The Finger Lakes region of New York has been awarded Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 Wine Star Award American Wine Region of the Year, recognizing two centuries of innovation, sustainability, and cool-climate excellence. This honor affirms the region's legacy as one of America’s most dynamic wine regions, driven by collaboration among family-owned wineries and regional partners.
The Finger Lakes AVA is defined by eleven deep, glacial lakes that create ideal conditions for slow, balanced ripening, now encompassing more than 10,000 vineyard acres and over 140 wineries. The region's deep history began in 1829 and evolved through the pioneering work of Charles Fournier and Dr. Konstantin Frank, whose breakthroughs in Vitis vinifera cultivation reshaped the American wine landscape. The region is now celebrated globally for its acclaimed Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and expressive heirloom varieties. A commitment to sustainability is evident through the New York Sustainable Winegrowing Program (NYSWP), which has certified 55 vineyards and allows over 30 wineries to display the Sustainability Trustmark on their labels. Since 1985, New York State has invested over $40 million in the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) to assist the state’s grape and wine industry, leading to improvements in vineyard management, winemaking, and marketing.
Why Collectors Should Care
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Elevated Status: The prestigious Wine Enthusiast award raises the global profile, potentially increasing demand and long-term collectible value for top regional wines, especially Riesling.
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Sustainability Focus: The robust NYSWP certification guarantees wines are environmentally sound, appealing to consumers prioritizing certified sustainable production.
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Proven Quality: The award validates generations of work by pioneers like Dr. Konstantin Frank, confirming the region's position as a source of high-quality cool-climate Vitis vinifera.
Source: New York Wine & Grape Foundation (via press release), 2025-10-16
