Finger Lakes Wineries Shine at 2026 New York Wine Classic

Ryan William Vineyard captures the Governor’s Cup while Weis Vineyards earns Winery of the Year for a third straight year.

New York’s wine industry raised a glass to some of its top producers Monday as the New York Wine Classic announced its 2026 winners. Ryan William Vineyard of the Finger Lakes earned the Governor’s Cup for its 2025 Pinot Blanc, while Weis Vineyards was named Winery of the Year. The awards highlighted a strong showing by Finger Lakes producers while also recognizing wineries from the Hudson Valley, Long Island and other wine-growing regions across the state.

The winners were announced August 10 during a virtual ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of the statewide competition. More than 100 wineries submitted over 700 wines for judging this year.

Ryan William Vineyard Wins Governor’s Cup

Ryan William Vineyard, based in Burdett in Schuyler County, captured the competition’s highest honor with its 2025 Pinot Blanc.

The wine earned a score of 97 and received several distinctions, including Governor’s Cup Best Wine, Best White Wine, Best Other Vinifera White Varietal and a Platinum Medal.

The Governor’s Cup is awarded to the wine judged Best of Show in the New York Wine Classic.

Ryan Bossert, owner and founder of Ryan William Vineyard, described the award as the fulfillment of a longtime ambition.

“This is a decades long dream come true,” Bossert said, adding that the recognition belonged to the vineyard, winery, tasting room and restaurant teams.

The winning Pinot Blanc was listed by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation at $19, making the competition’s highest-rated wine relatively accessible compared with some other award-winning bottles.

Weis Vineyards Named Winery of the Year

Weis Vineyards of Hammondsport received Winery of the Year honors.

It marked the third consecutive year — and fourth time overall — that Weis Vineyards has earned the distinction.

The Winery of the Year award is based on a producer’s overall performance, considering the number and level of awards earned compared with the winery’s entries.

Weis also captured major individual honors.

Its 2024 Riesling Ice Wine was named Best Dessert Wine and scored 97 points. Its 2025 Zweigelt Dry Rosé was named Best Pink Wine and received a score of 95.

Peter and Ashlee Weis credited their employees, grape growers and customers for the recognition, saying their growers’ work and commitment to quality helped make the awards possible.

2026 New York Wine Classic Top Winners

The major Best of Category winners were:

• Governor’s Cup: Ryan William Vineyard — 2025 Pinot Blanc
• Winery of the Year: Weis Vineyards — Hammondsport
• Best White Wine: Ryan William Vineyard — 2025 Pinot Blanc
• Best Red Wine: Millbrook Vineyards & Winery — 2024 Cabernet Franc Clone 623
• Best Sparkling Wine: Milea Family Wines — Hudson Valley Vineyards Right Bank Blanc de Blancs
• Best Pink Wine: Weis Vineyards — 2025 Zweigelt Dry Rosé
• Best Dessert Wine: Weis Vineyards — 2024 Riesling Ice Wine
• Best Specialty Wine: Montezuma Winery — Cranberry Bog

Platinum Medal Winners Show Statewide Range

Several additional wines earned Platinum Medal status.

Among them were Sheldrake Point Winery’s 2024 Estate Noble Gewürztraminer, Living Roots Wine & Co.’s 2024 Bone-Dry Riesling, Wölffer Estate Vineyard’s 2022 Cassango Cabernet Sauvignon and Three Brothers Wineries and Estates’ 2024 Meritage Red Blend.

The results show that while the Finger Lakes remained highly visible among the winners, the awards were distributed across several New York wine regions.

More Than 700 Wines Entered

Competition was extensive.

According to the Governor’s Office, more than 100 wineries entered more than 700 wines. Judges ultimately awarded:

• 14 Platinum medals
• 282 Gold medals
• 296 Silver medals
• 106 Bronze medals

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation organized the competition in partnership with the Beverage Testing Institute.

Wines were evaluated by a trained sensory panel that included sommeliers, beverage directors, educators, retail buyers and other wine-industry professionals.

What Is the New York Wine Classic?

The New York Wine Classic is an annual statewide competition designed to evaluate and recognize wines produced by New York wineries.

The competition covers wines from the state’s major growing regions, including the Finger Lakes, Long Island, Hudson Valley, Lake Erie, Niagara Escarpment and other recognized American Viticultural Areas.

The 2026 event marked the competition’s 40th year.

Finger Lakes Continue Strong Showing

This year’s results again placed the Finger Lakes at the center of New York’s wine conversation.

Both the Governor’s Cup winner and Winery of the Year came from the region, while Finger Lakes producers collected numerous category awards and Platinum medals.

The region is particularly well represented among Riesling and other cool-climate wines.

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Executive Director Sam Filler said New York’s climate allows producers to develop the styles sought by many wine consumers.

“New York is consistently producing world-class wines,” Filler said.

His organization said the competition provides a platform for introducing New York producers to a broader market while promoting the diversity of wine produced across the state.

Wine Awards Also Promote Agriculture and Tourism

The Wine Classic is not simply a tasting contest.

State officials view New York wine production as part of a larger agricultural and tourism network that connects vineyards, wineries, tasting rooms, restaurants and rural communities.

Gov. Kathy Hochul said the producers recognized through the competition represent New York’s agricultural traditions and craftsmanship while supporting jobs and helping market the state as a destination for wine tourism.

That economic argument should still be kept in perspective. Competition medals measure the judgments of a particular expert panel. They do not establish that one wine will appeal to every consumer.

Taste remains personal.

But awards can give consumers a starting point for discovering producers and regions they may not otherwise encounter.

New York Wine Reaches Beyond the Finger Lakes

Although Finger Lakes wineries dominated several top honors, the results demonstrate that New York wine is geographically diverse.

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery in Dutchess County won Best Red Wine. Milea Family Wines, also from Dutchess County, won Best Sparkling Wine. Long Island producers including Wölffer Estate, Paumanok Vineyards and Jason’s Vineyard also received prominent awards.

That spread matters because New York’s growing areas have different climates, soils and winemaking traditions.

The result is a wine industry that is not defined by a single grape or one part of the state.

A Reason to Explore New York Wine

For consumers, the 2026 New York Wine Classic offers a practical guide to bottles and wineries worth exploring.

The Governor’s Cup winner, category champions and full medal list give shoppers a broad range of choices — from Riesling and Cabernet Franc to sparkling wine, rosé and specialty fruit wines.

For New Yorkers, buying from a state winery can also help support local agriculture and businesses connected to the wine and tourism industries.

The competition’s biggest message may therefore extend beyond the medal table: New York is producing award-winning wines across multiple regions and price ranges.

As the state celebrates the Classic’s 40th anniversary, consumers interested in discovering those wines can explore the complete competition results through the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.