Seneca Lake Winery Association

Below is a partial list of awards, or industry praise, many of our member wineries have received the past few years. Thank you to the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and Jim Tresize for their weekly emails which provided the bulk of this information. Please know that we have several member wineries that submit their wines to very few competitions, and therefore have fewer medals, but that in no way necessarily reflects the quality of their wine at all. Usually, in fact, it means they're a relatively small winery, where the owner(s) do literally everything from the vineyard to the bottle, and simply lack the time/resources to submit wines to as many competitions as they might prefer. For those visitors, however, that are fans of particular grapes, or style of wine, this list can be helpful in helping you winnow down the list of wineries you want to visit. If, for example, you're a big fan of the Merlot grape (possibly because you too loathed Giamatti's whining, grating performance in Sideways) you can perform a search of this long page for that grape, and quickly identify at least some of those wineries that have made some award-winning Merlot wines the past few years.

2012 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Double Gold medals went to: Fulkerson Winery, 2011 Matinee; Lakewood Vineyards, 2009 Lemberger; and Seneca Shores Wine Cellars Cabernet Franc.  Gold medals were awarded to: Anthony Road Wine Company 2011 Riesling; Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling, 201 Dry Riesling, and 2010 Late Harvest Riesling; Fox Run Vineyards 2009 Tierce Dry Riesling; Glenora Wine Cellars 2009 Riesling Iced; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling; Lakewood 2010 Riesling and 2009 Candeo; and Red Newt Cellars 2011 Riesling. For more information on all the winners and more, visit www.fliwc.com.

2012 Florida State Fair International Wine & Grape Juice Competition
Double Gold medals went to: Glenora 2010 Finger Lakes Late Harvest Riesling and 2003 Finger Lakes Brut Methode Champenoise; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Homestead Reserve Riesling and 2010 Finger Lakes Chardonnay; Lakewood 2010 Finger Lakes Chardonnay; and Wagner Vineyards Finger Lakes Sparkling Riesling
Gold medals were awarded to: Anthony Road 2010 Finger Lakes Gewurztraminer; Fulkerson 2010 Finger Lakes Vidal Blanc Iced Wine; Hazlitt 2010 Finger Lakes Vidal Ice Wine; Lakewood 2010 Finger Lakes Rielsing, 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling, and 2010 Finger Lakes Borealis; and Torrey Ridge for their Finger Lakes Niagara and Finger Lakes Diamond.
For a more complete listing of their awards, visit their website: http://www.fgga.org/floridastatefair.html

Recently a popular wine blog, the New York Cork Report, released their annual 2011 "Wines of the Year" list with member winery Atwater Estate Vineyards winning the best Finger Lakes Dessert Wine with their 2010 Celsius Ice Wine. For a complete listing of their selections, visit the full New York Cork Report article by clicking here.

2011 Denver International Wine Competition
Gold medals went to Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards for their 2010 Riesling and 2010 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine

2011 Tasters Guild Wine Lovers' Consumer Wine Judging
At the Tasters Guild Wine Lovers' Consumer Wine Judging, Chateau Lafayette Reneau got Double Gold for its 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling, and Gold medals went to Belhurst Estate Winery 2010 Dry Riesling, Carrie Blush and 2009 Merlot; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2010 Late Harvest Riesling; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards White Stag; Wagner Vineyards 2007 Meritage, 2008 Vidal Ice Wine, 2008 Cabernet Franc, and Sparkling Riesling.

