North Fork Vineyards Win Top Honors At 2021 New York Wine Classic

NORTH FORK, NY — North Fork vineyards took home top honors in the 2021 Wine Classic event.

On Thursday, the top winners of the 35th annual New York Wine Classic, a nationally recognized competition highlighting the best of New York's wine, were announced by New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul during a special live virtual event hosted by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation.

The Governor's Cup, "the most esteemed award given at the Classic", was presented to Pindar Vineyards for its 2019 Dr. Dan's Signature Collection, Gewurztraminer, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a release. In addition, Aquebogue's Paumanok Vineyards was presented with the Winery of the Year award.

"Congratulations to Pindar Vineyards and Paumanok Vineyards for not only the recognition they won in the competition, but also for showcasing why New York State is a premier wine destination," Cuomo said. "Thanks to our strategic investments, New York's wine industry has seen unprecedented growth over these past few years, and as we reopen our state, wine enthusiasts can enjoy this unique part of the New York experience all across the state."

The pandemic created challenges for the wine industry, but New York's wineries and vineyards "adapted, innovated, and continued to create some of the country's best wines," Hochul said.

From Long Island to Lake Erie, New York is now home to more than 1,200 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries, she said.

In addition to winning the Governor's Cup, Pindar Vineyards, based in Peconic, also received the only platinum medal of the competition for "Best White Wine". Pindar Vineyards was founded by Dr. Herodotus "Dan" Damianos in the early 1980s and continues today to be a family-run operation.

Paumanok Vineyards also took home gold medals in "Best Vinifera Red Blend," "Best Traditional Method Sparkling Wine," and "Best Sauvignon Blanc," a release from Cuomo's office said.

Paumanok is owned and managed by Ursula and Charles Massoud and their three sons.

Pindar Vineyards owner and general manager Pindar Damianos reflected on the honor: "Pindar Vineyards is so proud to have won the 2021 Governor's Cup for our 2019 Gewürztraminer. This has been a true testament to our dedication to winemaking on Long Island. We're proud to release this wine with the Dr. Dan's label in honor of our founder, Dr. Damianos, to celebrate our 40th anniversary. We thank the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, the New York Wine Classic, and the Beverage Testing Institute for this great award."

Paumanok Vineyards Winemaker Kareem Massoud added: "We are thrilled and honored to receive the 2021 Winery of the Year award at the New York Wine Classic. We thank the New York Wine & Grape Foundation for producing this event. Above all, we thank our entire hard-working team at Paumanok Vineyards for their commitment to producing outstanding, delicious wines."

"Best in Category" winners were also announced:

Governor's Cup and Best White Wine
Pindar Vineyards
Dr. Dan's Signature Collection
Gewurztraminer 2019

Best Sparkling Wine
Paumanok Vineyards
Blanc De Blancs 2016

Best Pink Wine
Ryan William Vineyard
Pinot Noir Rose 2019

Best Red Wine
Paumanok Vineyards
Assemblage 2015

Best Dessert Wine
Boundary Breaks
Riesling Ice Wine

"Best of Class" winners of the New York Wine Classic were announced on February 24. The results can be found here.

New York State Liquor Authority Chairman Vincent Bradley also spoke out on the competition. "Following the challenges the industry faced this year, the New York Wine Classic is a welcomed opportunity to celebrate our wineries, winemakers, and grape growers, who are producing world-class wines and spurring economic growth, driving tourism and creating jobs in every corner of the state."