A $14 Riesling from New York's Finger Lakes has won the top award at the New York Wine & Food Classic competition.

This is the first time Anthony Road Wine Company in Seneca Lake has taken the Governor’s Cup prize.

Anthony Road’s owner John Martini told decanter.com, ‘I think New York’s winemakers are learning that good wine starts in the vineyard, and paying attention to what more sophisticated consumers want to drink,’ Martini told

‘We used to be known for making very sweet wines, but we’re making more complex and interesting, and gaining respect for it.’

Sheldrake Point Vineyard, located on neighbouring Cayuga Lake, was named Winery of the Year for its 2008 late-harvest Riesling, 2007 Riesling and cider ice wine.

The annual two-day contest is open to more than 250 New York wineries, which dot the state from Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie, to the Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley, as well as Long Island.

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Written by Maggie Rosen

Maggie Rosen
Maggie Rosen
Decanter Magazine, Wine Writer & Editor

Maggie Rosen is a wine journalist, editor and author, hailing from New York but based in London. Aside from Decanter, she has contributed to the Financial Times, The Drinks Business, Harpers Wine and Spirit Weekly, The Wall Street Journal, The World of Fine Wine and Meininger's Wine Business International. She is also a member of the Circle of Wine Writers.