Billsboro’s Syrah wins NY best-in-show award

The Governor's Cup

A pair of Finger Lakes wineries took top honors in the 31st annual New York Wine & Food Classic competition that concluded Thursday in Watkins Glen.

Billsboro Winery of Geneva was awarded the highest honor, the Governor's Cup denoting the best wine in the competition, for its 2013 Syrah. And, Keuka Spring Vineyards of Penn Yan was named “Winery of the Year.”

This year saw 951 entries in the New York-only event, including 893 wines, 38 craft spirits, and 20 hard ciders. Billsboro's Syrah won "Best Red Wine" and "Best Syrah" en route to the Governor's Cup. Keuka Spring entries won "Best White Wine" and "Best Overall Riesling" in addition to several "Best of Class awards." The "Winery of the Year" is selected based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries.

The awards were based on blind tastings by panels of judges from across the U.S. and one from England. The event is sponsored and organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.

Winners in the "Best of" categories that made them eligible for Governor's Cup consideration:  

Best Sparkling Wine
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery's 2013 Brut, Methode Champenoise  

Best White Wine
Keuka Spring Vineyards' 2015 Gewürztraminer  

Best Blush or Rosé Wine
21 Brix Winery's Ellatawba  

Best Red Wine
Billsboro Winery's 2013 Syrah  

Best Dessert Wine
Wolffer Estate Vineyard's 2015 Descencia Botrytis Riesling/Chardonnay

The "Best of Class" awards:  

Best Oaked Chardonnay
Whitecliff Vineyard's 2014 Reserve Chardonnay  

Best Unoaked Chardonnay
Lieb Cellars' 2015 Bridge Lane Chardonnay  

Best Gewürztraminer
Keuka Spring Vineyards' 2015 Gewürztraminer

Best Dry Riesling
Keuka Spring Vineyards' 2015 Humphreys Vineyard Riesling, Single Vineyard Series  

Best Medium Dry Riesling
Dr. Konstantin Frank's 2015 Riesling, Semi-Dry  

Best Medium Sweet Riesling
Keuka Spring Vineyards' 2015 Semi Sweet Riesling  

Best Sweet Riesling
Wagner Vineyards' 2013 Riesling Select, Estate Grown & Bottled  

Best Overall Riesling
Keuka Spring Vineyards' 2015 Semi Sweet Riesling  

Best Pinot Grigio
Duck Walk Vineyards' 2015 Pinot Grigio  

Best Other Vinifera White Varietal
Palmer Vineyards' 2015 Albariῆo  

Best Vinifera White Blend
Bedell Cellars' 2015 Taste White  

Best Vinifera/Hybrid White Blend
Keuka Spring Vineyards' Celebrate  

Best Cayuga
Swedish Hill Winery's 2015 Cayuga White  

Best Seyval
Benmarl Winery's 2015 Seyval Blanc  

Best Traminette
Seneca Shore Wine Cellars' Traminette, Estate Bottled, DeMarco Vineyards  

Best Vidal
J.R. Dill Winery's 2015 Vidal Blanc

Best Cold Climate White Varietal
Coyote Moon Vineyards' Brianna  

Best Hybrid White
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyard's White Stag

Best Niagara
Americana Vineyards' Crystal Lake  

Best Catawba
21 Brix Winery's Ellatawba  

Best Native Varietal
Coyote Moon Vineyards' Fire Boat Red  

Best Vinifera Rosé
Wagner Vineyards' 2015 Rosé of Cabernet Franc  

Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards' 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve  

Best Merlot
Clovis Point Vineyard & Winery's 2013 Vintner’s Select Merlot  

Best Pinot Noir
Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards' 2014 Pinot Noir  

Best Cabernet Franc
Kontokosta Winery's 2013 Cabernet Franc  

Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal
Influence Wines' 2015 Malbec  

Best Syrah
Billsboro Winery's 2013 Syrah  

Best Vinifera Red Blend
Harbes Vineyard's 2014 Red Blend, Proprietor’s Reserve  

Best Cold Climate Red Varietal
Tug Hill Vineyards' White Out, Estate  

Best Fruit Wine
Coyote Moon Vineyards' Razzle Dazzle  

Best Port
Goose Watch Winery's 2015 Finale White Port  

Best Late Harvest
Wolffer Estate Vineyard's 2015 Descencia Botrytis Riesling/Chardonnay  

Best Ice Wine
Sheldrake Point Winery's 2014 Riesling Ice Wine, Wild Ferment, Estate Bottled  

Best Vinifera Sparkling White
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery's 2013 Brut, Methode Champenoise  

Best Vinifera Sparkling Pink
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery's 2013 Topaz Imperial, Methode Champenoise  

Best Hybrid Sparkling White
Swedish Hill Winery's Blanc de Blancs

Other awards:  

Specialty Wine Champion -- Coyote Moon Vineyards' Razzle Dazzle, recognizing consistent quality among wines made from fruits other than grapes, or honey.

Best Limited Production Wine -- Finger Lakes Community College Viticulture & Wine Tech Corp's 2015 Gather, Dry Riesling, in competition among wines produced with fewer than 100 cases.

Best Spirit -- Finger Lakes Distilling's McKenzie Bourbon.

Best Cider -- Brooklyn Cider House's Half Sour.

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