Watkins Glen, New York, August 10 – Billsboro Winery 2013 Syrah from Finger Lakes Region won the coveted “Governor’s Cup” trophy at the 2016 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 9 & 10 at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, NY. The “Winery of the Year” award went to Keuka Spring Vineyards, also from the Finger Lakes region.
The Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize of all 951 entries in the Classic, known as “The Oscars” of New York wine. 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.
“We applaud the winners in a very competitive event, as well as the strong support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and his administration for the New York wine industry” said Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which sponsors the Classic.
This year’s competition included 893 New York wines, 20 Hard Ciders and 38 Craft Spirits from several regions across New York State including Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie. The Billsboro Winery 2013 Syrah was also voted Best Red Wine and Best Syrah on its way to the ultimate award. Keuka Spring Vineyards won Best White Wine and Best Overall Riesling on its way to the Winery of the Year award, along with several Best of Class awards and other top medals.
A “Specialty Wine Champion” award recognizes consistent quality among the increasing number of wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey. The 2016 winner was Coyote Moon Vineyards Razzle Dazzle.
A “Best Limited Production Wine” award, for wines produced with fewer than 100 cases, went to Finger Lakes Community College Viticulture & Wine Tech Corp 2015 Gather, Dry Riesling.
There are also awards for Best Spirit and Best Cider. The Best Spirit honor went to Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Bourbon Whisky while the Best Cider was Brooklyn Cider House Half Sour.
The awards were based on blind tastings by 22 expert judges-5 from California, 9 from New York, 7 from other states, and 1 from London. Judges included prominent wine writers, restaurateurs, retailers, and wine educators. Judging panels determined the initial awards, with top-scoring wines evaluated by all 22 judges for Best of Category and Governor’s Cup awards.
Celebrating its 31st year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 406 New York wineries from all regions. In 2016, a total of 71 Double Gold, 106 Gold, 386 Silver, and 250 Bronze medals were awarded. In addition, “Best of Category” and “Best of Class” designations were awarded to wines rated as the finest in various areas. Double Gold medals require unanimity among a panel’s judges that a wine deserves a Gold medal, whereas Gold medals require a majority vote.
The “Best of Category” awards, all eligible for the Governor’s Cup, went to:
Best Sparkling Wine: Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2013 Brut, Methode Champenoise
Best White Wine: Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Gewürztraminer
Best Blush or Rosé Wine: 21 Brix Winery Ellatawba
Best Red Wine: Billsboro Winery 2013 Syrah
Best Dessert Wine: Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2015 Descencia Botrytis Riesling/Chardonnay
Best of Class awards go to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least 7 wines. The “Best of Class” awards went to:
Best Oaked Chardonnay: Whitecliff Vineyard 2014 Reserve Chardonnay
Best Unoaked Chardonnay: Lieb Cellars 2015 Bridge Lane Chardonnay
Best Gewürztraminer: Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Gewürztraminer
Best Dry Riesling: Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Humphreys Vineyard Riesling, Single Vineyard Series
Best Medium Dry Riesling: Dr. Konstantin Frank 2015 Riesling, Semi-Dry
Best Medium Sweet Riesling: Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Semi Sweet Riesling
Best Sweet Riesling: Wagner Vineyards 2013 Riesling Select, Estate Grown & Bottled
Best Overall Riesling: Keuka Spring Vineyards 2015 Semi Sweet Riesling
Best Pinot Grigio: Duck Walk Vineyards 2015 Pinot Grigio
Best Other Vinifera White Varietal: Palmer Vineyards 2015 Albarino
Best Vinifera White Blend: Bedell Cellars 2015 Taste White
Best Vinifera/Hybrid White Blend: Keuka Spring Vineyards Celebrate
Best Cayuga: Swedish Hill Winery 2015 Cayuga White
Best Seyval: Benmarl Winery 2015 Seyval Blanc
Best Traminette: Seneca Shore Wine Cellars Traminette, Estate Bottled, DeMarco Vineyards
Best Vidal: J.R. Dill Winery 2015 Vidal Blanc
Best Cold Climate White Varietal: Coyote Moon Vineyards Brianna
Best Hybrid White: Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard White Stag
Best Niagara: Americana Vineyards Crystal Lake
Best Catawba: 21 Brix Winery Ellatawba
Best Native Varietal: Coyote Moon Vineyards Fire Boat Red
Best Vinifera Rosé: Wagner Vineyards 2015 Rosé of Cabernet Franc
Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
Best Merlot: Clovis Point Vineyard & Winery 2013 Vintner’s Select Merlot
Best Pinot Noir: Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2014 Pinot Noir
Best Cabernet Franc: Kontokosta Winery 2013 Cabernet Franc
Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal: Influence Wines 2015 Malbec
Best Syrah: Billsboro Winery 2013 Syrah
Best Vinifera Red Blend: Harbes Vineyard 2014 Red Blend, Proprietor’s Reserve
Best Cold Climate Red Varietal: Tug Hill Vineyards White Out, Estate
Best Fruit Wine: Coyote Moon Vineyards Razzle Dazzle
Best Cider: Brooklyn Cider House Half Sour
Best Spirit: Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Bourbon Whisky
Best Port: Goose Watch Winery 2015 Finale White Port
Best Late Harvest: Wolffer Estate Vineyard 2015 Descencia Botrytis Riesling/Chardonnay
Best Ice Wine: Sheldrake Point Winery 2014 Riesling Ice Wine, Wild Ferment, Estate Bottled
Best Vinifera Sparkling White: Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2013 Brut, Methode Champenoise
Best Vinifera Sparkling Pink: Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2013 Topaz Imperial, Methode Champenoise
Best Hybrid Sparkling White: Swedish Hill Winery Blanc de Blancs
Complete results of the 2016 Classic will also soon be posted under “Awards and Accolades” at www.newyorkwines.org, which also includes Gold medal New York wines from other major competitions.
