Area wineries win top state awards

Aug 14, 2018 at 08:55 pm by Observer-Review


Area wineries win top state awards ADVERTISEMENT

Area wineries win top state awards

WATKINS GLEN--Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the winners of the 33rd annual New York Wine Classic Wednesday, Aug. 8. Two local wineries took the two top awards.
Keuka Spring Vineyards in Penn Yan won the Governor's Cup, for their 2017 Gewürztraminer and Dr. Konstantin Frank winery was named "Winery of the Year."
Cuomo said, "The annual New York Wine Classic celebrates and recognizes the best of the best of our craft beverage industry, and I congratulate the winners and encourage those interested to try these world-class products for themselves."
Known as "The Oscars" of New York wine competitions, the Classic is organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and is open to the more than 440 New York wineries across the state. This year's competition included 924 individual entries: 853 New York wines and 71 hard ciders from across the State.
Keuka Spring Vineyards owner Len Wiltberger said, "We are absolutely thrilled and honored to receive this award. At Keuka Spring, we have always believed in Gewürztraminer as a premier grape for this region. It is perfectly adapted to this climate and makes a style of wine that is truly unique to the Finger Lakes. That's why we make three different Gewürztraminers, one being a regional blend and two that showcase vineyard sites that demonstrate special qualities. Gewürztraminer is a big part of what we do and who we are, and we hope this award shines a light on the fact that it needs to be central to the discussion of what New York does best."
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery President Fred Frank said, "We're very excited to receive the 'Winery of the Year' award from the New York Wine Classic. We feel it's a testament to the team here at Dr. Konstantin Frank and the great range of quality wines we produce. It's a wonderful honor!"
A total of 40 Double Gold, 49 Gold, 324 Silver, and 334 Bronze medals were awarded.
New this year, in addition to the highest award presented, the Governor's Cider Cup, there were three categories for cider judging this year: Best Modern Cider, Best Specialty Cider, and Best Heritage Cider. Angry Orchard's "Baldwin SVC 2015" won Best Modern Cider; Three Brothers Wineries & Estates "Cane Mutiny, Red Apple Bombshell" won Best Specialty Cider; and Kite & String's "Pioneer Pippin" was awarded Best Heritage Cider on the way to ultimately winning the 2018 Governor's Cider Cup.
The Governor also announced the following "Best of Category" and "Best of Class" winners for wine:
"Best of Category" winners:
Best Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery, 2008 Brut Seduction Méthode Champenoise
Best White Wine
Keuka Spring Vineyards, 2017 Gewürztraminer
Best Pink Wine
Sheldrake Point, 2017 Dry Rosé
Best Red Wine
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, 2016 Blaufränkisch
Best Dessert Wine
Brotherhood Winery, 2017 Late Harvest Riesling
"Best of Class" awards go to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least seven wines:
Best Oaked Chardonnay
Macari Vineyards, 2015 Chardonnay Reserve
Best Unoaked Chardonnay
Osmote Wines, 2017 Cayuga Lake Chardonnay
Best Overall Chardonnay
Osmote Wines, 2017 Cayuga Lake Chardonnay
Best Gewürztraminer
Keuka Spring Vineyards, 2017 Gewürztraminer
Best Dry Riesling
Heron Hill Winery, 2016 Riesling Reserve
Best Medium Dry Riesling
Hosmer Winery, 2016 Limited Release Riesling
Best Medium Sweet Riesling
Boundary Breaks, 2017 Riesling Reserve #198
Best Sweet Riesling
Fox Run Vineyards, 2016 Lot 11 Lake Dana Riesling
Best Overall Riesling
Hosmer Winery, 2016 Limited Release Riesling
Best Pinot Gris
Lakewood Vineyards, 2017 Pinot Gris
Best Grüner Veltliner
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, 2014 Grüner Veltliner
Best Vinifera White Blend
Atwater Estate Vineyards, 2016 Riewurz
Best Traminette
Thirsty Owl Wine Company, 2016 Traminette
Best Rosé
Sheldrake Point Winery, 2017 Dry Rosé
Best Blush
Owera Vineyards, 2017 Cazenovia Blush
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Brotherhood Winery, 2015 New York Icon Cabernet Sauvignon, Single Vineyard
Best Merlot
Brotherhood Winery, 2014 New York Icon Merlot, Single Vineyard
Best Pinot Noir
Winery of Ellicottville, 2016 Pinot Noir
Best Cabernet Franc
Heron Hill Winery, 2016 Classic Cabernet Franc
Best Lemberger/Blaufränkisch
Dr. Konstantin Frank, 2016 Blaufränkisch
Best Syrah
Harbes Vineyard, 2014 Syrah
Best Red Vinifera Blend
Harbes Vineyard, 2014 Red Blend, Proprietor's Reserve
Best Hybrid Red Varietal
Vineyard View Winery, 2016 Marquette
Best Late Harvest
Brotherhood Winery, 2017 Late Harvest Riesling
Best Ice Wine
Hunt Country Vineyards, 2016 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Best Vinifera Sparkling White
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery, 2008 Brut Seduction Méthode Champenoise"
Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, "Our wineries and cideries are big business for New York State, supporting jobs, encouraging tourism and utilizing produce grown by our farmers. The New York Wine Classic allows us to showcase the finest that our state has to offer, and I congratulate all of this year's winners."

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