New York maple syrup producers keep award ‘in the family’

This year’s Grand Champion in the Great New York State Fair’s Maple Syrup Competition has been named, and it’s the same as last year.

Sage Family Maple – a family-run operation with brothers Philip, Hamilton and Matthew at the helm – has scooped the prestigious award for the second year running.

Located in Wyoming County, Sage Family Maple, which taps 8,000 maple trees annually, won over the judges with a light, amber maple syrup that is noted for its richness.

Matthew Sage said in a statement:

“We are extremely honoured to receive this recognition for the second year in a row. There are so many outstanding maple producers throughout New York State, and we are proud to represent our family, our community, and Wyoming County.”

The Sage family is no stranger to the winner’s podium at maple syrup contests. The producer also took home the Best of Show award at this year’s Erie County Fair, located in Hamburg, New York.

After Vermont, New York makes the most maple syrup in the United States, and within the state itself, Wyoming County is the second busiest region in terms of production.

Maple syrup production in what is now known as New York State dates all the way back to the Haudenosaunee and Algonquin indigenous nations, who first discovered that sweet sap flowed inside sugar maple trees in the early spring. Traditional tapping methods by native harvesters involved slashing or boring holes, rather than drilling them. Sap was then collected in birch bark containers.