Monday, November 2, 2009

Our Sheldrake Wins "Top-100" Winery Award


Twelve years ago, we gathered in the field of a former dairy farm, high above Cayuga’s waters, in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. We were: a viticulturalist, an interior designer, a professor, two IT professionals, and me, the great-granddaughter of a pioneering American grape-grower*. Each of us planted a grapevine in honor of the inauguration of our new winery/vineyard venture, Sheldrake Point Vineyard, while an Abenaki Native American blessed the sight.

Here I am with our Winery Manager

Partners have come and gone, but our vision has remained the same, to respect and integrate the uniqueness of the Finger Lakes region, pursue the best sustainable viticultural practices, make the highest quality wine that the grapes and weather will permit, and offer our visitors a memorable experience.

None of us could have dreamed of the day when Sheldrake would be named one of the "Top-100 Wineries in the World" by Wine & Spirits magazine.




On October 14, 2009, three of us (my husband and I, and Bob, the Winery’s general manager) presented our wines at the Magazine's gala tasting event, amidst the splendor of the Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center.


There we were, standing shoulder to shoulder with the most iconic wine brands from around the world.


The Finger Lakes is known for its Riesling, and we showcased our best: a 2007 Dry Riesling and a 2007 Riesling Ice Wine. The ice wine is made according to Canadian standards, for example, the berries are harvested when it is below 15 degrees F. This wine has won many awards, including the "Best Riesling in North America" at the Hyatt International Riesling Chalenge, and has also been served at the White House.


Aside from receiving the “Top-100” honor, many other things stand out about the evening:

  • Having my first taste of Cristal champagne (after waiting in line with the hoards of their groupies);

  • Chatting with Prue Henschke (from Henschke Winery in the Barossa Valley of Australia), which made us homesick for the beautiful wines and the wonderful people of the land down-under;
  • Getting a chance to meet the winemaker from Ridge, and sampling his famous Monte Bello Cabernet, which won the Judgement of Paris Rematch in 2006;

  • Talking with the charming young representative from Fonseca, (a member of the Symington family, one of the oldest Port houses);

  • Seeing Craggy Range from New Zealand, a picturesque winery in Hawke’s Bay on the North Island, where we stayed in their luxe ‘bach’ guest house among the vines;



  • Sampling food from the many chefs, restaurants and provisioners. The most popular being Hog Island Oysters, which was perfectly sited in the Champagne and sparkling wine section.

Wish you had been there!

Salute,
Marjorie

*Wine and grapes are in my blood. My great-grandfather, Theodore Sedgwick Hubbard (1843-1906), established his nursery; T.S. Hubbard Co., in Fredonia, NY in 1866. Considered a leading authority on grapes in the world, at one time he propagated over a 100 different native grape vines, and sold rootstock all over the US and abroad. His grapes won awards at the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition, 1904, and in 1915 the received the Wilder Award from the American Pomological Society. Last summer, I walked the NY Ag Station experimental vineyard in Geneva, NY with a scientist who showed me a big purple, blue grape - named after my grandfather, the Hubbard grape. How proud I was!

15 comments:

  1. Congratulations! That is quite an accomplishment and you should be very proud!

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  2. Fantastic! Wow. This is an amazing achievement. My heartiest congratulations to you, my friend! xoxo

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  3. Oh my goodness...what an accolade...you all must be very proud and excited.....I bet a few glasses of champagne have been drunk since you won ! XXXX

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  5. Wow Marjorie
    Always a few surprises with you!! How fantastic!!! [lots of exclamation marks!!]

    You must feel such an incredible sense of pride and achievement ... and purpose I think also. Having a goal, putting your mind to it and seeing it come to fruition, let alone achieving recognition within your industry.. all these things are something to be celebrated.

    Well I know so little about wine other than I like it!! hehe... You will have to give us at least monthly lessons in wine appreciation I think.

    Take care and Salute!! xx Julie

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  6. Wow!!!! Congratulations to you! You should be so proud. Nice blog you have here. I stumbled across it via another blogger friend's. :) You have a super blog!

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  7. Hope you can show up for my xmas tea. It shoudl be good.

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  8. Congrats on the award. Can;t wait for you to bring that wine with you. Wonderful. thank you. See you at teh tea party later.

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  9. Oh Marjorie,
    This is such wonderful news....I feel like I know a celebrity! Your great grandfather and grandfather would be so proud. What an accomplishment!!! Is the wine sold here on the east coast???
    That night must have been magical and yes... I would have loved to be there! lol
    xxx........C

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  10. What an amazing achievement, where to from here? Big things ahead I think.

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  11. Congratulations, Marjorie!!! What a fabulous honor. I love when a descendant follows in their ancestor's footsteps. Wine is in your DNA! Now I must find a bottle!

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  12. Bonjour Marjorie!
    Thank you for visiting my fireside post! What a beautiful life you lead! Wine country, no matter what coast or country, is a fairy tale in itself. What a beautiful picture of you!!!! Enjoy the rest of the weekend with a fine glass; you have made me thirsty for a nice red wine and good company!!! Blessings, ANita

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  13. Bravo! An impressive story and very enjoyable read. You must be so proud.

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  14. A terrific achievement!! How wonderful having a grape named after your grandfather, as well. (The photo of you is adorable-- how happy you look!).

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  15. Congratulations! Now I have to try some of that wonderful Shelfrake.

    During my summer vacations in the north of Portugal, by the margins of the Douro river, I loved to help out my grandfather at his vineyards. His grapes were used for the production of Port wine, and I remember the men stomping the grapes (I joined a couple of times )and singing.
    I still think of my grandfather every time I have Port wine, but having a grape named after one's your grandfather...wow...how wonderful!!!

    Congratulations again!

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