2011 New York Wine & Food Classic
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars was named "Winery of the Year" for consistent quality at the 2011 New York Wine & Food Classic held his week at the superb Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel.  This year's Classic included 741 entries from 105 New York wineries evaluated blind by 21 judges from around the United States and world.  In addition, Earle Estates Meadery was awarded "Specialty Wine Champion" with its Best Honey Mead and Best Fruit Wine medals; "Best Limited Production Wine" (made in fewer than 100 cases) went to Fox Run Vineyards Fine Old Tawny Port. 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 Chardonnay-   Lamoreaux Landing WIne Cellars 2008 Estate Bottled Chardonnay
Best Overall Chardonnay- Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2008 Estate Bottled Chardonnay
Best Dry Riesling- Anthony Road Wine Company 2008 Tierce Riesling, with Fox Run Vineyards & Red Newt Cellars
Best Sweet Riesling- Atwater Vineyards 2009 Sweet Riesling
Best Hybrid White Blend- Atwater Estate Vineyards Stone Bridge White
Best Cabernet Sauvignon-   Ventosa Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Best Cabernet Franc-  Ventosda Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc
Best Lemberger -  Fulkerson Winery 2009 Lemberger
Best Honey Mead- Earle Estates Meadery Raspberry Reflection
Best Fruit- Earle Estates Meadery Apple Enchantment
Best Late Harvest Wine-  Anthony Road WIne Company 2008 Riesling Trockenbeeren, Martini Reinhardt Selection     
Double Gold medals were awarded to Anthony Road Wine Company 2008 Tierce Riesling and 2008 Riesling Trockenbeeren Martini Reinhardt Selection; Atwater Estate Vineyards 2009 Sweet Riesling, Sweet Chancellor and Stone Bridge White; Belhurst Estate Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Traditions and Naturel Sparkling; Earle Estates Meadery Apple Enchantment, Raspberry Reflections and Creamy Apricot; Fox Run Vineyards Fine Old Tawny Port; Fulkerson Winery 2010 William Vigne Juicy Sweet and 2010 Vidal Blanc Iced Wine; Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Gewürztraminer and 2010 Vidal Blanc Iced ; Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 2010 Dry Riesling Estate Bottled and 2008 Chardonnay Estate Bottled; Penguin Bay Winery 2010 Riesling; Torrey Ridge Winery Niagara; and Ventosa Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc. Gold medals were awarded to Anthony Road Wine Company 2010 Gewürztraminer; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2010 Dry Riesling Estate; Fox Run Vineyards Ruby Port; Fruit Yard Winery 2010 Peach; Fulkerson Winery 2009 Lemberger; Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Late Harvest Riesling, 2010 Pinot Blanc and 2009 Cabernet Franc; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Pinot Gris; Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars Riesling Red Oak Vineyards Estate Bottled, 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling Estate Bottled, 2008 Merlot Estate Bottled, 2009 Riesling Ice Estate Bottled; Penguin Bay Winery Tuxedo White; Red Newt Cellars 2008 Gewürztraminer Curry Creek Vineyards; Rock Stream Vineyards Grappa; Torrey Ridge Winery Catawba; Ventosa Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon; Wagner Vineyards 2008 Chardonnay Reserve Estate Bottled and 2008 Vidal Blanc Ice Estate Bottled; White Springs Winery 2010 Riesling 101; Zugibe Vineyards 2009 Pinot Gris and 2009 Riesling.

2011 Indy International Wine Competition
The competition included nearly 2500 wines from many states and countries, and more than 50 judges. Concordance Gold awards, similar to Double Gold in some other competitions and requiring unanimity of judges, went to Belhurst Estate Winery 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling and 2008 Syrah; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Vidal Blanc Ice Wine; Seneca Shores Pinot Grigio, DeMarco Vineyards; and Wagner Vineyards 2007 Meritage. Gold medals were awarded to Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Estate Chardonnay Proprietor's Reserve, 2010 Estate Semi-Dry Riesling, and 2009 Estate Semi-Dry Riesling; Fulkerson Winery 2010 Riesling; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay, 2010 Homestead Reserve Riesling, and 2010 Sauvignon Blanc; Lakewood Vineyards 2010 Vignoles;  Seneca Shore Winery Native Port; Torrey Ridge Winery Catawba, Diamond, and Summer Delight; and Ventosa 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vintage Experiences
"The 2008 Tierce may be the best dry Riesling ever made in the U.S.", wrote Dan Berger in the August 2011 edition of Vintage Experiences (www.vintageexperiences.com).  That's a major statement from one of the country's foremost Riesling experts, and his article explains his reasoning: "We've had this wine eight times since it was released, and its get better every time...it is in a class by itself...if this Tierce had been judged by those who really understand Riesling and this ultra-dry category, it would have scored 100."  Tierce is a collaborative effort among superb winemakers Johannes Reinhardt of Anthony Road Winery, Peter Bell of Fox Run Vineyards, and Dave Whiting of Red Newt Cellars.  The 2008 version is nearly sold out, but fortunately the 2009 should be available soon.

2011 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
There were 564 entries from 118 wineries in 17 states evaluated by 19 judges. There were several Gold and Best of Category winners including Fulkerson Winery 2009 Traminette, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc and 2009 Gewurztraminer.Additional Gold medals went to Belhurst Estate Winery 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling, and Lakewood Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay.

