New York Wineries Included in "Best Wineries" List

Information from Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

"The Daily Meal blog recently ran a piece on the "101 Best Wineries in America," which included seven from New York:

Red Newt Cellars (#42), Boundary Breaks (43), Dr. Konstantin Frank (54), Hermann J. Wiemer (68), Shinn Estate (74), Channing Daughters (86), and Bellwether Hard Cider & Wine Cellars (90).

Not surprisingly given its huge number of wineries, California had the most, with good representation also from Oregon and Washington, but it wasn't so long ago that New York would have been largely ignored.  No longer...and it's great to see."

Magazine Names NY "Wine Region of the Year"

From Jim Trezise of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

     When Wine Enthusiast magazine this week announced that New York state was chosen of "Wine Region of the Year"-- ahead of Champagne, Chianti, Sonoma, and Washington -- it was a long-awaited and fitting tribute to the hundreds of people in our industry who have worked so hard for so long to get better every day.

      It was also a tribute to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has created the best business climate in history for our industry; to former Gov. Mario Cuomo, who rescued a dying industry through legislation allowing us to grow; to the many legislators who have been a key part of our success; and to numerous organizations which have been such valuable partners for decades.

    

     On Valentine's Day of 1982, I left a secure and lucrative corporate job in Philadelphia and U-hauled my family and furniture to Penn Yan through a blizzard to become Executive Director of the New York State Wine Grape Growers.  The landscape was bleak: abandoned vineyards, padlocked wineries, ramshackle farms, zero hope.

     

     Today the Finger Lakes has well over 100 wineries, an international reputation for quality wines (especially Riesling), and consistent recommendations as one of the world's top wine country travel destinations.  The landscape has changed.

      Other regions, from Long Island to Lake Erie and even North Country, have had different evolutions but the same basic result: beautiful landscapes with passionate people making wonderful wines.

      Quality and cooperation have been key to New York's success.  We are so fortunate to have Cornell University and Cooperative Extension as our partners, and to also have so many grape growers, winery owners, and wine makers who, while technically competitors, cooperate in so many ways.

      Diversity is our strength; Unity is our power.  Excelsior!

Tug Hill Vineyards in Lewis County Receives Funding

From Sens. Schumer and Gillibrand:

A total of $62,924 is being awarded to Tug Hill Vineyards in Lewis County to increase wine production at the facility. 

The federal funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program and will be used to purchase essential equipment needed to efficiently increase wine production at Tug Hill Vineyards.

Schumer

“This is federal funding is great news for Lewis County and Tug Hill Vineyards,” said Sen. Charles Schumer. “This funding will provide Tug Hill the funds needed to help them to expand and provide more consumers with their quality products. Making sure we support our agricultural businesses in Upstate New York will always be a priority of mine.”

 “New York’s world-class vineyards produce some of the finest grapes, grown by hard-working farm families,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee who wrote to USDA in support of Tug Hill’s project. 

Gillibrand

“This investment in the Tug Hill Vineyard will help ensure they get the resources they need to expand their business with the purchase of critical equipment. This will help bring their products to market and continue to drive economic growth in their region.”

“Increasing the diversity of agricultural production and adding value to the crops grown in Lewis County are key components of economic development. The economic impacts associated with Tug Hill Vineyards’ growth and success impacts all of Lewis County,” said Larry Dolhof, president of the  Lewis County Development Corp. “The Vineyard is directly responsible for an increase in local employment, retail sales of wine and berries, and tourism related to the wine industry and the vineyards special events capacity.”

“We are so pleased to receive this funding to support the expansion of Tug Hill Vineyards,” said Sue Maring, owner of Tug Hill Vineyards. “We look forward to procuring state of the art equipment necessary for increased wine production.”

Tug Hill Vineyards was established in 2007 and consists of 20 acres of grapevines on a 40-acre  estate. Tug Hill Vineyards produces red and golden raspberries as well as blueberries in addition to grapes. They also produce a variety of wines both dry and sweet.

USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grants are available to towns, State agencies, tribes and non-profits. They are used to support development of rural small businesses, distance learning networks and adult job training education programs. The RBEG program’s grants finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses to grow the economy.

St. Lawrence County Wine Trail Included in State Senate Budget Proposal

Go to http://northcountrynow.com/business/st-lawrence-county-wine-trail-included-state-senates-budget-proposal-0110575 to check it out.

