NY wineries: Adirondack Winery

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LAKE GEORGE, NY -- Adirondack Winery is beginning to make a bit of a name for itself in the sprawling New York State wine industry.

The company grows no grapes, and isn't located in rolling fields. But, it does have a winemaking operation and a tasting room in Lake george Village, and that's paying off.

For example, entries from the comparatively new winery earned one silver and five bronze medals in the recent 2009 World Value Wine Challenge (WVWC), run by the prestigious Beverage Testing Institute.

The winery’s Chardonnay took a silver in its class, and bronzes went to its Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Red Barn (a Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon), Fireworks Red Merlot and Barbera.

Winery president Sasha Pardy said the judges described the Chardonnay as having a “rich, golden color and offering aromas of pineapple, ripe kiwi, butter cream, and spun honey following through on a round, satiny entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with nice layers of citrus, praline, and spice.”

That’s quite a mouthful, which is what winemaker/CEO Michael Pardy was aiming for when he used grape must from the Woodbridge, CA, area to create the wine. It is lightly oaked and aged in stainless steel drums. The silver medal is a step up from the bronze the same wine picked up at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition earlier this year.

Sasha Pardy, by the way, created the bottle labels (seen above) for all of these wines, featuring photos of landscapes, landmarks and special events of the local region.

The Adirondack Winery is a micro-winery open year-round at 285 Canada Street in Lake George Village. It has been open for two seasons. Michael Pardy sources grape must from various vineyards to create more than 35 wine varietals. Phone: (518) 668-9463.

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