The best social gatherings are in the kitchen surrounded by great food and drinks. We’re opening our Hands-On Kitchen so you can come and relax, socialize, and meet your fellow judges. Our Chef will create a menu of light hors d’oeuvres for you to munch on and three Finger Lakes winery representatives will be on-hand to pour samples. Admission to the Golden Nose Kitchen Social is included in the Golden Nose Judge Package. Judge companions who are not participating in Saturday’s judging experience are welcome to attend, and may purchase a ticket to this event for $25.

Designed for those attending Golden Nose for the first time, the Beginner Judge Package includes admission to Friday night’s Golden Nose Kitchen Social, Saturday morning’s Judge training session, Saturday afternoon’s competition judging, and Saturday evening’s Award Celebration. Beginner judges will learn to identify both faults and positive attributes in a wide variety of wine styles before awarding medals in the Golden Nose Competition.
Beginner Judge Itinerary
8:30-9:00am: Registration and Continental Breakfast in the lobby
9:00-9:30am: Judge Welcome and Introduction Session in the Wine Spectator Educational Theater
9:30-11:20am: Beginner Judge Training in the Wine Spectator Educational Theater. Learn the craft of judging wines from a team of local winemakers and professional wine judges. This year's presenters include professional wine judges, winemakers and educators.  Our intimate and specialized amphitheater setting is an enjoyable and effective place to learn the art of judging. Training sessions include how to taste wine components, flaws, and superior quality in various styles of wine.
11:20am-12:00pm: Buffet Lunch in the Taste of New York Restaurant
12:00pm-4:00pm: Golden Nose Competition. The actual wine judging will take place during the afternoon. Each judge will be assigned to a panel of six members with one winemaker or professional judge to lead the group. The panel leader will lend advice and help guide the novice judges through the judging process. Hundreds of wines from the Finger Lakes region will be judged and medals will be awarded to the best examples in each category. Award categories will encompass the wide variety of wine styles produced in the Finger Lakes, ranging from Ice Wine to Pinot Noir to Catawba. Each panel of judges will evaluate six flights of wine, with approximately six wines per flight.

Following the judging, judges will be given a 2-3hr. break to rest and get ready for the evening. During this time, results of the competition will be calculated.

7:00pm-9:00pm: Golden Nose Award Celebration. Enjoy sophisticated grazing dinner prepared by the New York Wine & Culinary Center and served in our newly-renovated Sands Gallery. Taste award winning wines from the Golden Nose competition. Top awards, including Riesling Champion, Best of Class, and Double Gold medals will be announced and awards presented to winery owners. Judges, winery owners, and other guests will be able to mingle and celebrate the Golden Nose while listening to live music. Admission to the Golden Nose Award Celebration is included in the Judge package. Companions or members of the public may purchase tickets to this event for $40. See below for details and registration.

Designed for those who have judged at the Golden Nose before, the Returning Judge Package includes admission to Friday night’s Golden Nose Kitchen Social, Saturday morning’s Judge continuing education session, Saturday afternoon’s competition judging, and Saturday evening’s Award Celebration. Returning judges will practice identifying and differentiating terroir, expressiveness and complexity in various styles of wines, with an emphasis on Riesling and dry reds.
Returning Judge Itinerary
8:30-9:00am: Registration and Continental Breakfast in the lobby
9:00-9:30am: Judge Welcome and Introduction Session in the Wine Spectator Educational Theater
9:30-11:20am: Returning Judge Training in the newly-renovated Sands Gallery. Golden Nose veterans will continue to refine their judging palates with guidance from a team of local winemakers and experts. This year's presenters include professional wine judges, winemakers and educators. The focus of returning judge training will be on evaluating Riesling and dry red wines.
11:20am-12:00pm: Buffet Lunch in the Taste of New York Restaurant
12:00pm-4:00pm: Golden Nose Competition. The actual wine judging will take place during the afternoon. Each judge will be assigned to a panel of six members with one winemaker or professional judge to lead the group. The panel leader will lend advice and help guide the novice judges through the judging process. Hundreds of wines from the Finger Lakes region will be judged and medals will be awarded to the best examples in each category. Award categories will encompass the wide variety of wine styles produced in the Finger Lakes, ranging from Ice Wine to Pinot Noir to Catawba. Each panel of judges will evaluate six flights of wine, with approximately six wines per flight.
4:00pm-5:00pm: Riesling Champion Judging. Returning judges are invited to judge an additional flight of wines to determine the Finger Lakes Riesling Champion. The Riesling Champion recognizes the incredible quality of the Finger Lakes’ signature grape.

Following the judging, judges will be given a 2-3hr. break to rest and get ready for the evening. During this time, results of the competition will be calculated.

7:00pm-9:00pm: Golden Nose Award Celebration. Enjoy sophisticated grazing dinner prepared by the New York Wine & Culinary Center and served in our newly-renovated Sands Gallery. Taste award winning wines from the Golden Nose competition. Top awards, including Riesling Champion, Best of Class, and Double Gold medals, will be announced and awards presented to winery owners. Judges, winery owners, and other guests will be able to mingle and celebrate the Golden Nose while listening to live music. Admission to the Golden Nose Award Celebration is included in the Judge package. Companions or members of the public may purchase tickets to this event for $40. See below for details and registration.

Members of the public and judge companions who are interested in celebrating the results of the Golden Nose are invited to attend the Award Celebration. Enjoy a sophisticated grazing dinner prepared by the New York Wine & Culinary Center Chef and served in the Sands Gallery. Taste award winning wines from the Golden Nose competition. Top awards, including Riesling Champion, Best of Class, and Double Gold medals will be announced and awards presented to winery owners. Judges, winery owners, and other guests will be able to mingle and celebrate the Golden Nose while listening to live music. Admission to the Golden Nose Award Celebration is included in the Judge package, while companions or members of the public may purchase tickets to this event for $40.