Wine and Beer Summit Oct. 31 in Hyde Park

Anyone interested in going to this?

Wine and beer http://www.dailyfreeman.com/general-news/20131025/wine-beer-and-spirits-summit-to-be-held-oct-31-at-cia-in-hyde-park summit downstate later this week.

Wine Trail Legislation Will Help Industry, Experts Say

Here are two statements about the new wine trail and wine selling legislation in New York state:

Bradley Rickard, assistant professor at Cornell and leading expert in the economics of horticultural markets, said this about new legislation allowing roadside farm market stands to sell wine as well as expand wine trails designations on state roadways.

 

Rickard says:

 

“Similar to laws that have allowed wineries to sell their products at farmers’ markets and that have created wine trails, the new legislative change allowing wine to be sold at roadside farm markets will enable more New York State wine to be sold to consumers and will benefit the industry in some capacity.”

 

The New York Farm Bureau commented on the law expanding the state wine trail system:

In a press release, it said "local wineries across Upstate New York now have new opportunities to lure in visitors with the recent expansion of the state wine trail system. Gov. Cuomo just signed legislation that will allow the Niagara Wine Trail Ridge and Niagara Wine Trail Lake to grow in western New York in addition to the expansion of the Shawangunk East Wine Trail in the lower Hudson Valley.

"The governor also put pen to paper creating the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail in Clinton County.

"We appreciate the governor’s support of New York’s vineyards and farm based wineries. The wine trail system has proven itself to be an economic generator drawing in tourists from around the state and the world to sample and purchase our award winning wines. The wineries themselves pay for the road signs marking the trail, and there is no cost to the state, only an economic benefit.

"The cross promotion and branding of a Wine Trail as a destination allows the state’s smaller farm and commercial wineries the opportunity to work together to capture new customers. Also, the additional visitors to the respective regions provide a spin-off boost to the rural economies as well.

"In addition to the expansions, a separate bill changes the name of the Chautauqua Wine Trail in Chautauqua County to the Lake Erie Wine Trail.

Dean Norton, president of New York Farm Bureau, said “New York Farm Bureau worked closely with the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, a number of winemakers and their respective state legislators, as well as the New York Department of Transportation to make these important changes to the wine trail system.  We very much appreciate Governor Cuomo’s support and faith in our local wineries to provide an economic boost to their communities and to add to the quality of life in the state.”

Ritchie Wants Wine Trail for St. Lawrence County

News from state Sen. Patricia Ritchie:

State Senator Patricia Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, who also is chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is planning to introduce legislation in January to establish a St. Lawrence County Wine Trail to help put local winemakers and vineyards on the map, boost local businesses and create jobs in the North Country.

“St. Lawrence County can now proudly say that it has three outstanding local wine producers in Lisbon, Black Lake and Winthrop,” said Ritchie. “Unfortunately, a lot of people have yet to discover River Myst, Bella Brooke and High Peaks wineries. My legislation will literally put these three local businesses on the map. Just as importantly, it will create a new county-wide tourist destination that will provide new business and employment opportunities for neighboring restaurants, stores and attractions.”

Under Ritchie’s plan, the St. Lawrence County Wine Trail would start near Black Lake’s Bella Brooke Winery in Morristown, extending to Lisbon’s River Myst Winery and then to High Peaks Winery in Winthrop. The trail is being designed to also bring visitors to St. Lawrence Brewing’s microbrewery in Canton, allowing the four companies additional opportunities to work together to market themselves.

“The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce has long dreamed of using our local wineries as tourist destinations," said Chamber Executive Director Pat McKeown. "We know that visitors come for our great outdoor offerings, like fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. Senator Ritchie's new plan adds a really great dimension to St. Lawrence County's arsenal of tourist attractions and we are delighted to do whatever we can to help her project gain traction.”

Cuomo Signs Bills Enhancing New York State Wine Industry

This news comes from the office of Gov. Andrew Cuomo:


Bills were signed today that will allow wine to be sold at roadside farm markets and will designate portions of state highways near wineries and vineyards as "Wine Trails."

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said his signing of these bills continue the state's efforts to better market and promote New York wine.

“These new laws will build on our continuing efforts to promote New York’s wine industry across the state and beyond, boosting tourism, local economies and job growth,” Cuomo said. 

