Coyote Moon Winery Wins Gold Medal at International Competition

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/coyote-moon-wins-gold-medal-champion-at-international-competition-20161028 to see the story.

Coyote Moon Named Winery of the Year

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news03/coyote-moon-wins-new-york-state-winery-of-the-year-20160615 to check out the story.

National Wine Day is Today!!

Grapes at Thousand Islands Winery

Today is National Wine Day.

This is not to be confused with National Drink Wine Day, which is celebrated in February.

Today, May 25, we will celebrate wine and those who make it, especially all those vintners in New York state. New York is the second largest producer of wine in the country after California and New York producers make top notch wine that constantly win national and international wine contests. 

Wine is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grapes or other fruits -- in fact there are wines made from fruits such as apples, pears and cherries made right in New York state.

So on National Wine Day, enjoy a glass of their favorite wine with dinner, for dessert, with friends, at a restaurant, at home or at a wine-tasting event.

New Executive Director Chosen for New York Wine and Grape Foundation

News from the New York Wine and Grape Foundation:

               

Filler

Samuel Filler will become the executive director of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation as of Jan. 1, said foundation board chair Trent Preszler.

He will replace outgoing President Jim Trezise, who has served in that position since the foundation was created over 30 years ago.

"When Jim announced his intention to step aside at the end of this year, the board began conducting an extensive search," Preszler said. "During that process, Mr. Filler clearly rose to the top and his appointment was approved unanimously by the board. 

"I am confident that his experience in economic development and his passion for the New York grape and wine industry make him a perfect fit for NYWGF at this particular moment in our history. I anticipate in the coming months and years we will see our vital organization rise to even greater heights," Preszler said.

Since 2012, Filler has been director of industry development for Empire State Development Corp. and directed the "One Stop Shop" and served as a vital liaison between state government and New York's wine, beer, spirits and cider industries. In that role, he administered $9 million in funding for craft beverage advertising, marketing, and tourism projects.

"Sam's direct experience with our industry in the regulatory, financial, and promotional arenas make him the ideal choice to propel the Foundation and industry forward into an even brighter future," said Trezise. "He is well-known and highly respected throughout the industry, and brings the energy and talent required to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead."

Filler also has worked in economic development and public service positions in New York City, Washington D.C., and California. He completed leadership training as part of the Empire State Fellows Program, and is  enrolled in Cornell University's LEAD NY program for leaders in the food, agriculture and natural resources industries.  

Filler has a bachelor's degree from Vassar College, and a master's of urban planning from New York University.

"I am honored to be selected as executive director, and excited about this opportunity," said Filler. "The New York Wine and Grape Foundation has an extraordinary history of catalyzing the transformation of an industry from an economic crisis into a major economic development engine. 

"I am excited to build on the solid foundation created by Jim Trezise and the staff of NYWGF, and I look forward to using my experience in economic development and the knowledge I have acquired about this industry to advance that success," Filler said.

Filler will remain at ESD for the rest of 2016. Trezise will remain president of NYWGF until March 31,  working closely with Filler to ensure a smooth transition into the future. 

Officials Mark Opening of St. Lawrence Wine Trail

(Pictured from left to right are RVRDA and IDA CEO Patrick Kelly, Senator Patty Ritchie, Larry Hollister of Bella Brooke Winery, St. Lawrence Valley Redevelopment Agency Chair Robert McNeil, Assemblywoman Addie Russell, Randy LaMay of River Myst Winery and St. Lawrence County Chamber Of Commerce Executive Director Brooke Rouse)

Local leaders got together Thursday to mark the official opening of the St. Lawrence Wine Trail, the state’s 18^th wine trail.

State Sen. Patty Ritchie said the trail should help draw tourists to the area, create jobs and support local businesses.

Established through legislation sponsored by Ritchie, the trail spans 80 miles, starting near Black Lake’s Bella Brooke Winery in Morristown, extending to Lisbon’s River Myst Winery and then to High Peaks Winery in Winthrop. 

In addition, the trail was also designed to bring visitors to St. Lawrence Brewing’s microbrewery in Canton, allowing the four companies additional opportunities to work together and market the new tourist destination.

Recently, more than 90 highway signs marking the new wine trail were placed throughout its 80 mile span. In addition, now available through the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce are brochures and a website that include a map of the trail, winery descriptions and information on other local attractions.

According to the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, in 1976 there were just 14 wineries in New York State.  Today, that number has ballooned to more than 1,600 family vineyards and over 350 wineries.

Grand Opening for St. Lawrence County Wine Trail Set for Oct. 8

The St. Lawrence County Wine Trail is ready to officially open.

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/new-directional-signs-mark-st-lawrence-countys-new-wine-trail-grand-opening-celebration-set-for-oct-8-20150930 this story to check it out.

Senate Majority Leader Visits North Country Farm

Jefferson County Farm Bureau member Mike Kiechle discusses agricultural issues with New York State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan of Long Island, right, and state Sen. Patty Ritchie, chair of the Senate Ag Committee, center, during a farm tour visit yesterday at Kiechle's dairy farm in Philadelphia. Photo from Jefferson County Farm Bureau.

Coyote Moon Vineyards Now Selling Wine in a Can

Coyote Moon Vineyards is now selling two of its wines in a can.
 
Fire Boat Red and Fire Boat White are available in packs of four 250ml cans --  equal to 1 liter of wine. The cans are available at Coyote Moon Vineyards’ three locations.
 
It took a long year of brainstorming, planning, filing, researching, paperwork and hard labor to make the can idea a reality.
 
So, why drink wine out of a can? Coyote Moon Vineyard’s Fire Boat Red and Fire Boat White Wine in a can provide consumers with limitless options when it comes to enjoying their favorite wines.
 
•    Coyote Moon’s wine in a can is small and light, so it easily fits in you cooler.
•    Wine in a can doesn’t require any tools to open; so it’s OK if you forgot your corkscrew at home.
•    Coyote Moon’s wine in a can is great to take to the pool, ballpark, beach, or anywhere else you can’t bring glass bottles.
•    Cans of wine are smaller than traditional bottles, reducing the chance of leftover, wasted wine.
•    Wine in aluminum cans are completely protected from both light and air, which means less contamination and a longer shelf life.
•    Aluminum cans are recycled more often and more readily than glass bottles and can be endlessly recycled into new cans, using a fraction of the energy and resources needed to create new glass bottles.
 
Coyote Moon Vineyards is a family owned and operated farm winery founded by Phil Randazzo, of  Rochester. The winery specializes in growing northern climate grapes, which can survive the extremely cold winters in Clayton.
 
With more than 600 awards for their wines, Coyote Moon Vineyards is one of the most award winning wineries in New York. 

Coyote Moon Vineyards can be found at the vineyard and winery, 17371 East Line Road, Clayton; the Wine and Craft Beer Lounge, 524 Riverside Drive, Clayton; and at the Tasting Room at Salmon Run Mall, 21182 Salmon Run Mall Loop, Watertown.
 
For more information and a photo of this exciting new product, visit http://www.coyotemoonvineyards.com/youcandrinkit