On Tuesday, August 10, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation announced the 2026 winners of the annual statewide competition, the New York Wine Classic. The 40-year-old competition is the opportunity for all Empire State wineries to compete for top medals as discerned by an unbiased panel of expert judges from the Beverage Testing Institute, as well as the most important prizes in the state: best-in-state awards as well as the ultimate prize, the Governor’s Cup.
“New York is consistently producing world-class wines, and competitions like this one give us the opportunity to share that story with a broader audience,” said Sam Filler, executive director of the NYWGF in a statement to the press. “Our cool-climate regions are exceptionally well-suited for the elegant, complex varieties and styles that today’s wine drinkers are seeking.”
This year, more than 100 wineries submitted over 700 wines to be in the running for the best in state. Long Island wineries grabbed 152 platinum, gold, silver and bronze medals among 19 different wineries and label designations.
The ceremony was presided over by wine journalist and East Coast editor of The Somm Journal and Tasting Panel magazines, and while Long Island wineries didn’t grab the tip-top honors this year (although several have in the recent past) — the Governor’s Cup was awarded to Ryan William Vineyard on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes — our wine region did us proud with a truckload of medals garnered for excellent wines across both forks.
“The 2026 New York Wine Classic Awards are more than a celebration of the winning wineries — they’re confirmation that the Empire State’s winemaking prowess can’t be underestimated,” says Mann. “The honored wineries speak to the quality, diversity, and creativity of New York wines. Stop calling us an up-and-coming region; New York has arrived.”
Here’s a list of the platinum and gold winners from our very own Long Island AVA (American Viticultural Area) along — and, if we may say, the wines you should consider getting your hands on pronto before they sell out post-award ceremony.
- Duck Walk Vineyards, 2020 Pinot Muenier, $27 — Platinum
- Wölffer Estate Vineyard, 2022 “Cassango” Cabernet Sauvignon — Platinum
- Paumanok Vineyards, 2025 Semi-Dry Riesling, $24 — Gold
- Jason’s Vineyard, 2019 Merlot, $35 Gold
- Peconic Bay Vineyards, 2022 Chardonnay, $28 — Gold
- Jason’s Vineyard, NV Bubbly Rosé, $35 — Gold
- Pindar Vineyards, 2015 Cabernet “Port,” $35 — Gold
- Pindar Vineyards, 2019 Syrah, $26 — Gold
- Pindar Vineyards, 2021 Cabernet Franc, $26 — Gold
- Sparkling Pointe, 2020 Blanc de Blancs, $48 — Gold
- Sparkling Pointe, 2019 Cuvée Cynthia Blanc de Noirs, $68 — Gold
- Pindar Vineyards, 2019 Reserve Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon, $36 — Gold
- Jason’s Vineyard, 2021 Meritage Red Blend, $37 — Gold
- Clovis Point, 2021 Petit Verdot, $75 — Gold
- Suhru Wines, NV Golden Muscat Sparkling, $26 — Gold
- Pindar Vineyards, 2024 Sunflower Special Reserve Chardonnay, #23 — Gold
- Pindar Vineyards, 2020 Cuvée Rare, $40 — Gold
- Pellegrini Vineyards, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, $39 — Gold
- Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards, 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, $45 — Gold
- Lieb Cellars, 2017 Estate Merlot, $70 — Gold
- Jason’s Vineyard, 2020 Malbec, $35 — Gold
- Harbes Vineyard, 2019 Proprietor’s Reserve Hallock Lane Merlot, $48 — Gold
- Duck Walk Vineyards, 2024 Riesling, $22 — Gold
- Duck Walk Vineyards, 2021 Malbec, $49 — Gold
- Clovis Point, 2022 Malbec, $45 — Gold
- Wölffer Estate Vineyard, 2025 Summer in a Bottle Rosé, $27 — Gold
For a full list of statewide winners, click here.
