Latest awards and accolades for the Finger Lakes wine region

Finger Lakes wineries have received several state and national accolades over the past couple of months.

USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice poll

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery on Keuka Lake won best winery tour for the second straight year in the USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice poll. The poll cited the historic winery's 1886 Food and Wine Experience, in which guests participate in a guided tour followed by a seated wine tasting paired with seasonal small bites.

The 1886 Food & Wine Experience takes place within the historic Chateau Frank. Each day features a different vineyard or winemaking experience, which are offered at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, May 18 through Oct. 30. The cost is $75 per person.

Dr. Frank also took third place in the category of Best Wine Tasting Room. "Their modern tasting rooms provide knowledgeable staff, exceptional views and personalized experiences for their guests," the website noted. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, at 9749 Middle Road in Hammondsport, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Experience! The Finger Lakes placed eighth in Best Wine Tour Companies. Its tours on Cayuga, Seneca and Keuka Lakes give guests behind-the-scenes and curated experiences not typically available to the general public.

Hillick & Hobbs in Burdett placed ninth in Best New Winery Experiences, noting that its dry rieslings are crafted by award-winning winemaker Paul Hobbs. The winery was one of the first in the Finger Lakes to mimic winegrowing in the Mosel region of Germany, with vines running up and down the slopes surrounding Seneca Lake. Visitors can book tastings or bottle service and take in panoramic views of the lake.

More about Hillick and Hobbs: How this Finger Lakes winery became a legendary winemaker's most expensive project yet

The picturesque Finger Lakes wine region was named the 4th-best wine region in the poll. The top finishers were Paso Robles, California; Temecula Valley, California; and Grand Valley, Colorado.

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts, and 10Best editors narrow the field to select the nominees. The winners are determined by online voting. 10Best.com was acquired by USA Today in January 2013.

New York Wine Classic

The New York Wine Classic, which was held in July, included 749 entries from 108 wineries from across New York state. A total of 10 platinum, 320 gold, 294 silver, and 81 bronze medals were awarded.

Two Finger Lakes wines were named best in their categories.

∎ The Boundary Breaks 2022 Gewurztraminer was named best white wine.

∎ The Keuka Spring Vineyards 2021 Blaufrankisch was named best red wine.

There were also several Best of Class winners from the Finger Lakes:

∎ Best Fortified (port-like): Weis Vineyards non-vintage One Eighty Three Dessert Wine

∎ Best Gewurztraminer: Boundary Breaks 2022 Gewurztraminer

∎ Best Gruner Veltliner: Dr. Konstantin Frank 2021 Gruner Veltliner

∎ Best Iced Wine (frozen After Harvest): Boundary Breaks 2020 Riesling Ice Wine

∎ Best Lemberger/Blaufränkisch: Keuka Spring Vineyards 2021 Blaufränkisch

∎ Best Other Red Vinifera Varietal: Dr. Konstantin Frank 2020 Reserve Saperavi

∎ Best Other Vinifera White Varietal: Sheldrake Point Winery 2022 Blanc De Noir Gamay

∎ Best Pétillant Naturel (Pét-Nat): Toast Winery 2022 Pétillant Naturel, White Muscat

∎ Best Petit Verdot: Château LaFayette Reneau, 2018 Estate Petit Verdot

∎ Best Red Blend (Vinifera & Non-Vinifera): Knapp Winery, non-vintage Pasta Red Reserve

∎ Best Riesling (Dry) / Best Overall Riesling: Anthony Road 2017 Art Series Riesling

∎ Best Riesling (Medium Dry): Sheldrake Point Winery 2021 Estate Riesling

∎ Best Riesling (Medium Sweet): Dr. Konstantin Frank 2021 Reserve Medium Sweet

∎ Best Riesling (Sweet): Weis Vineyards 2021 Winzer Select A Riesling

∎ Best Syrah: Château LaFayette Reneau 2018 Estate Syrah

∎ Best Traminette: CuKi Fine Wines 2016 Serenity Traminette

∎ Best White Blend (Vinifera): Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards non-vintage Schooner White Blend

The New York Wine Classic is annually hosted by The New York Wine & Grape Foundation.

For a full list of medalists, click here.

Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition

The Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition, a charitable wine and spirits competition, was held in Rochester from June 12 through 14. Award-winning wines and spirits from the competition will be showcased at an auction and dinner to benefit Camp Good Days & Special Times on Oct. 28 at the Holiday Inn Downtown.

The winners from the Finger Lakes were:

∎ Best in Class Unoaked Chardonnay: Bright Leaf Vineyard 2021 Unoaked Chardonnay

∎ Best in Class Off Dry Riesling: Fox Run Vineyards 2021 Semi-Dry Riesling

∎ Best Brandy: Alder Creek Distillery Nashi Pear Brandy

∎ Best Flavored Vodka: Mushroom Spirits Distillery Shiitake Vodka

For a complete list of medalists click here.

Food, drink and culture reporter Tracy Schuhmacher holds a Level 3 Wine certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Send winery news to TracyS@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Awards and accolades for the Finger Lakes NY wine region in 2023