Six generations of know-how and passion spread across two continents went into Weis Vineyards’ wins at the 38th Annual New York Wine Classic.
“I grew up on vineyards in the Mosel,” says Hans Peter Weis, the German-born winemaker and co-owner of Weis Vineyards with his wife Ashlee Weis. “Winegrowing and winemaking have always been a part of my life, and my family’s life going back six generations in the Mosel. But we’re a relatively new winery, so these wins were very exciting for both of us.”
Weis Vineyards snagged Winery of the Year and the prestigious Governor’s Cup for their 2018 Riesling Ice Wine. Winery of the Year is presented to the winery with the best overall showing based on the level and number of awards received. The Governor’s Cup is the most sought-after award, recognizing the Best of Show across all categories.
Wanda Mann, East Coast Editor of ‘The SOMM Journal’ and Founder of ‘Wine with Wanda’, announced the winners during a live event hosted and organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF). The New York Wine Classic is an annual event that celebrates the best-in-class wines from producers across the Empire State. To evaluate the 715 entries from 92 wineries across the state, the NYWGF partnered with the Beverage Tasting Institute to judge the competition.
In total, 2 Platinum, 190 Gold, 397 Silver, and 116 Bronze medals were awarded.
Journey from the Mosel to the FLX
Weis’ journey from his family’s vineyards in Zell Mosel to his very own cellar in Hammondsport was circuitous.
“I of course grew up making and growing wine with my family, and then I went on to study winemaking, business, and agriculture in Germany, and after receiving my degree, I decided to travel to the U.S. and experienced a vintage in Sonoma,” Weis recalls. “Then I visited Dr. Frank’s winery.”
Like many wine lovers before him, after encountering the pioneering, historical, region-shaping Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in Hammondsport, Weis decided he had to work there, and before he knew it, Finger Lakes was home.
The climate, the mineral-rich terroir around Keuka Lake, and the opportunity to craft German-style wines in a new world captivated him and after meeting and marrying his wife Ashlee, the pair decided to begin their own adventure a decade after joining Dr. Frank.
“We jumped in feet first, doing everything ourselves, together,” Weis says. “We operated out of a one-room schoolhouse.”
A Steady Arc of Growth + a Big Victory
The first year, they didn’t have vineyards, just relationships with quality and sustainably-minded growers the pair knew well and trusted. Their initial output was about 1,200 cases. Since 2016, they have grown steadily. They currently have 25 acres of grapes under vine, and they work with a network of 22 growers. Weis now produces 19,000 cases annually and it has a dedicated tasting space, an expanded production facility, and a growing network of distribution around New York. (Hans and Ashlee also have a 4-year-old team member and future viticulture heir, Peter William Weis).
“We have worked so hard, and we didn’t expect this recognition at all, which makes it especially sweet,” Weis says. “I always say, ‘Don’t expect anything.’ And then when you get something like this? We are just so happy.”
The Governor’s Cup win felt like a huge coup considering Weis’ complete disdain for the wine initially.
“2018 was a very wet year,” Weis recalls. “The grapes I had hanging for ice wine had more botrytis than I would like.”
Botrytis is a parasitic fungus that, when it behaves, transforms grapes into concentrated carriers of perfectly balanced sugar and acid, with the ability to create ethereal, complex dessert wines that are as bright as they are sweet.
“When I initially tasted it I felt it was not typical, and was quite frankly, ugly,” he says. “I was not happy and not ready to release it. But that ugly duck turned into a swan over time. Last year I tasted it and I thought ‘Wow!’ It was beautiful.”
It was a small production though, and just a few bottles remain. Weis says they are still determining how to share their spoils with wine lovers.
“We may make it an exclusive for our wine club members, or we may offer it at special tastings,” Weis says.
Want a sip of heaven? Reach out now, before it’s too late. Learn more about Weis Vineyards at www.weisvineyards.com.