“We are increasing market opportunities for local producers and farmers and expanding our wine trails to attract tourists to communities across Upstate New York," he said. "Our state is home to hundreds of wineries that produce some of the best wine in the world, and we want both New Yorkers and visitors to come and enjoy them.” 

The farm markets legislation (S.267/A.1512) will create a new site for New York wineries to sell their products by allowing roadside farm markets to sell wine manufactured and produced by up to two licensed farm wineries, special wineries or micro-wineries located within 20 miles of the roadside farm market. 

The governor also signed four wine trail laws: one establishes a new wine trail; one expands an existing wine trail; one both expands two existing wine trails and changes their names; and one simply changes the name of an existing wine trail.

Wine trails help guide tourists to local attractions, vineyards, and wine tasting rooms, and to experience all that New York’s wine regions have to offer.

There are currently 16 wine trails designated by state law. 

“By allowing New York’s wide variety of quality wines to be sold at roadside farm markets, we are opening another door for this important industry," said Assemblyman William Magee, of Nelson, Madison County, chair of the state Assembly agriculture committee. "This is a measure that will support the growth of local businesses in our communities, and provide an important boost to wine producers across the state.”

New York is home to nearly 500 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Producers account for more than $22 billion in annual total economic impact in the state and support tens of thousands of jobs statewide.

The state ranks third in the nation in wine and grape production, has the second-most distilleries, and three of the top-producing 20 brewers in the United States are located in New York.

Time to Harvest Those Grapes and Make That Wine

It's harvest season for vineyards across New York state.

These beauties pictured above are at Thousand Island Winery near Alexandria Bay. The winery owners told me "Our crop is in full bloom and ready for harvest in the end of September. We currently have 10+ acres of vineyards. The grapes we grow are Marquette, Frontenac, Brianna, La Cresent, Mars, and Beta, and more."

According to a report on the grape crop issued Friday by Cornell University, "ripening kicked into high hear this past week, with brix gains ranging from 2 inches to 5 inches and (acidity) dropping by a whopping 3 grams to 6 grams per liter."

The report said ripening is moving so fast on Long Island that some Long Island varieties have caught up or surpassed the 2012 numbers for the same time period.

In the Finger Lakes, the report states harvest is in full swing and moving from variety to variety. There was a scare earlier this week when low temperatures threatened the area.

Grapes for sparkling wines will start being harvested next week, starting with Chardonnay, the report states.

The area is hoping for little rain to be sure to get the harvest in unscathed.

All in all, "the crop is looking very good," said Jim Trezise, president of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation.

Be sure to get out and visit a vineyard and taste some of the great wines made here in New York state.

A Nation of Wineries

Go to http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/07/07/business/a-nation-of-wineries.html?_r=1& to see the story the New York Times put together.

Learn About Cold Hardy Grapes at July 22 Event

Anyone who wants to learn more about those cold-hardy grapes grown in Northern New York should sign up to attend the Northern Grapes Project Field Day July 22 at Coyote Moon winery in Clayton.

Go to http://blogs.cornell.edu/nnygrapeupdate/2013/07/02/field-day-july-22-at-coyote-moon-vineyards/ for more information.

News About Northern Cold-Hardy Grapes

Go to http://northerngrapesproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013JuneNGPnewsletter.pdf to check it out.

The Cape Winery Open in Jefferson County

I told you earlier Monday I would provide some more info about North Country wineries.

Well, I visited the newest winery a couple of weeks ago and I must say, Sandra and David Fralick are putting out some wonderful wines.

They are the owners of The Cape Winery, located on Deerlick Road just outside Cape Vincent, Jefferson County. Shown here are the wine tasting building and a section of the vineyard.

 The Fralicks offer eight wines now -- four made with their own cold-weather hardy grapes and four made with juice from Finger Lakes grapes. The vineyard, which is on a former dairy farm, is growing Frontenac, LeCrescent, Sabrevois, Frontenac Gris, Traminette and Marquette grapes. 

The Cape Winery has been open a little more than a month. Hours are noon to 5 Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Memorial Day; noon to 5 p.m. every day from Memorial Day through Columbus Day; and noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday Columbus Day through Dec. 31.

Give them a call at (315) 654-3218 or you can send an email to Sandra@thecapewinery.com 
 

North Country Wines Please the Palate

Nice story http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/21968/20130513/north-country-wines-survive-the-cold-please-the-palate from North Country Public Radio about the Adirondack Wine Trail.

Check back later for some more news about the North Country wineries.