Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today highlighted the 2014 Governor’s Cup Finger Lakes Wine and Craft Beverage Tour, which was organized to promote New York State’s beverage industry and boost tourism to the State’s growing number of wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries in Upstate New York. The Tour, which was attended by Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy, included stops at Finger Lakes Distilling, Damiani Wine Cellars and Chateau Lafayette Reneau, and provided State and local leaders, wine industry professionals, restaurateurs and tourism officials a first-hand look at how New York spirits and wines are produced.
“New York is home to some of the world’s finest wines, beers, spirits and ciders, an industry that supports thousands of jobs in all corners of this state and is an important partner to our agricultural and tourism sectors,” Governor Cuomo said. “I’m proud of this state’s efforts to promote and support New York’s beverage industry, which has only grown stronger, creating new jobs and stimulating the economy. Also, I congratulate today’s Governor’s Cup winner, as the other awardees for their victories in this increasingly competitive contest.”
“The wine and craft beverages produced in New York State are some of the best in the world, and this industry has seen unparalleled growth over the past several years with Governor Cuomo’s support,” Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy said. “Beverage producers are creating jobs, stimulating the economy and expanding tourism as New York’s wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries continue to become world-renowned destinations. I applaud all of today’s winners, who have created outstanding wines and craft beverages, all of which the Finger Lakes should be incredibly proud of.”
At the Governor’s Cup Competition awards ceremony, which followed the Tour, Lieutenant Governor Duffy presented the 2014 Governor’s Cup to Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes. The Cup is a large silver chalice, recognizing the “Best of Show” or top prize from 863 entries in the annual New York Wine & Food Classic wine competition, organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. In addition, Macari Vineyards & Winery from Long Island won the “Winery of the Year” award.
Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, said, “The New York Wine & Food Classic is known as 'The Oscars' of New York wine, and the Governor's Cup Wine Tour just enhances the prestige. Governor Cuomo has transformed the business climate for our industry, and this is just one example. We join him and Lieutenant Governor Duffy in congratulating the winners.”
This year's competition included 835 wines, 20 hard ciders and eight spirits from across the State. The awards were based on blind tastings by 22 expert judges—four from California, 10 from New York, seven from other states and one from France. 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 the Best of Category and Governor's Cup awards.
Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has worked to further develop the beverage industry, which is a major driver of job creation and economic development in communities across the State. As a result of two successful Wine, Beer, Spirits & Cider Summits, New York State has implemented groundbreaking initiatives and enacted legislation to support and grow the beverage and agriculture industry, including a new marketing campaign to promote the industry and regional tourism, and a series of regulatory reforms that significantly reduce business costs for beverage producers.
New York is now home to more than 600 wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries. The State ranks third in the nation in wine and grape production, second in apple production, has the second most distilleries and is home to three of the 20 top-producing breweries in the United States.
New York’s beer, wine, spirits and cider industry continues to have a tremendous impact on the State’s economy. Between manufacturing, agriculture, distribution and retail, in 2012 the industry had a combined economic impact of more than $27 billion and employs more than 85,000 people. (National Beer Wholesalers Association; New York Wine & Grape Foundation) According to a recent study commissioned by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, the full economic impact of New York grapes, grape juice and wine in 2012 was $4.8 billion for New York State.
Since 2011, the number of farm wineries has risen by nearly 50% from 195 to 291 today. In addition, the number of farm wineries opening branch offices, authorized by legislation signed by Governor Cuomo in 2011, has increased by 97%, from 29 to 57, and the number of wineries has also increased, from 52 in 2011 to 76 today, for a total 46% growth.
