NEW YORK (WETM) — New York awarded “Best of Class” to wineries across the state, with some locals earning top recognition. State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced and congratulated the winners of the 2021 New York Wine Classic on Thursday.

Commissioner Ball said, “New York State’s winemakers continue to set themselves apart and produce some of the very best wines in the world.”

Wineries from the Capital Region, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Western New York, Long Island, and New York City were honored in 25 categories. Judging lasted from November 1 until February 15, and included 607 entries from 96 wineries from across the state. A total of 1 Platinum, 138 Gold, 355 Silver, and 104 Bronze medals were awarded. For the first time ever, the New York Wine and Grape Foundation (NYWGF), which hosts the distinguished competition, partnered with the Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) to judge.

The “Best of Class” winners are:

  • Best Cabernet Franc – Lamoreaux Landing 2019 T23 Unoaked, Cabernet Franc, Finger Lakes
  • Best Ice Wine (frozen on the vine) – Boundary Breaks 2019 Ice Wine, Riesling, Finger Lakes
  • Best Lemberger/Blaufränkisch – Adirondack Winery 2018 Stargazer, Lemberger, Capital Region
  • Best Merlot – Goose Watch 2015 Merlot, Finger Lakes
  • Best Pétillant Naturel (Pét-Nat) – Fossenvue Winery 2018 Eighteen Forty-Eight Pétillant Naturel, Diamond, Finger Lakes
  • Best Riesling (Medium Dry) – Rooftop Reds 2017 Riesling, New York City
  • Best Riesling (Medium Sweet) – Wagner Vineyards 2019 Select, Riesling, Finger Lakes
  • Best Riesling (Sweet) – Penguin Bay 2019 Sweet, Riesling, Southern Tier
  • Best Cabernet Sauvignon – Brotherhood 2017 New York Premium Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon, Hudson Valley
  • Best Chardonnay (Oaked) – Millbrook 2019 Proprietor’s Special Reserve, Chardonnay, Hudson Valley
  • Best Force Carbonation/Transfer Method – Stony Lonesome 2019 Sec, Chardonnay, Finger Lakes
  • Best Gewurztraminer – Pindar Vineyards 2019 Dr. Dan’s Signature Collection, Gewurztraminer, Long Island
  • Best Gruner Veltliner – Dr. Konstantin Frank 2019 Gruner Veltliner, Southern Tier
  • Best Other Red Hybrid Varietal – Northern Cross Vineyard 2018 Estate, Frontenac, Capital Region
  • Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal – Dr. Konstantin Frank 2018 Saperavi, Southern Tier
  • Best Pinot Gris – Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2019 Pinot Gris, Finger Lakes
  • Best Pinot Noir – McCall Wines 2014 Reserve Corchaug Estate, Pinot Noir, Long Island
  • Best Red Blend (Vinifera & Non-Vinifera) – Atwater 2019 Stone Bridge Red Blend, Southern Tier
  • Best Red Blend (Vinifera) – Paumanok 2015 Assemblage Red Blend, Long Island
  • Best Riesling (Dry) – Anthony Road 2019 Dry, Riesling, Finger Lakes
  • Best Rosé (0 to 2% RS) – Ryan William Vineyard 2019 Rosé, Pinot Noir, Southern Tier
  • Best Sauvignon Blanc – Paumanok 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Long Island
  • Best Traditional Method – Paumanok 2016 Blanc De Blancs, Chardonnay, Long Island
  • Best Traminette – Johnson Estate 2018 Estate Grown, Traminette, Western New York
  • Best White Blend (Vinifera) – Pindar Vineyards 2019 Dr. Dan’s Signature Collection White Blend, Long Island

“Best of Category” winners, as well as the prestigious Governor’s Cup and Winery of the Year awards, will be announced live online on March 18 via Zoom and the NYWGF’s Facebook page. The Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize in the New York Wine Classic. 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.

The New York Wine Classic is open to all wineries in the state in categories including vinifera wines, hybrid wines, and wines made from labrusca grapes, other fruits, and honey. Winners will be featured at more virtual events later this year. More information can be found online.