Niagara County Fair

WNY Home Wine Competition

WNY Home Wine Competition
Join the 2026 WNY Home Wine Competition at the Niagara County Fair!

Raise a Glass to Local Talent


2026 Wine Competition Entry Form

Homemade winemakers can showcase their craft in the Fair's Annual Wine Competition, featuring categories ranging from traditional reds and whites to fruit wines and hard ciders. It's another example of the creativity and agricultural heritage that make Niagara County special.


Entry Categories:

Vinifera-White
Vinifera-Red
Vinifera-Rose
Hybrid-White
Hybrid-Red
Hybrid-Rose
Native-White
Native-Red
Native-Rose
Tree Fruit
Berry Fruit
Specialty
Hard Cider

Submissions accepted: July 1 – August 5
(Monday through Friday only, 8:30a-4p)

Contestants must be 21+

Entry fee: $5 per bottle

Entries will be judged in a closed judging session. Awards will be posted in the 4-H Training Center on Saturday August 2nd at 5pm. Ribbons can be picked up after Monday August 4th during regular business hours.
Home Wine & Hard Cider Competition Results

  • Peter Schmid - Chardonnay - Silver
  • Peter Schmid - Pinot Grigio - Silver

  • Ronald Zysk - Silver
  • Gary Coons - Montepulciano - Bronze
  • Ronald Zysk - Merlot - Silver
  • Peter Schmid - Pinot Noir - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish - Cabernet Franc - Silver
  • Peter Schmid - Merlot - Silver
  • Peter Schmid - Grenache Shiraz - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish - Meritage Blend - Silver

  • Andrew Palumbo - Noiret - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish - Marquette - Silver
  • Peter Schmid - Trinity Red (Cab. Franc, Cab. Sav. And Merlot) - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish - Baconoir - Silver

  • Heath Jaquish & Ron Jaquish - Concord - Gold

  • Andrew Palumbo - Vignoles and Noiret - Silver

  • Gary Coons - Apple - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish/Ron Jaquish - Spiced Pear Dessert Wine - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish/Ron Jaquish - Oaked Apple - Silver
  • Gary Coons - Spiced Apple - Silver

  • Gary Coons - Black Raspberry - Gold & Best in Show
  • Heath Jaquish - Black Raspberry - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish - Asian Cherry - Silver

  • Gary Coons - Thistle Mead - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish & Ron Jaquish - Rhubarb - Silver
  • Gary Coons - Blueberry Thistle Mead - Silver
  • Heath Jaquish - Cab. Sav./Concord Blend - Silver

Andrew Palumbo - Hewes Crab, Dolgo Crab, Chestnut Crab, Jonathan, Gala - #1 Cider

Andrew Palumbo - Black Twig, Newtown Pippin, Hewes Crab, Goldrush, Spitzenberg - #2 Cider

For more info, contact:
Amanda Henning
Agriculture & Food Systems Team Leader
app27@cornell.edu
(716) 433-8839 ext. 231

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