 21 expert judges­­ from across the country. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers and wine educators. Judging panels determined the initial awards and top-scoring wines were then evaluated by all 21 judges for the Best of Category awards and the Governor's Cup.