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New York''s best wines and top winery for 2025: And the winners are ...

New York State has long been recognized as a powerhouse in the American wine industry, and the results of the 2025 New York Wine Classic solidify its reputation as a premier wine-producing region. This annual competition, organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, showcases the diversity and quality of wines produced across the state, from the Finger Lakes to Long Island, and from the Hudson Valley to the Niagara Escarpment. The 2025 awards highlight not only the exceptional wines but also the wineries and individuals who continue to elevate New York’s standing in the global wine community. With a record number of entries this year, the competition underscores the innovation, craftsmanship, and passion that define the state’s viticultural landscape.

The New York Wine Classic is a prestigious event that brings together winemakers, judges, and industry experts to evaluate wines across a wide range of categories, including reds, whites, rosés, sparkling wines, and dessert wines. The judging process is rigorous, with blind tastings conducted by a panel of esteemed wine professionals who assess each entry based on aroma, taste, balance, and overall quality. The competition not only celebrates the best wines of the year but also serves as a platform to promote New York’s wine regions to a broader audience, encouraging tourism and appreciation for the state’s unique terroir and grape varieties.

One of the standout winners of the 2025 New York Wine Classic is Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, located in the Finger Lakes region, which was named Winery of the Year. This historic winery, founded in 1962 by Dr. Konstantin Frank, a Ukrainian immigrant and viticulturist, has been a pioneer in the New York wine industry. Dr. Frank’s vision to grow European vinifera grapes in the cool climate of the Finger Lakes revolutionized winemaking in the region, proving that varieties like Riesling and Chardonnay could thrive in New York’s challenging conditions. Today, the winery remains family-owned and operated, with the fourth generation of the Frank family continuing to uphold the legacy of innovation and excellence. Their recognition as Winery of the Year in 2025 is a testament to their consistent production of world-class wines and their dedication to pushing the boundaries of what New York wine can achieve.

Among the top wines honored at the 2025 competition, the Best Overall Wine award went to a Riesling from the Finger Lakes, a region often hailed as the heart of New York’s wine country. Riesling has become synonymous with the Finger Lakes, thanks to the area’s cool climate and slate-rich soils, which impart a distinctive minerality and crisp acidity to the wines. The winning Riesling was praised for its vibrant fruit flavors, balanced sweetness, and elegant structure, embodying the characteristics that have made Finger Lakes Rieslings a favorite among wine enthusiasts and critics alike. This award further cements the region’s reputation as a leader in producing white wines of exceptional quality, often compared to those from renowned regions like Alsace and the Mosel Valley in Europe.

In addition to the Best Overall Wine, the competition recognized excellence across various categories, showcasing the diversity of New York’s wine offerings. A Cabernet Franc from Long Island took home the award for Best Red Wine, highlighting the region’s growing prominence in producing bold, complex reds. Long Island’s maritime climate, with its warm days and cool nights, provides ideal conditions for grapes like Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The winning wine was noted for its rich berry flavors, subtle herbal notes, and well-integrated tannins, reflecting the unique terroir of the North Fork and South Fork. This recognition underscores Long Island’s evolution from a nascent wine region to a serious contender on the national stage, attracting attention from sommeliers and collectors seeking distinctive American reds.

The Hudson Valley, another key wine region in New York, also made a strong showing at the 2025 New York Wine Classic. Known for its historic vineyards and boutique wineries, the Hudson Valley has a winemaking tradition dating back to the 17th century, making it one of the oldest wine-producing areas in the United States. A sparkling wine from the region was awarded Best Sparkling Wine, celebrated for its fine bubbles, refreshing acidity, and nuanced flavors of citrus and green apple. Sparkling wines have become a growing category in New York, with producers experimenting with traditional méthode champenoise techniques as well as modern approaches to create effervescent wines that rival those from Champagne and other sparkling wine regions. The Hudson Valley’s success in this category reflects the region’s versatility and its ability to produce wines that cater to a wide range of palates and occasions.

Beyond the major awards, the 2025 competition also honored a dessert wine from the Niagara Escarpment as Best Dessert Wine. This region, located near the Canadian border, benefits from cold winters that are ideal for producing ice wines and late-harvest wines. The winning dessert wine, made from Vidal Blanc, was lauded for its luscious sweetness, balanced by bright acidity, and complex notes of honey, apricot, and candied citrus peel. Dessert wines from the Niagara Escarpment have gained a loyal following for their intensity and craftsmanship, often served as a perfect pairing for rich desserts or enjoyed on their own as a decadent treat. This award highlights the region’s niche expertise in sweet wines and its contribution to the diversity of New York’s wine portfolio.

The New York Wine Classic also recognized individual achievements within the industry, celebrating the people behind the wines. The Winemaker of the Year award was given to a visionary from the Finger Lakes who has spent decades refining their craft and mentoring the next generation of winemakers. This individual’s dedication to sustainable viticulture and innovative winemaking techniques has not only elevated their own winery but also inspired others in the region to strive for excellence. Such recognition emphasizes the importance of leadership and collaboration in the New York wine community, where winemakers often share knowledge and resources to collectively improve the quality and reputation of the state’s wines.

The 2025 awards also shed light on emerging trends in New York winemaking, such as the increasing popularity of hybrid grape varieties and natural winemaking practices. Hybrid grapes, developed to withstand the state’s harsh winters and resist disease, have allowed wineries in colder regions like the Finger Lakes and Niagara Escarpment to produce unique wines with local character. Meanwhile, a growing number of producers are embracing minimal-intervention techniques, using native yeasts and reducing the use of additives to create wines that express the raw essence of the grape and the land. These trends reflect a broader movement within the industry toward authenticity and sustainability, resonating with consumers who value transparency and environmental stewardship in the wines they choose to drink.

The success of the 2025 New York Wine Classic is a celebration of the state’s rich winemaking heritage and its bright future. From the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes to the coastal vineyards of Long Island, and from the historic estates of the Hudson Valley to the frosty slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, New York’s wine regions offer a tapestry of flavors and styles that rival any wine-producing area in the world. The awards not only honor the best wines and wineries of the year but also serve as an invitation for wine lovers to explore the state’s diverse offerings. Whether it’s a crisp Riesling enjoyed on a summer afternoon, a robust Cabernet Franc paired with a hearty meal, or a delicate sparkling wine toasted at a celebration, New York wines have something to offer for every occasion and palate.

In conclusion, the 2025 New York Wine Classic reaffirms the state’s position as a leader in American winemaking, showcasing the talent, innovation, and passion that define its wine industry. The winners, from Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery to the individual winemakers and standout wines across various categories, represent the pinnacle of what New York has to offer. As the industry continues to grow and evolve, these awards highlight the importance of quality, diversity, and community in shaping the future of New York wine. For anyone looking to discover exceptional wines with a true sense of place, New York’s vineyards and tasting rooms await, promising unforgettable experiences and bottles that tell the story of the land and the people who cultivate it.

Read the Full Upstate New York Article at:
[ https://www.newyorkupstate.com/wine-tours/2025/07/new-yorks-best-wines-and-top-winery-for-2025-and-the-winners-are.html ]