Wine & Spirits Magazine
"Year's Best Finger Lakes" is a feature August 2011 edition of Wine & Spirits magazine, with 25 wines, mostly Rieslings, rated exceptional (90+) and 10 as Best Buys.  The ratings were based on tastings of 97 wines by Patrick Comiskey.
Red Newt 2009 Finger Lakes Circle Label Riesling (93, and Best Buy), 2009 Finger Lakes Davis Farms Vineyards Riesling (93), 2009 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling (92, and Best Buy), and 2009 Finger Lakes Sawmill Creek Vineyard Riesling (91); Lamoreaux Landing 2009 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (92, and Best Buy), 2009 Finger Lakes Red Oak Vineyard Riesling (92), 2009 Finger Lakes Round Rock Vineyard Riesling (92), 2009 Finger Lakes Reserve Riesling (91), and 2009 Finger Lakes Red Oak Vineyard Riesling (90); Tierce 2008 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling (92); Anthony Road 2009 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling (91, and Best Buy); Fox Run 2009 Finger Lakes Riesling (90, and Best Buy).
The exceptional red wines were Lamoreaux Landing 2007 Finger Lakes 76 West (92), and Red Newt 2008 Finger Lakes Glacier Ridge Vineyards Cabernet Franc (90).

2011 San Francisco International Wine Competition
With more than 4,000 entries from around the world,  Gold medals went to Fulkerson Winery 2009 Riesling-Traminette and 2008 Cabernet Franc Ice Wine; Hazlitt 2008 Cabernet Franc; and Penguin Bay Percussion.

2011 New York State Fair Commercial Wine Competition
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards took a Best of Category award (Fruit) with their Brambleberry with additional Double Gold medals going to Chateau LaFayette Reneau Seyval Chardonnay; and Glenora 2010 Vidal Iced. Gold medals were awarded to Glenora 2010 Dry Riesling; Hazlitt White Stag, 2009 Gewurztraminer, and 2010 Sauvignon Blanc; Ventosa 2009 Ventosa Vineyards Tocaice, 2010 Ventosa Vineyards Riesling and 2008 Ventosa Vineyards Pinot Noir; and Wagner 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling and 2008 Vidal Ice

2011 International Eastern Wine Competition
This competition, sponsored by Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine and run by veteran wine writer and judge Linda Murphy, has been held on the east coast since its creation decades ago. New York wines made a strong showing with several Best of Class awards, other Double Golds and Golds, and many Silver and Bronze awards.  The Double Gold/Best of Class winneres included Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Finger Lakes Pinot Blanc; Hazlitt White Stag; and Hickory Hollow Liquid Wisdom. Other Gold medals went to Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Gewurtztraminer; and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Semi-Dry Riesling.

2011 Los Angeles International Wine & Spirits
Gold & Best of Class honors went to Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Estate Riesling (94), Fulkerson Winery 2009 Riesling-Traminette (94). Additional Gold medals went to Belhurst Estate Winery for their 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling (94) and 2010 Dry Riesling (93). At the Critics Challenge competition, Gold medals went to Hazlitt 1852 Merlot and Wagner Vineyards 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling.

2011 Great Lakes Wine Competition
Gold medals went to Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc, 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling, and White Stag; Lakewood Vineyards 2009 Dry Riesling and 2009 Long Stem White; and Wagner Vineyards 2008 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine.

2011 International Wine & Spirits Competition
Belhurst Estate Winery 2009 Dry Riesling won a Silver (Best in Class).

2011 Tasters Guild International Wine Competition
Gold medals went to Atwater Estate Vineyards 2009 Pinot Gris; Belhurst Estate Winery Sparkling Isabella and 2010 Semi-Dry Riesling; Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Pinot Noir Blanc, Seyval-Chardonnay, 2009 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling, and 2007 Pinot Noir; Glenora Wine Cellars 2010 Gewurztraminer and 2010 Pinot Blanc; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Bramble Berry, White Stag, 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, 2010 Riesling, and 2010 Pinot Gris; Lakewood Vineyards 2009 Candeo (sparkling wine) and 2009 Vignoles; Torrey Ridge Winery Niagara and Blue Sapphire; Ventosa Vineyards 2008 Pinot Noir; and Wagner Vineyards 2009 Riesling Select.
At the 2011 Ultimate Wine Challenge in New York City, which rates by points rather than medals, three Finger Lakes Rieslings got "Great Value" accolades as well as scores above 90: Wagner Vineyards 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling (93) and 2009 Riesling Select (91); and Fox Run Vineyards 2009 Riesling (91).

