The bubbly will likely be flowing at Sparkling Pointe this week, as the Southold winery was named “Winery of the Year” Wednesday at the New York Wine and Food Classic.
The event, considered the premier contest for New York wine, was held in upstate Watkins Glen Aug. 8-9.
The award was a tie between CK Cellars/Torrey Ridge Winery from the Finger Lakes Region and Sparkling Pointe. The North Fork vineyard, which makes exclusively sparkling wine, also won the “Best Sparkling Wine” award for its 2014 Topaz Imperial.
The “Winery of the Year” title goes to the winery with the best overall showing in the competition based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries.
“We applaud the winners in a very competitive event, as well as the strong support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and his administration for the New York wine industry” said Jim Trezise, former president of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which sponsors the event.
Twenty-one expert judges tasted the entries, which included 915 wines, 27 hard ciders and 16 spirits from across New York. Of the five “best of” winners, which are then considered for the Governors Cup, only Sparkling Pointe was from Long Island. The Governor’s Cup, the top prize in the competition, went to Buttonwood Grove Winery in Romulus for its riesling.
Sparkling Pointe was also recognized as having the best vinifera sparkling white for its 2012 Blanc de Blanc and best vinifera sparkling pink for its 2014 Topaz Imperial.
Additionally, Martha Clara Vineyards took home the award for best unoaked chardonnay and pinot noir and Paumanok Vineyards won for best sauvignon blanc, Kontokosta Winery for best “other” vinifera white (viognier), Bedell Cellars for best vinfera white blend (Taste White), Wölffer Estate Vineyard for best late harvest wine and Clovis Point for best syrah.
Previous “Winery of the Year” awards went to McCall Wines in 2013, Macari Vineyards in 2014 and Paumanok Vineyards in 2015.
