Wagner Vineyards takes 'Winery of the Year' award

FINGER LAKES--The results of the 34th annual New York Wine Classic were announced last week and included in the top winners was Wagner Vineyards on Seneca Lake who won Winery of the Year. There were additional "best of" category and class awards presented to wineries around the state. The Wine Classic is open to the more than 458 wineries and included 883 entries from 113 wineries. A total of 31 Double Gold, 56 Gold, 287 Silver, and 320 Bronze medals were awarded by a panel of more than 20 expert judges.
"We are extremely proud to receive the honor of Winery of the Year at this year's New York Wine Classic," said Wagner Vineyards owner John Wagner. "Our team has worked tirelessly to strive for excellence for 40 years now - what a way to cap off a season of celebration at Wagner Vineyards."
The "Winery of the Year" award is presented to the winery with the best overall showing based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries. Wagner's 2017 Dry Riesling, Estate Grown, won best white wine, best dry Riesling and best overall Riesling.
This year, the Governor's Cup was presented to Six Mile Creek Vineyard from Ithaca.
"The winners of the New York Wine Classic represent the very best of New York's wineries and the innovation and high-quality production that goes into making these award-winning wines cannot be understated," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. "New York is proud to support these wineries and grape growers for their accomplishments, and they are a critical component of our tourism and agricultural industries in New York."
Additional winners from the competition include:
"Best of Category" winners:
Best Sparkling Wine - Harbes Vineyard, Blanc de Blancs; Best White Wine - Wagner Vineyards, 2017 Dry Riesling, Estate Grown; Best Rosé Wine - Coffee Pot Cellars, 2018 Rosé; Best Red Wine - Six Mile Creek Vineyard, 2016 Cabernet Franc and Best Dessert Wine - Vineyard View Winery, 2017 Ice Wine.
"Best of Class" awards go to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least seven wines:
Best Oaked Chardonnay - Lieb Cellars, 2018 Chardonnay; Best Unoaked Chardonnay - Toro Run Winery, 2018 Chardonnay, Estate Grown; Best Overall Chardonnay - Lieb Cellars, 2018 Chardonnay; Best Gewürztraminer - Sheldrake Point Winery, 2017 Gewürztraminer, Estate Grown; Best Dry Riesling - Wagner Vineyards, 2017 Dry Riesling, Estate Grown; Best Medium Dry Riesling - Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, 2015 Riesling; Best Medium Sweet Riesling - Anthony Road Wine Company, 2015 Riesling; Best Overall Riesling - Wagner Vineyards, 2017 Dry Riesling, Estate Grown; Best Pinot Gris - The Lenz Winery, 2015 Pinot Gris; Best Sauvignon Blanc - Hosmer Winery, 2018 Sauvignon Blanc; Best Other Hybrid White Varietal - Deer Run Winery, Aromella; Best Other Native White Varietal - Lakewood Vineyards, 2018 Niagara; Best Rosé - Coffee Pot Cellars, 2018 Rosé; Best Cabernet Sauvignon - The Lenz Winery, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon; Best Merlot - Clovis Point, 2015 Vintners Select Merlot; Best Cabernet Franc - Six Mile Creek Vineyard, 2016 Cabernet Franc; Best Marquette - Victory View Vineyard, 2015 Independence; Best Syrah - Harbes Vineyard, 2015 Syrah; Best Red Vinifera Blend - Osprey's Dominion Vineyards, 2013 Flight Meritage, Estate Grown; Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal - Clovis Point, 2017 Petit Verdot; Best Other Red Hybrid Varietal - Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms, 2018 Quaker Red Rougeon; Best Red Blend (Non-Vinifera) - Montezuma Winery, NV Canvasback Red; Best Late Harvest - Colloca Estate Winery, 2017 Dolce Riesling Lake Effect Vineyard; Best Ice Wine - Vineyard View Winery, 2017 Ice Wine; Best Traditional Method Sparkling - Harbes Vineyard, Blanc de Blancs; Best Forced Carbonation Method Sparkling - Tug Hill Vineyards, 2018 Bubbly Blush; Best Fortified Wine - Anyela's Vineyards, 2009 Final Approach and Best Fruit Wine - Johnson Estate Winery LLC, Passionate Peach.
New York Wine Classic winners will be featured Aug. 28 and 31 at the Great New York State Fair in Syracuse and at regional events and wine dinners through the rest of the year.