Sherwood House Vineyards took home the award for Best Spirits at this week’s New York State Fair annual commercial wine competition.
The Jamesport winery won the top honor for its XO Brandy – Chardonnay and was the only North Fork vineyard to place first in any of the competition’s 11 categories. Pellegrini Vineyards, Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards and Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard also medaled in the event.
The XO Brandy – Chardonnay is the first artisanal aged brandy produced on Long Island. Chardonnay was used as the base, then it was double-distilled and aged for 3 years in new French oak. Smooth and velvety, the brandy has flavors of walnut, almond and vanilla and spicy hints of ginger and cinnamon. Only 900 bottles were produced, according to Sherwood House’s website.
The state’s commercial wine competition is a part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s ongoing Taste NY campaign, which aims to bring New York produced farm-based beverages to a wider audience.
In total, 330 awards were given to commercial wines and spirits after judging that took place this week at the State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.