December 7, 2013

             More New York Gold, family farms, and a smart college instructor.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

                The year may almost be over, but the medals keep flowing in, this time from the Grand Harvest Awards competition sponsored by Vineyard & Winery Management magazine, where New York wines won 22 Bronze, 46 Silver, 22 Gold, and 6 Double Gold/Best of Class awards.

                 The Double Gold/Best of Class honors went to Chateau Frank 2006 Brut, Dr. Frank 2012 Gewurztraminer, Fulkerson 2012 William Vigne Juicy Sweet Riesling, Swedish Hill 2012 Riesling, Wagner 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling, and Belhurst 2012 Dry Riesling.

                   Gold medals went to Belhurst 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling and 2012 Dry Riesling; Dr. Frank 2012 Riesling Reserve, 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling, and 2012 Dry Riesling; Hazlitt 2010 Pinot Noir; Hunt Country 2012 Seyval Blanc and Vignoles; Liberty 2012 Chardonnay and 2011 Traminette; Rooster Hill 2012 Dry Riesling; Goose Watch 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon and Golden Spumante; Swedish Hill Blanc de Noirs, 2012 Dry Riesling, 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling, and 2011 Cabernet Franc; Thirsty Owl 2012 Riesling, 2012 Vidal Blanc, and 2012 Snow Owl; and Wagner 2011 Semi-Dry Riesling.

                   Meanwhile, Silver Thread Vineyards 2012 Dry Riesling was cited by Wine Spectator magazine as one of the "100 Outstanding Values" of 2013, with a score of 90 and price of $18 (while the average score of wines rated 90 and above was $77!).  It's a great example of quality for the prices.  www.silverthreadwine.com. 

                    Next weekend I'll do a wrap-up of this year's winnings by New York wineries along with other year-end information for 2012.  Meanwhile, the best wine shopping list for the holidays is the Awards and Accolades section of our web site (www.newyorkwines.org)

             SUNY Potsdam in the North Country is developing an all-New York wine list for its dining services, and will be encouraging other colleges in the State University system to follow suit.  This is an initiative of George Arnold, the Executive Director of Dining, whose wife Michele has also been assisting in the project.  It's been a pleasure for me to work with them in developing a diverse selection of New York wines, primarily from the Finger Lakes and North Country, although they will encourage other schools to select wines from their own regions.  They'll make a presentation to their SUNY colleagues in Albany on January 9, and we wish them great success.

               Educational Opportunities in Viticulture, Enology and Marketing is the focus of a project that Mackenzie Green has been working on so that the increasing number of people interested in our industry can explore various options for education and training.  Possibilities range from Cornell's four-year Viticulture and Enology curriculum to the excellent two-year program at Finger Lakes Community College, A.A.S. or Certificate programs at other institutions, and even individual classes.  The end result will be a basic resource document with links and contact information for the various programs which we'll post on our web site.

                Family Farms are basically what much of the New York wine industry represents, based on a survey we have conducted that also tracks the generational evolution.  

                For example, at Leonard Oakes Estate Winery west of Rochester, there are three third-generation and three fourth-generation Oakeses currently working on the farm.  Miles Wine Cellars has two second-generation and four third-generation family members involved, while Wagner Vineyards has three each of the second and third generations--and three still in school.  Meaghan Frank recently became the fourth generation representative at the pioneering Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, while Doug Hazlitt and his sister Leigh Hazlitt Triner are the sixth generation at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.  And there are many more examples which will be spelled out in a future Wine Press.

                The fact that many young people are staying with the family farm is a positive sign of their confidence in the future of the New York wine industry and their personal commitment to it.