For the second week in a row, Coyote Moon Vineyards in the Thousand Islands region led a strong showing of New York wines at a major wine competition, this time the Dan Berger International Wine Competition in California's Sonoma wine region.

                 Three New York wines were in the final Sweepstakes round, meaning they had already won Best of Class, and Chairman's Awards (equivalent to Double Gold, requiring unanimity among judges on a panel),  In addition, New York wines captured 21 Gold, 42 Silver, and 25 Bronze medals--more than 100 altogether.

                  Coyote Moon 2013 Island Mama (a blend of "Minnesota" varieties) was in the Sweepstakes, along with Goose Watch 2015 Diamond and Keuka Spring 2015 Gewurztraminer.

                  Coyote Moon also won Best of Class awards for 2014 River Time, Fire Boat White, River Run, and Moscato; Chairman's Awards for 2013 LaCrescent, and 2013 Brianna; Gold medals for Marquette, and Fire Boat Red; plus five Silver and five Bronze medals for various other wines.

                  Other Best of Class designations for New York wine included Lamoreaux Landing 2015 Vidal Ice; and Wagner 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling.

                  Additional Chairman's Awards went to Belhurst Sparkling Isabella; Goose Watch 2015 Rose of Isabella, and 2015 Traminette; Liberty Vineyards Chocolette; and Sheldrake Point 2014 Dry Riesling.

                  Other Gold medals were awarded to 21 Brix Ella's White; Billsboro 2014 Dry Riesling; Fox Run 2014 Dry Riesling; Goose Watch 2015 Pinot Grigio; Swedish Hill 2015 Riesling; Keuka Spring 2015 Vignoles, and 2015 Apres; Knapp 2015 Dry Riesling; Liberty Vineyards Richter Red, Reds, Whites & Blues, and 2013 Barrel-Select Noiret; Sheldrake Point 2015 Dry Rose; Swedish Hill 2015 Riesling; Wagner 2014 Dry Riesling, 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling, 2014 Riesling Caywood East Vineyard, and 2013 Riesling Select; and Wolffer Estate 2013 Cabernet Franc.

                  Next up, this week is the great Los Angeles International Wine Competition, where New York wines have always done well.  Back to California!

                    The Dan Berger International includes a special feature: the International Riesling Foundation trophies for best Dry, Medium Dry, Medium Sweet, and Sweet styles, as determined by the IRF Riesling Taste Profile.

                    Several New York wineries have won a trophy in past years, but this year Wagner Vineyards won TWO--for the Medium Sweet and Sweet categories--with its 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling and 2013 Riesling Select, respectively.  That has never happened before.

                   Dan Berger is the "father" of the IRF Riesling Taste Profile.  When we created the International Riesling Foundation in 2007, Dan insisted that we immediately needed to develop a Dry-to-Sweet taste scale--based on the interplay of sugar, acid, and pH--to take the mystery out of Riesling for consumers and, for that matter, the trade.  After six months of international conference calls with winemakers around the world, it was done, posted on our web site (www.drinkriesling.com), and made available for free to anyone who wants to use it.  Result: It's on over 30 million bottles of Riesling in the U.S. market, and consumers now routinely look for it on the back label.  In addition, winemakers in many other countries are using it as well.

                    Wagner Vineyards' double award is richly deserved.  The late Bill Wagner was a long-time grape grower who opened one of New York's first farm wineries after the Farm Winery Law of 1976 was passed.  He was a qualify-focused grower with a particular passion for Riesling, and both characteristics were passed on to his son John and the rest of the family, as well as longtime winemaker Ann Raffetto.  Not only did they win the two IRF trophies, but the two other Rieslings they entered, both dry (2014 Dry Riesling, and 2014 Riesling Caywood East Vineyard), also won Gold medals.  It shows consistent quality across the board.

                     Wagner Vineyards will be one of about a dozen Finger Lakes Riesling producers at the incredible Riesling Rendezvous conference in Seattle in mid-July.  Sponsored by Chateau Ste. Michelle, the world's largest Riesling producer at over 1,000,000 cases annually, and Dr. Loosen of Germany, this is the best conference of any kind that I've ever attended.  I'm happy to see that the Finger Lakes will have more producers in attendance than any other region, state or country.  It's great confirmation that Finger Lakes Rieslings are now recognized and respected worldwide, and that Finger Lakes producers know they need to "show up" to maintain that reputation.

                       Penn Yan, NY, population about 5,159 give or take a birth or death, is a very cool little town that I don't write much about because I don't want other people to move here.

                       It's at the north end of the east branch of Y-shaped Keuka Lake, the "Jewel of the Finger Lakes", surrounded by fine wineries, horse-and-buggy Mennonite farms, and a breathtaking landscape of multi-use farmland, vineyards, and stunning lake views.

                       It's also an active place, with lots of activities for residents and visitors.  Starting soon, every Saturday morning until late October, Main St. will become a farmer's market featuring local farmers who bring their goods to town.  Today, Main St. is the site of the first-ever "Flights of Fancy: A Finger Lakes Wine Classic" from 2-8 pm, when 20 local wineries and several local food establishments will sample and sell their products to appreciative consumers.  The event also features music, cooking demonstrations, and culinary exhibits.
                        Proceeds from the event will go to great local causes like the Keuka Outlet Trail, a six-mile walking path through woods and wilderness along the stream that flows from Keuka to Seneca Lake.  www.fingerlakeswineclassic.com.

                        Separately, the Yates Community Center is sponsoring "Basic Wine Service" classes on two levels for people interested in a seasonal part-time job or a new career opportunity in the wine industry. Given by Evan Miles, a third generation winegrower from Miles Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake, the certificate course helps fill a gap: With the continuing growth of wineries and related hospitality businesses in the region, knowledgeable employees are needed.  Each level involves two two-hour sessions, and the cost is only $35.  

                         WineAmerica and Winegrape Growers of America members will descend on Washington, DC in about a week for the annual conference, briefings, and Hill visits to the offices of Senators and Representatives from around the country.  The purpose: Make sure they know our legislative priorities.

                          I will represent WineAmerica, along with Steve Bate of the Long Island Wine Council and Trent Preszler of Bedell Cellars, who will become the organization's Chair at this meeting.  Jim Bedient, Chad Hendrickson, and Peter Martini will be part of the WGA delegation.  Members from both groups will visit the various offices together, showing a unified front on the issues we all face--excise taxes, immigration reform, research funding export support, and more.  After the Hill visits on Tuesday, a "Taste the Wines of America" reception lets legislators and staff taste the great wines from their home state.

                           WineAmerica--the national organization of American wineries--began as a tiny, regional association based in Watkins Glen, run by Bill Moffett, and then named the Association of American Vintners.  Over the years, under a succession of different names, it has continued to grow so that today there are members from nearly all states.  Every American winery should join WineAmerica.