New York wineries added to their treasure trove of Gold medals at the recent Tasters Guild International Wine Competition held in Michigan, with Dr. Konstantin Frank 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling leading the pack with a Double Gold.

            Gold medals went to Anyela's Vineyards Cuvee Blanc, 2008 Noiret, and 2007 Cabernet Franc; Atwater Estate Vineyards 2009 Pinot Gris; Belhurst Estate Winery Sparkling Isabella and 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling; Brotherhood, America's Oldest Winery Blanc de Blancs and Grand Monarque (both sparkling wines); Casa Larga Cab-Merlot; Chateau Frank 2006 Blanc de Blancs and 2004 Brut; Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Pinot Noir Blanc, Seyval-Chardonnay, 2009 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling, and 2007 Pinot Noir; Coyote Moon Vineyards 2010 Fire Boat Red; Dr. Frank 2010 Salmon Run Chardonnay-Riesling; Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Gewurztraminer and 2010 Pinot Blanc; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Bramble Berry, White Stag, 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 Riesling, and 2010 Pinot Gris; Heron Hill Winery 2009 Semi-Sweet Riesling; Hunt Country 2009 Valvin Muscat; Keuka Spring Vineyards 2009 Lemberger; Lakewood Vineyards 2009 Candeo (sparkling wine) and 2009 Vignoles; Liberty Vineyards & Winery Diamond; Merritt Estate Winery Bella Rosa; Pompous Ass Winery Pretentious and 2009 Riesling; Schulze Vineyards & Winery 2010 Semi-Dry Vidal Blanc; Thirsty Owl Wine Company 2010 Riesling and 2010 Diamond; Thousand Islands Winery Saint Lawrence Red; Torrey Ridge Winery Niagara and Blue Sapphire; Treleaven (King Ferry) Gilded Lily; Ventosa Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir; and Wagner Vineyards 2009 Riesling Select.

             I apologize that last week I neglected to mention a Gold for Thirsty Owl's Snow Owl (white blend) in the recent Riverside International.

            At the Ultimate Wine Challenge in New York City, which rates by points rather than medals, three Finger Lakes Rieslings got "Great Value" accolades as well as scores above 90: Wagner Vineyards 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling (93) and 2009 Riesling Select (91); and Fox Run Vineyards 2009 Riesling (91).

             Next up, this week, is the great Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits Competition where New York wines typically shine, but whose results are not made public until a special event in June.  To keep up with the ever-growing number of New York wine awards, visit the "New York Gold" section of www.newyorkwines.org.

 Johnson Estate Celebrates 50, 100, and 200 Years 

           Johnson Estate Winery, the oldest estate winery in New York State, is celebrating its 50th year as a winery and 100th year as a family farm just west of the village of Westfield in the Lake Erie District. The year 2011 also happens to be the bicentennial of Chautauqua County where they're located.

              To commemorate the occasion, a newly renovated and expanded tasting room has been unveiled which features a glass wall so tasters can see the stainless steel jacketed tanks in the adjacent production area.  A new case goods warehouse was finished last year. The outside of the building on West Main St.--a long-time apple cold storage building--looks the same, but the inside is all new. There are also new activities like Sunday Morning Vineyard Walks.

               There is a lot of consistency in this operation, including names and educational background.  Frederick W. Johnson purchased the land in 2011 and soon built the apple cold storage facility that still houses the tasting room.  His son, Frederick S. Johnson, started the winery in 1961 and was one of the first to plant French-American grape varieties which Johnson Estate still grows today.  His son, Frederick Johnson, is third generatioin to own the winery with his wife Jennifer.  All are Cornell graduates.

               www.johnsonwinery.com.

Hudson Valley "Art & Wine Pairing"

         "Food & Wine Pairing" is a very common topic in our industry, but now Hudson Valley Wine Magazine has come up with a great new twist: pairing local art with local wines.

            The  Hudson Valley north of New York City is one of the country's most historic regions for both art and wine, and that "pairing" will be celebrated next Friday and Saturday at Lyndhurst National Historic Site in Westchester. Basically, a group of jury-selected local artists was asked to hook up with a particular winery and produce a creation specifically inspired by that vineyard, winery, or wine.  Eleven area wineries are involved.

            The event will feature the unveiling of the artists' works during a wine and food tasting at Lyndhurst overlooking the majestic Hudson River, a site that inspired American Romanticism and the Hudson River School of painting decades ago.  Meanwhile, today the famous Zachys wine store is promoting the event with a tasting of wines from Brotherhood, America's Oldest Winery, Robibero Family Vineyard, and Whitecliff Vineyards.

              Proceeds from the event will benefit local educational and cultural programs.  Tickets vary in price depending on the activities selected, and may be purchased at www.hudsonvalleyartandwine.com.

Bedell: Great Wines for Great Causes

             Bedell Cellars has had a busy week, with more to come, as it supports great causes and shows the New York flag at the same time.  It was the only American winery to sponsor the James Beard Awards at Linclon Center, which honored wine education guru Kevin Zraly among others; and participated in a major fundraiser which raised $4 million for the Museum of Modern Art and featured an all-star list of attendees.

                 Bedell was also the only eastern winery which participated in the Chicago portion of the Wine Spectator Grand Tour this week; attended Brooklyn Uncorked; and is hosting a book signing with author Mark Oldman.  These types of activities provide great exposure for Bedell, Long Island, and New York.  www.bedellcellars.com.

DC and Albany: Shaping the Business Climate

            In this industry, we always talk about the climate--is the winter too cold, the spring too wet, the summer too hot?--because, after all, you need good grapes to make good wine, and you need a good climate to grow good grapes.  We can't control that; only hope and react.

                To grow our industry, you need a good business climate, which is more controllable if we get involved with shaping public policy. That's why I spent most of this week in Washington with Jim Bedient, John Martini, and Greg Tones visiting the offices of our two Senators and many Representatives on a range of issues--immigration reform, the "CARE" Act proposal, excise taxes, research funding, estate taxes, and more.  This was part of the annual joint conference of WineAmerica and Winegrape Growers of America, with colleagues from around the country.

                 I'm happy to say that these people--our Senators and Representatives, Democrat or Republican, veteran or new--get it. They understand the economic importance of our industry, why it's worth supporting in any way possible, and how they can help. An obvious example is the wholesaler-driven CARE Act proposal which they understand and oppose, and which at this point seems highly unlikely to pass or perhaps even get out of committee in the House (and there is at present no Senate version).

                 Meanwhile, on the State level, Senator Cathy Young from the Chautauqua region is once again leading the charge to help our industry, not only by restoring funding for the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, but by introducing a bill that would simplify and streamline regulations for New York wineries.  The bill grew out of the Wine and Grape Task Force convened by former Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and chaired by Kareem Massoud of Paumanok Vineyards, with input by industry representatives from around the State.  We're hoping it will be passed and signed into law in a month or so.

                  The climate is beyond our control; the business climate is not.