Ryan William Vineyard Earns Governor’s Cup for 2025 Pinot Blanc; Weis Vineyards Named Winery of the Year for Third Consecutive Year
Winners of the 2026 New York Wine Classic were announced tonight during a live virtual Awards Ceremony hosted by Wanda Mann, East Coast Editor of The SOMM Journal & Tasting Panel and founder of Wine With Wanda. Organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF), the New York Wine Classic is the state’s premier wine competition, celebrating its 40th Anniversary and four decades of excellence, innovation, and the extraordinary range of wines produced across New York State.
Ryan William Vineyard of Burdett in the Finger Lakes earned the competition’s highest honor, the Governor’s Cup, for their 2025 Pinot Blanc, recognized as the best wine in the competition. Weis Vineyards of Hammondsport, also in the Finger Lakes, was named Winery of the Year for the third consecutive year and the fourth time overall, in recognition of their exceptional performance across multiple categories. The back-to-back-to-back recognition for Weis Vineyards underscores what has made them one of New York’s most celebrated producers, a relentless commitment to quality and a deep understanding of what cool-climate viticulture can achieve.
“Congratulations to Ryan William Vineyard, Weis Vineyards, and every winery who participated in this year’s Wine Classic,” Governor Hochul said. “From the vineyards of the Finger Lakes to wineries across the state, New York’s wine industry represents the very best of our agricultural heritage, innovation and craftsmanship. These award-winning producers are creating exceptional products, supporting good-paying jobs and helping showcase New York State as a world-class destination for wine lovers everywhere.”
This year’s competition saw more than 100 wineries submit over 700 wines, one of the largest showings in the competition’s history, with medals awarded across Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. In total, 14 Platinum, 282 Gold, 296 Silver, and 106 Bronze medals were awarded. Wines were evaluated using a blind tasting format by the expert sensory panel at the Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest), comprising sommeliers, beverage directors, educators, retail buyers, and seasoned industry professionals.
“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. “Our cool-climate regions are exceptionally well-suited for the elegant, complex varieties and styles that today’s wine drinkers are seeking. Congratulations to Ryan William Vineyard, Weis Vineyards, and every winery that entered their wines this year, the breadth of excellence on display, spanning Lake Erie and the Niagara Escarpment in the west, the Finger Lake at the state’s center, and the Hudson Valley and Long Island in the east, reflects an industry that has spent decades honing its craft. As New York wines continue to earn recognition in markets across the country and around the world, the New York Wine Classic remains one of the most important platforms we have to celebrate the producers leading that charge.”
“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,” said Wanda 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.”
2026 Governor’s Cup
Ryan William Vineyard, 2025 Pinot Blanc, Burdett, Finger Lakes
2026 Winery of the Year
Weis Vineyards, Hammondsport, Finger Lakes
2026 Best of Category
- Best Sparkling: Milea Family Wines Hudson Valley Vineyards, Right Bank Blanc De Blancs, Staatsburg, Hudson Valley
- Best White: Ryan William Vineyard, 2025 Pinot Blanc, Burdett, Finger Lakes
- Best Pink: Weis Vineyards, 2025 Zweigelt Dry Rosé, Hammondsport, Finger Lakes
- Best Red: Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, 2024 Cabernet Franc Clone 623, Millbrook, Hudson Valley
- Best Dessert: Weis Vineyards, 2024 Riesling Ice Wine, Hammondsport, Finger Lakes
“This is a decades-long dream come true,” said Ryan Bossert, Owner and Founder of Ryan William Vineyard. “We are profoundly humbled and thrilled to see our work and dedication to our farm recognized on such a prestigious stage. This achievement belongs to all the phenomenal people who make up our vineyard, winery, tasting room, and restaurant teams. We share this proud moment with our supporters and everyone who has believed in us throughout our winemaking journey. We strive to let our grapes speak for themselves, and this honor proves we are capturing the true essence of our vineyard. Thank you so much for this incredible honor!”
“We’re incredibly honored to be named Winery of the Year,” said Peter and Ashlee Weis of Weis Vineyards. “To be recognized alongside so many talented New York wineries is something we’ll never take for granted. This award belongs to our entire team, as well as the incredible grape growers we have the privilege of working with. Their passion, hard work, and commitment to quality are what make recognitions like this possible. To our customers, friends, and community, thank you for believing in what we do and supporting us year after year. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Finger Lakes wine community and are excited for what’s ahead. Zum Wohl!”
The New York Wine Classic has recognized excellence in New York winemaking since 1985, highlighting wines produced across the state’s distinct American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), including Lake Erie, Niagara Escarpment, Finger Lakes, Upper Hudson, Hudson River Region, Champlain Valley of New York, and Long Island. For a full list of Best of Class and medal winners, visit newyorkwines.org/classic/new-york-wine-classic-2026/.
