Watkins Glen, New York, August 13 - Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, Estate Bottled from the Finger Lakes Region won the coveted "Governor's Cup" trophy at the 2014 New York Wine & Food Classic competition, held on August 12 & 13 at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen, NY. The "Winery of the Year" award went to Macari Vineyards & Winery on the North Fork of Long Island.

Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy personally presented the elegant Governor's Cup, a large silver chalice, which recognizes the "Best of Show" or top prize of all 863 entries in the Classic, known as "The Oscars" of New York wine. 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.

"We are honored that Lieutenant Governor Duffy presented the Governor's Cup and Winery of the Year awards," said Jim Trezise, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which sponsors the Classic. "We applaud the winners in a very competitive event, as well as the strong support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and Lieutenant Governor  Duffy for the New York wine industry."

This year's competition included 835 New York wines, 20 Hard Ciders and 8 Spirits from several regions across New York State including Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie. The  Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, Estate Bottled was also voted Best White Wine, Best Overall Riesling and Best Medium Dry Riesling on its way to the ultimate award. Macari Vineyards & Winery won Best Cabernet Franc on its way to the Winery of the Year award, along with several other top medals.    

A "Specialty Wine Champion" award recognizes consistent quality among the increasing number of wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey. The 2014 winner was King Ferry Winery 2013 Apple Mystique.

A "Best Limited Production Wine" award, for wines produced with fewer than 100 cases, went to Sheldrake Point Winery 2013 Late Harvest Riesling.

There are also awards for Best Spirit and Best Cider. The Best Spirit honor went to Hidden Marsh Distillery Judd's Wreckin' Ball Corn Whiskey, while the Best Cider was Kaneb Orchards 2014 St. Lawrence Cider.

The awards were based on blind tastings by 22 expert judges-4 from California, 10 from New York, 7 from other states, and 1 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 Best of Category and Governor's Cup awards.

Celebrating its 29th year, the Classic is organized by Teresa Knapp of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and is open to all 363 New York wineries from all regions. In 2014, a total of 67 Double Gold, 113 Gold, 347 Silver, and 206 Bronze medals were awarded. In addition, "Best of Category" and "Best of Class" designations were awarded to wines rated as the finest in various areas. Double Gold medals require unanimity among a panel's judges that a wine deserves a Gold medal, whereas Gold medals require a majority vote.

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


Best of Class awards go to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least 7 wines. The "Best of Class" awards 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


Complete results of the 2014 Classic will also soon be posted under "Awards and Accolades" at www.newyorkwines.org, which also includes Gold medal New York wines from other major competitions.

Media Contact: Jim Trezise, 585-394-3620, ext. 203, jimtrezise@nywgf.org