2011 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
The FLIWC's numbers are impressive: 3279 entries from 788 wineries representing all 50 states, 6 Canadian provinces, and 19 countries, with 60 judges from 15 countries. 110 New York wineries entered, the largest number of any competition in the country. Leading the New York Gold Rush was Zugibe Vineyards 2009 Late Harvest Riesling, which took the John Rose Trophy for Best Riesling in the competition. Double Gold medals also went to Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Late Harvest Riesling;  Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2009 Gewurztraminer; Red Newt 2009 Riesling; Wagner Vineyards 2008 Riesling; and White Springs Winery 2009 Riesling. Gold medals went to Belhurst Winery 2009 Dry Riesling; Fox Run Vineyards 2008 Tierce; Glenora Wine Cellars 2009 Riesling Iced; Lakewood Vineyards 2009 Vignoles and 2009 Riesling; Miles Wine Cellars 2008 Lemberger; Red Newt 2009 "Circle" Label Riesling; and Torrey Ridge Catawba.

2011 New World International Wine Competition
Belhurst Estate Winery 2009 Dry Riesling took "Best New World" in their category where they also got Platinum, Best of Class and Best of Varietal designations on their way to the top. Best of Class honors with Gold medals went to Belhurst Estate Winery 2009 Gewurztraminer and Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Pinot Noir. Additional Gold medals were awarded to Belhurst Estate Winery 2009 Pinot Grigio; and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc.

2011 Grand Harvest Awards
Gold medals were awarded to Anthony Road Wine Company 2008 Tierce Riesling (a collaborative wine made by the wine makers from that winery along with Fox Run Vineyards and Red Newt Cellars); Belhurst Estate Winery 2009 Dry Riesling and 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling; and Ventosa Vineyards 2009 Riesling.

2011 Florida State Fair International Wine Competition
Lakewood Vineyards received Double Golds for its 2009 Riesling, 2009 Dry Riesling, and 2009 Vignoles, along with a Gold for its 2009 Chardonnay, one Silver and three Bronze medals. A Double Gold medal was awarded to Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards for their White Stag. Gold medals went to Anthony Road Wine Company 2008 Vignoles Trockenbeeren Martini Reinhardt Selection; Belhurst Estate Winery Isabella Sparkling; Glenora Wine Cellars 2009 Barrel Fermented Pinot Blanc and Cayuga White; Hazlitt 1852 Brambleberry; and Torrey Ridge Winery Scarlet Red, Cousin Emmy Lou, and Niagara.

New York gold flowed from the 2010 Wine Lovers of Tasters Guild Consumers Wine Judging in Washington, DC, a unique competition in that all the judges are non-professional wine consumers, similar to the Golden Nose Award competition hosted by the New York Wine and Culinary Center. A Double Gold medal went to Chateau LaFayette Reneau for their 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling, while Gold medals were awarded to Belhurst 2009 Dry Riesling, 2008 Cabernet Franc, 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling and Carrie Blush; Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Dry Riesling; Glenora 2008 Merlot; Knapp 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling; Lakewood 2009 Long Stem White and 2009 Niagara; and Wagner 2009 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine.

The 2010 New York Wine & Food Classic, held at the superb Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, featured Torrey Ridge Winery Scarlet Red (Best Specialty Wine), and Finger Lakes Distilling Seneca Drums Gin (Best Spirit) taking home top awards. Belhurst Winery's 2009 Riesling took the 'Best of Show/Wine of the Year' honors over 2,600 other wines from around the world at this week's 2010 Indy International Wine Competition held at Purdue University. Concordance honors (comparable to a Double Gold) were also awarded to Torrey Ridge Daisy-Moo (French-American Blend); Hazlitt 2008 Vidal Ice Wine; Belhurst 2009 Gewuztraminer; Belhurst 2009 Dry Riesling, and Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2009 Dry Riesling. Gold Medals also were awarded to Seneca Lake Wineries as follows:Lakewood Vineyards 2009 Catawba, 2009 Niagara, and 2009 Vignoles; Penguin Bay Percussion; Hazlitt 2009 Pinot Gris and Merritt Estate Pinot Gris; Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2009 Dry Riesling, Hazlitt 2009 Riesling, Earle Estates Pear Mead; and Belhurst 2006 Tower Port.

Torrey Ridge Diamond took a Best of Show honor at the 2010 Big E Northeast wine competition

Click on the "Read More" link below for additional information on the terrific wines and wineries on Seneca Lake including numerous listings of medals and awards won.

For more information on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail please call us during regular business hours toll-free at 877-536-2717, or click on the Contact Us link under the Info tab above.