Adirondack Winery Lands 7 Medals at New York Wine Classic 2026
Adirondack Winery Earns Seven Medals at 2026 New York Wine Classic, Led by 95-Point Gold Medal Cabernet Sauvignon
Queensbury winery continues strong showing in New York’s premier wine competition with two Gold and four Silver medals among seven wines recognized
QUEENSBURY, NY — August 11 2026 — Adirondack Winery is celebrating another standout performance at the New York Wine Classic, earning seven medals at the 2026 competition, including two Gold Medals and an exceptional 95-point score for its 2024 Cabernet Sauvignon.
The annual New York Wine Classic, organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF), is considered New York State’s premier wine competition and celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. More than 100 wineries submitted over 700 wines to the 2026 competition, making it one of the largest showings in the competition’s history.
Adirondack Winery’s 2026 medal winners include:
GOLD MEDALS
- 2024 “View From the Point” Cabernet Sauvignon — 95 Points, Gold Medal
- 2024 “Story Teller” Baco Noir — 90 Points, Gold Medal
SILVER MEDALS
- 2025 “Blue Jay” Semi-Sweet Riesling — 87 Points, Silver Medal
- 2024 “Adirondack Overlook” Barrel-Aged Chardonnay — 86 Points, Silver Medal
- 2025 “Red Cardinal” Dry Riesling — 85 Points, Silver Medal
- 2024 “Radiant Bloom” Rosé — 85 Points, Silver Medal
BRONZE MEDAL
- 2023 Midnight Bubbly — 84 Points, Bronze Medal
The showing was led by Adirondack Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon crafted from grapes grown on the North Fork of Long Island. Its 95-point score placed it at the very top of the Gold Medal range, just one point shy of the competition’s Platinum Medal designation.
“This one is especially exciting for us,” said Sasha Pardy, Co-Owner and President of Adirondack Winery. “A 95-point score is an incredible recognition, but what makes us equally proud is seeing seven very different wines recognized across the board. From Cabernet Sauvignon and Baco Noir to Riesling, Chardonnay, Rosé and sparkling wine, these awards really speak to the quality and consistency our winemaking team is achieving throughout our portfolio.”
The 2026 results continue a strong run of recognition for Adirondack Winery at the New York Wine Classic. In 2025, the winery captured three Gold Medals, including a 93-point Gewürztraminer that was named Best Gewürztraminer in New York State, along with Gold Medals for its Dry Riesling and Cabernet Franc.
This year, Adirondack Winery’s red wine program took center stage. In addition to the 95-point Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery’s Baco Noir earned 90 points and a Gold Medal. Baco Noir, a French-American hybrid grape well suited to New York’s cool climate, has long been an important part of Adirondack Winery’s dry red portfolio and has won several Gold medals at other competitions in its past.
“We’ve spent years investing in our winemaking program, sourcing high-quality New York-grown grapes and we are continually refining what we do in the cellar,” said Courtney Rankin, Winemaker of Adirondack Winery. “Receiving this level of recognition through blind judging alongside some of the best wineries in New York State is incredibly rewarding. It tells us that the work our team is putting in every day is showing up in the bottle.”
The New York Wine Classic uses a blind tasting format, with wines evaluated by the expert sensory panel at the Beverage Testing Institute (BevTest), including sommeliers, beverage directors, educators, retail buyers and other experienced wine industry professionals. Under BevTest’s scoring system, wines scoring 90–95 points are classified as “Exceptional” and receive Gold Medals, while wines scoring 85–89 are considered “Highly Recommended” and receive Silver Medals.
The breadth of Adirondack Winery’s medal-winning lineup is particularly notable. Its seven recognized wines span red, white, rosé and sparkling styles, with fruit sourced from New York wine-growing regions including the Finger Lakes and the North Fork of Long Island.
Founded in 2008 by Sasha and Michael Pardy, Adirondack Winery has grown from producing at its small Lake George tasting room to producing at its state-of-the-art Winery and Vineyard on Big Bay Road in Queensbury, built in 2022. Today, the winery produces over 30 wines at its Queensbury headquarters and welcomes guests to taste its broad selection at both locations. Adirondack Winery wines are also available for purchase online and through over 400 retailers across New York State.
About the New York Wine Classic
Organized annually by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, the New York Wine Classic has recognized excellence in New York winemaking for 40 years. The 2026 competition drew more than 700 entries from over 100 wineries across New York State. Wines were evaluated through blind tastings conducted by the Beverage Testing Institute’s expert sensory panel.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Amber Fahlmann, Marketing Mgr, Adirondack Winery | afahlmann@adirondackwinery.com | 518-668-9463 |
About Adirondack Winery
Founded in 2008, Adirondack Winery is one of New York State’s most recognized wineries, producing more than 15,000 cases annually. Known for its innovative fruit-infused wines, premium vinifera wines, guided tasting experiences, and jam-packed events calendar, the company operates tasting rooms in Lake George and is headquartered in Queensbury, New York; ships to over 35 states and sold in over 400 stores and restaurants across New York. Adirondack Winery is also the parent company of Extreme Heights Cidery and producer of the annual Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, under parent company Adirondack Festivals LLC.