The Governor also announced the following winners from the 2014 New York Wine & Food Classic competition:
Specialty Wine Champion (wines made from fruits other than grapes or honey)
King Ferry Winery 2013 Apple Mystique
Best Limited Production Wine (wines produced with fewer than 100 cases)
Sheldrake Point Winery 2013 Late Harvest Riesling
Best Spirit
Hidden Marsh Distillery Judd’s Wreckin Ball Corn Whiskey
Best Cider
Kaneb Orchards 2014 St. Lawrence Cider
The "Best of Category" awards, all eligible for the Governor's Cup, went to:
Best Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2005 Brut Seduction, Methode Champenoise
Best White Wine
Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, Estate Bottled
Best Rose Wine
Anthony Road Wine Company 2013 Rosé of Cabernet Franc
Best Red Wine
Macari Vineyards & Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc
Best Dessert Wine
Idol Ridge Winery 2014 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
The "Best of Class" awards, which are given to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least seven wines, went to:
Best Oaked Chardonnay
Coffee Pot Cellars 2013 Chardonnay
Best Unoaked Chardonnay
Martha Clara Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay
Best Overall Chardonnay
Martha Clara Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay
Best Gewürztraminer
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2013 Gewürztraminer, Estate Bottled
Best Dry Riesling
Wagner Vineyards 2012 Riesling Dry, Caywood East Vineyards Estate Grown
Best Medium Dry Riesling
Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, Estate Bottled
Best Medium Sweet Riesling
Barnstormer Winery 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling
Best Sweet Riesling
Wagner Vineyards 2012 Riesling Select, Estate Grown & Bottled
Best Overall Riesling
Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, Estate Bottled
Best Sauvignon Blanc
Hosmer Winery 2013 Sauvignon Blanc
Best Pinot Grigio
Swedish Hill Winery 2013 Pinot Grigio
Best Grüner Veltliner
Three Brothers Wineries & Estates 2013 Grüner Veltliner, Estate Reserve
Best Vinifera White
Seneca Hayes Wine Cellars 2012 Riesling-Gewürztraminer
Best Other White Vinifera Varietal
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery 2013 Tocai Friulano, Proprietor’s Special Reserve
Best Cayuga
Lucas Vineyards 2013 Cayuga White
Best Traminette
Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2013 Traminette
Best Vidal
Swedish Hill Winery 2013 Vidal Blanc
Best Vignoles
Anthony Road Wine Company 2013 Vignoles
Best Cold Climate White Varietal
Tug Hill Vineyards 2013 LaCrescent, Estate Grown
Best Hybrid White
Lucas Vineyards 2013 Harbor Moon
Best Niagara
Lucas Vineyards Miss Behavin
Best Vinifera Rose
Anthony Road Wine Company 2013 Rosé of Cabernet Franc
Best Catawba
Woodbury Vineyards Foxy Blush Renard
Best Native Blush
21 Brix Winery Thirsty Elephant
Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Merlot
Osprey’s Dominion Vineyard 2010 Reserve Merlot
Best Pinot Noir
Ventosa Vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir
Best Cabernet Franc
Macari Vineyards & Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc
Best Lemberger
Inspire Moore Winery & Vineyard 2012 Change
Best Syrah
Billsboro Winery 2012 Syrah
Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal
Fulkerson Winery 2013 William Vigne Dry Zwiegelt
Best Vinifera Red
Harbes Vineyard 2012 Red Blend
Best Vinifera/Hybrid Red
Buttonwood Grove Winery Redbud
Best Other Red French-American Varietal
Johnson Estate Winery 2012 Chambourcin, Estate Grown
Best Cold Climate Red Varietal
Thousand Islands Winery 2012 Frontenac
Best Hybrid Red
Lakewood Vineyards 2013 Long Stem Red
Best Concord
21 Brix Winery Ella’s Red
Best Fruit
King Ferry Winery 2013 Apple Mystique
Best Cider
Kaneb Orchards 2014 St. Lawrence Cider
Best Spirit
Hidden Marsh Distillery Judd's Wreckin Ball Corn Whiskey
Best Ice Wine
Idol Ridge Winery 2014 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine
Best Vinifera Sparkling White
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery 2005 Brut Seduction, Methode Champenoise
