01/02/2020
Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery turned the page on four decades of producing world-renown Finger Lakes wines with its most accomplished year to date. In total, Wagner Vineyards garnered more than 80 awards in 2019, from scores of 90+ points in premier publications to the Winery of the Year distinction from the prestigious New York Wine Classic.
“Our team has worked tirelessly in the pursuit of excellence from our vineyards to the winery, and we are extremely honored with the accolades that we received this year,” co-owner and General Manager John Wagner said.
Seven estate-grown wines contributed to the New York Wine Classic award, including the 2017 Riesling Dry, which took home a Double Gold medal and was named Best Riesling on its way to Best White Wine in a competition that featured 113 wineries from across the state.
Wagner Vineyards achieved international recognition as well, with 10 wines earning scores of 90 points or above across esteemed endemic entities such as Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate (full list below).
Wagner Vineyards won 78 medals – 36 Gold or higher – across 16 international competitions. The 2017 Riesling Semi Dry led the way with 10 accolades of Gold or higher, including Best in Show Riesling at the Great American International Wine Competition, Platinum at the San Diego International Wine Challenge, and Double Gold at the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition.
The success culminated closer to home in December, when the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce endowed Wagner Vineyards with its Business of the Year award. The Chamber will honor Wagner Vineyards at its annual dinner and awards banquet at del Lago Resort and Casino on Jan. 16, 2020.
“The cool, wet spring of 2019 made for a later-than-average harvest for us this year. Fortunately we had beautiful ripening weather this fall, and the fruit from our vineyards was able to fully ripen and develop great varietal character,” John Wagner said. “Most of our fermentations have now wrapped up, and we are very optimistic that the 2019 wines will carry on the tradition of quality for Wagner Vineyards.”
For more information on Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery, please visit www.wagnervineyards.com.
2019 Ratings over 90 points
2018 Riesling Caywood East Vineyard: 92 (Wine Enthusiast “Editors’ Choice”)
2017 Riesling Ice: 91 (Wine Advocate)
2012 Meritage: 91 (Vinous)
2017 Gewurztraminer Dry: 90 (Wine Enthusiast “Best Buy”)
2017 Riesling Dry: 90 (Wine Enthusiast)
2017 Riesling Select: 90 (Wine Enthusiast)
2017 Riesling Semi Dry: 90 (Wine Enthusiast)
2016 Cabernet Franc: 90 (Wine Advocate)
2017 Fathom 107: 90 (Vinous)
2017 Chardonnay Unoaked: 90 (Vinous)
