Governor Kathy Hochul announced the winners of the 39th annual New York Wine Classic (NYWC) competition this week, with Rose Hill Vineyards in Mattituck bringing home the prestigious Governor’s Cup for their 2019 Clarity Cabernet Sauvignon. Weis Vineyards in the Finger Lakes region was named Winery of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Rose Hill Vineyards’ general manager Ami Opisso noted that “the Clarity Cabernet Sauvignon is our vineyard’s crown jewel. It exemplifies the quality, depth, and longevity that can be achieved in New York State wines when the stars align: an exceptional vintage, a vineyard at the peak of sustainable health, and a talented, non-compromising, purist winemaker.”
The competition, organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF), has recognized New York State wines since its inception in 1985 and continues to highlight the range of wines produced in the state’s American Viticultural Areas, which include Lake Erie, Niagara Escarpment, Finger Lakes, Upper Hudson, Hudson River Region, Champlain Valley of New York, and Long Island.
The Governor’s Cup is awarded to the wine deemed “Best in Show,” and the 2019 Clarity ($150) is described as “exceptional.”
“It begins with the growing season, which was near perfect in 2019,” says Rose Hill winemaker Patrick Caserta. “We had an extended warm summer and fall that ripened the grapes earlier than normal, but also just enough periods of light rain to allow for extended hang time and more flavor development. We harvested our Cabernet Sauvignon with perfect levels of acid, pH, sugar, tannin and total phenolics. The 2019 Clarity is very full-bodied with lots of black fruits, spice and concentration but also finely balanced with alcohol, tannins, fruit and acidity. The wine is built for long aging but also drinks so well now and since the day we bottled it.”
Other top-scoring North Fork wines at this year’s NYWC include Harbes Vineyard 2014 Proprietor’s Reserve Barrel Fermented Merlot, $75; Jason’s Vineyard 2020 Malbec, $35; Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards 2016 Reserve Blanc de Noir, $44; Paumanok Vineyards 2022 Late Harvest Sauvingnon Blanc, $50; and Peconic Bay Vineyards 2020 Solovyov Red Meritage, $55.
Many more North Fork Vineyards won gold medals at the competition (find the full list here). “It is great to see our friends and neighbors also receiving great recognition,” said Caserta.
The excellent showing by North Fork vineyards continues to elevate the reputation of Long Island wines. “New York State is the third-largest winemaking state in the US, and the North Fork of Long Island is one of the preeminent regions,” says Opisso. “Rose Hill is proud to be part of this small but highly distinguished group of producers. Together we keep raising the bar, and our healthy vineyards and beautiful wines are reflective of that.”
For Rose Hill, winning the Governor’s Cup award the first year of entering their wines in the NYWC competition is certainly gratifying. As Caserta points out, “our owners, the Frankel family, have invested in this winery from the day they purchased the property in 2017. They continue to inspire and motivate with their deep commitment as vintners and in the wine industry here on the North Fork. Our vineyard manager, Joe Torres, and [the] vineyard crew work tirelessly with great passion and care for our vines … to me, the wines begin with them.”
