Paumanok Vineyards wins Winery of the Year and Governor’s Cup at statewide competition

Aqueboque’s Paumanok Vineyards took home two prestigious awards in this year’s New York Wine Classic.

The vineyard won both the 2023 Governor’s Cup for its 2019 Sauvignon Blanc and Winery of the Year award. Seven Paumanok wines won awards at the event.

“We’re elated,” said Kareem Massoud, winemaker at Paumanok Vineyards, “elated and shocked. It’s kind of amazing that we won both the Governor’s Cup and the Winery of the Year, which are the two top awards.”

Every year, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation holds the New York Wine Classic. This year marks the 37th annual competition, where world-class New York winemakers show off their products.

“The New York Wine Classic celebrates the very best of the state’s wine and grape industry, and highlights our incredible, locally grown wine selections,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Congratulations to Paumanok Vineyards on receiving this reputable award. The wine industry in the State of New York is a crucial part of our agricultural economy, and I am proud to support the innovation, growth and success of our local farmers and wineries.”

Winery of the Year is presented to the winery with the best showing, having the highest scores among all of its submitted wines, while the Governor’s Cup is given to the single best wine at the show. This is the fourth time the Aquebogue vineyard has won Winery of the Year.

The wine that won the Governor’s Cup — “Best of Show” — Paumanok’s 2019 Late Harvest, Sauvignon Blanc, has a strong pedigree among Long Island wines. Its first vintage was made in 1992, according to Massoud, and its 1997 vintage was served at the NATO 50th Anniversary celebration. Later, in 2009, it would be served at the Governor’s Dinner with former President Barack Obama. The wine was declared the best dessert wine and best late harvest wine in the competition.

Paumanok’s awards come at the same time as the vineyard’s 40th anniversary. “My family and I are celebrating 40 years since… my parents purchased what used to be an old potato farm in Aquebogue, and so we cannot think of a better anniversary gift than winning both Governor’s Cup and Winery of the Year. It’s really quite an honor,” Massoud said.

Although Paumanok’s award-winning 2019 Sauvignon Blanc has sold out, its 2022 vintage is just hitting shelves. Massoud said it’s “just as good or better.”

“I have a whole team of people that work with me to help us do what we do,” Massoud said. “I would just acknowledge all of our hardworking, dedicated team at Paumanok who has enabled us to produce wines of such high quality that have enabled us to win these awards.”

In addition to Paumanok’s wines, both Wölffer Estate Vineyard of Sagaponack and Jason’s Vineyard in Jamesport also took home “Best in Category” awards in the competition. Speaking as the president of Long Island Wine Country, Massoud said the state’s recognition “helps redirect attention to Long Island wine.”

Here are the wineries on Long Island that received “Best of Class” awards at the competition: 

• Jason’s Vineyard won Best Sparkling Wine and Best Force Carbonation with its 2021 Bubbly Rosé.
• Osprey’s Dominion of Peconic won the Best Cabernet Sauvignon for its 2019 Reserve, and Best Red Blend (Vinifera) with its 2015 Flight Meritage. 
• Wölffer Estate Vineyard of Sagaponack won the Best Chardonnay for its 2020 Perle, Best Malbec with its 2020 Cellar Series, Best Pinot Noir with its 2019 Landius, and Best Rosé with its 2022 Estate Rosé.  
• Borghese Vineyard of Cutchogue won Best Unoaked Chardonnay with its 2020 wine. 
• Coffee Pot Cellars of Cutchogue won Best Merlot with its 2015 Library Selection. 
• Sannino Vineyard of Cutchogue won Best Pinot Gris with its 2022 Single Vineyard. 
• One Woman Wines and Vineyards of Southold won Best Sauvignon Blanc with its 2019 Sauvignon Blanc. 
• Sparkling Pointe of Southold won Best Traditional Method with its 2018 Méthode Champenoise Blanc de Blanc.

Alek Lewis contributed reporting.