The results are in and we’re excited to report the big winners from the 2016 New York Wine & Food Classic!
Billsboro Winery’s 2013 Syrah won the Governor’s Cup at the 2016 NYWFC.
The winner of the 2016 New York Wine & Food Classic’s top prize, the Governor’s Cup, is Billsboro Winery Syrah 2013. This fine wine is also the recipient of Best Red Wine, Best Syrah, and a Double Gold Medal. An excellent representation of what a great New York wine can be, this rich and fruity Syrah spent 10 months in American and Hungarian oak barrels where it underwent malolactic fermentation, giving it a soft creaminess. It was filtered then blended with about 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Congratulations to Billsboro Winery, not only for their big win last week, but also for consistently making outstanding wines and bringing pride to the Finger Lakes wine region and indeed the New York State wine industry as a whole.
Keuka Spring Vineyards, named Winery of the Year and recipient of multiple Best in Class Awards at the 2016 NYWFC.
Keuka Spring Vineyards Gewürztraminer 2015 took home Best White Wine, Best Gewürztraminer, and a Double Gold. Keuka Spring Vineyards earned several other honors including their 2015 Semi-Sweet Riesling which won Best Overall Riesling, Best Medium Sweet Riesling, and a Double Gold Medal. Celebrate won Best Vinifera/Hybrid White Blend and a Double Gold Medal. By sweeping several categories, it’s no wonder Keuka Spring Vineyards was named Winery of the Year at the competition.
In addition to multiple Gold Medals and Double Golds, Wagner’s first Rosé since the 1980s won Best Vinifera Rosé at the 2016 NYWFC.
Wagner Vineyards Rosé of Cabernet Franc 2015, its first dry Rosé in decades, captured the Best Vinifera Rosé category as well as a Double Gold Medal. Nothing quite demonstrates winemaking excellence like taking a Best in Class award on a wine’s first release. But they didn’t stop there; Wagner Vineyards also attained Gold Medals for their Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 and Dry Riesling 2015, and their Riesling Select 2013 won Best Sweet Riesling and a Double Gold Medal.
Other notable Best in Class winners, all of which earned Double Gold Medals, include the following:
Best Spirit: Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Bourbon Whiskey
Best Hybrid Sparkling White: Swedish Hill Winery Blanc de Blancs
Best Hybrid White: Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard White Stag
Best Niagara: Americana Vineyards Crystal Lake
Best Port: Goose Watch Winery Finale White Port
Best Medium Dry Riesling: Dr. Konstantin Frank Frank Semi-Dry Riesling 2015
Best Fruit Wine: Coyote Moon Vineyards Razzle Dazzle (Also Won Specialty Wine Champion)
The following products each won a Double Gold Medal:
Black Button Distilling Bourbon Cream
21 Brix Winery Thirsty Elephant
Atwater Estate Vineyards Dry Rosé of Cabernet Franc 2015
Fox Run Vineyards Dry Riesling 2014
Heron Hill Winery Pinot Blanc Reserve 2015
Keuka Lake Vineyards Estate Dry Riesling 2014
Knapp Winery Dry Riesling 2015
Dr. Konstantin Frank Grüner Veltliner 2015
These fine products each took home a Gold Medal:
Five & 20 Small Batch Barrel Rye Whiskey
Americana Vineyards Baco Noir
Casa Larga Vineyard Dry Rosé 2015
Fulkerson Winery Diamond 2015
Goose Watch Wine Company Classic Cream Sherry
Goose Watch Wine Company Traminette 2015
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard Red Cat
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard White Cat
Heron Hill Winery Semi-Sweet Riesling 2014
Kaneb Orchards Cranberry Crisp Cider
Keuka Lake Vineyards Evergreen Lek Dry Riesling 2014
Raymor Estate Cellars Sunburst Riesling
Sheldrake Point Dry Rosé 2015
Swedish Hill Winery Riesling Cuvee
Thirsty Owl Wine Company Dry Riesling 2015
Congratulations to Billsboro, and all entries, for making New York proud!
*Note: This is not a full list of all winners from the 2016 New York Wine & Food Classic. We’ve only listed items currently in stock at Ryan’s Wine & Spirits*
