February 22, 2014

             Wine as economic engine, Wolffer wine praised, proactive relief from winter damage, good news from the State Fair, and more happening in New York wine country.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

               The New York grape, grape juice, and wine industry generated $4.8 billion in economic benefits to the State of New York in 2012, according to a study released this week, and that figure certainly would have increased in 2013 given the accelerating industry growth.

                This study, like others conducted in 2008 and 2005, dramatically illustrates how the upward spiral of grape and wine industry growth benefits many other industries from manufacturing to transportation and tourism--not to mention taxes to local, State and federal governments.  The $3.14 billion in 2005 and $3.76 billion in 2008 are now dwarfed by the new figure, which shows more than a $1 billion increase in just four years.

                 Among the study's many highlights are nearly 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs, $1.14 billion in wages paid, 5.29 million tourist visits, $401.5 wine-related tourism expenditures, and $408 million in New York State and local taxes paid.

                 The study, which is available at www.newyorkwines.org, was conducted by Stonebridge Research of Napa Valley for the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.  It was made possible through funding secured by State Senator Patty Ritchie with support from Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairman Bill Magee and approval from Governor Andrew Cuomo.  We are also using the funds to do similar studies for our colleagues in the New York craft brewery, spirits, and cider sectors.

                  Wine: The Ultimate Value Added Product.

              Thanks to the efforts of Japanese importer Yoshiki Goto, who attended our Viticulture 2013 conference to scout for New York wineries to represent, Wolffer Estate Rose from The Hamptons, Long Island, won a prestigious "Double Gold" medal at the recent Japan International Wine Competition.  

               It was one of only 96 wines from among 1,922 to have this honor, and will now be entered into the "Diamond" sweepstakes for Best of Category.  Mr. Goto is quite optimistic that the Wolffer Rose will win that category. 

               Wolffer's Rose is a highly popular wine on Long Island, especially during the summer, and happily they produce a large volume of it.  We're keeping our fingers crossed  for the announcement of "Diamond" awards in early March.

               Congratulations to winemaker Roman Roth and the whole crew at Wolffer.

             Cold Winter will certainly take some toll on buds and maybe vines in upstate New York, though it's too early to assess the exact amount of damage.  Senator Charles Schumer isn't waiting to find out those numbers, but instead has notified the United States Department of Agriculture in advance that help will likely be needed so it can be promptly delivered.

             Senator Schumer this week visited Three Brothers Winery on the north end of Seneca Lake, Pleasant Valley Winery on the south end of Keuka Lake, and 21 Brix Winery in the Lake Erie region to get first-hand accounts from growers and Cornell Cooperative Extension agents about possible damage.  In 2004, the last severely cold winter, there was more than $42 million of damage done to buds (which affect the crop size in a given year) and vines (which have to be torn out and replaced, with a new crop several years away).

              This is a very proactive approach to problem solving which we greatly appreciate.

             Finger Lakes could rival Germany's famous Mosel region for consistently producing world-class Rieslings, globetrotting winemaker Paul Hobbs told Decanter.com this week, explaining his decision to invest in a large vineyard with Germany's famous Johannes Selbach.  The vineyard is located toward the southeastern end of Seneca Lake, and it's fascinating to see the work that has already been done clearing the land.  The interest of two world-class winemakers from California and Germany is a tribute to the many growers and winemakers who over the years have proven the region's potential.

             New York Wine Village will return to the Colonnade site at the 2014 Great New York State Fair, the Department of Agriculture & Markets has announced.  For those not familiar with the Fair, which draws millions of people each summer, the Colonnade is prime real estate where the Wine Village used to be before it was relocated, against the industry's wishes, to a more remote location less convenient for visitors to find.

             This is a big deal for wineries which have participated in the Fair, and is another example of our State government listening to industry (as a stakeholder meeting after the 2013 Fair) an then acting accordingly.  What a refreshing business climate!

             Randy Biehl of Eveningside Vineyards in the Niagara region was among several examples of people profiled by USA Today as starting second careers in retirement, in his case creating a small vineyard and winery.  He has been making some terrific wines, and we wish him well.

                 "Grapes are the most noble and challenging of fruits."

                                                                   --Malcolm Dunn