Staff Report / June 29, 2026
ROCHESTER — The global wine world converged on Rochester recently, and when the glasses were cleared, the Finger Lakes region once again cemented its status as an elite viticultural powerhouse.
Local vintners dominated the podium at the 26th annual Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition. Evaluated through a rigorous, completely blind tasting process, roughly 1,100 global entries were scrutinized by an elite panel of international judges, including sommeliers, distillers, winemakers, and educators. While competitors spanned the United States and Canada, the home turf proved legendary, with local bottles sweeping the highly coveted “Best in Class” designations across multiple competitive styles.
Beyond the prestige, the competition proudly serves a dual purpose as one of the world’s largest charitable wine events. All proceeds directly fund the year-round, free programs operated by Camp Good Days & Special Times, a nonprofit providing critical support for families and individuals navigating cancer and sickle cell anemia diagnoses. The celebration of these victorious bottles will culminate on October 30 during the organization’s Annual Wine & Spirits Auction Gala, offering the public a rare chance to sample and bid on these globally recognized liquids.
Among the standout regional performers driving the Finger Lakes to the top of the leaderboards were:
- Anthony Road Wine Company: Clinched the ultimate crown for Best Dry Riesling with its celebrated 2019 Art Series Riesling.
- Lakewood Vineyards: Secured the title for Best Medium Sweet Riesling courtesy of its vibrant 2024 Full Monty Riesling.
- Three Brothers Wineries and Estates: Captured the Best Non-Dry Riesling honor with its 2025 First Degree Semi-Dry Riesling.
- Montezuma Winery & Hidden Marsh Distillery: Brought home top marks for the effervescent category, winning Best Sparkling Pétillant Naturel.
- Keuka Spring Vineyards: Stood out in alternative bubbles, walking away with the Best Non-Traditional Sparkling Wine trophy.
- Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards & Casa Larga Vineyards: Rounded out the local champions, earning Best Rosé and Best Ice Wine, respectively.
The widespread success at this year’s judging panel reinforces what local tasting rooms have known for years: the unique microclimates of our deep glacial lakes yield cool-climate varietals that easily go toe-to-toe with the best bottles in the world.
