April 19, 2014

             More industry growth, nice scores, Hudson Valley wine and food series, a rooftop vineyard in New York City, and more happening in New York wine country.

             Cheers!          

             Jim Trezise

                 The New York wine industry just keeps growing, and at an accelerating rate, with a total of 363 licensed wine producers statewide and one more county (Tioga) with wineries or branch offices, making the total 55 out of New York's 62 counties. I wouldn't be at all surprised if there were more than 400 wineries by the end of this year--and it wasn't so long ago that we were wondering when we might reach 100!

                  Another telling indicator of potential growth is a dramatic graph released by Cornell's Dr. Alan Lakso (a great researcher who, alas, is retiring) showing the trend in monthly visits to http://NYVineyardsite.org.  This is a fabulous resource created years ago (with our funding support) by Alan, other Cornellians, and the Institute for the Application of Geospatial Technology in Auburn.  As you will see, it allows you, while sitting at your computer, to conduct a very precise, satellite-based search of New York State in terms of where it is best to grow grapes, where it's more risky, and where it's foolhardy (although the new Minnesota varieties have changed that in some locations).  You can drill down into a region and ultimately a specific plot of land and get decades-long temperature readings, soil information, the slope of the land, proximity to water, and much more.  It is a great and incredibly convenient prelude to then actually visiting the site and consulting with Cornell Cooperative Extension experts.

                 Since 2009, the growth in the number of unique visitors and visits has increased steadily, but in the summer and fall of last year they went through the roof.  There were about 700 unique visitors and more than 900 visits, including people from more than 15 different countries.  So...I wouldn't be surprised if the State Liquor Authority starts getting a lot more applications for winery licenses.

                 Speaking of which, the SLA itself is one of the main reasons for this accelerating growth.  While it used to take an average of 9 months to get a winery license approved, that time has now been cut to an average of 6 weeks.  In the case of New York's first farm cidery (Nine Pin in Albany), it was 22 days.  That's because there's a new SLA under the leadership of Chairman Dennis Rosen and his great colleagues Tom Donohue (Special Counsel), Kerri O'Brien (Director of Licensing), and Jacqueline Flug (General Counsel).  They are truly "open for business."                       

                      "Invasive species" may sound like aliens, but alas they're right here on earth and in New York.  But fortunately, some federal funding has become available to fight them and to identify potential new pests before they become established here.

                       Different crops have different threats, with the leaf roll virus one of the most serious ones to affect grapes, while apples, peaches, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables are threatened by others.  The nearly $790,000 of federal funding will allow targeted research on various commodities, including the reinstatement of an important grape certification survey program.  This is great news for our industry.

                       Wine Enthusiast gave some nice scores to five New York wines, including Red Tail Ridge 2012 Estate Grown Riesling (91) and 2012 Estate Grown Dry Riesling (90); Hermann J. Wiemer 2010 Riesling, Noble Select, Josef Vineyard (91) and 2009 Riesling Noble Select, Josef Vineyard (90); and Wolffer Estate 2010 Christian's Cuvee Merlot (90).

                        Hudson Valley Wine Magazine is orchestrating the Wine Farmers' Market, a new series of wine-tasting events that will debut on Saturday, May 10 at the Hudson Valley Wine Market in Gardiner.  The events will focus on Hudson Valley wines and spirits, along with the Valley's agricultural bounty that pairs with them.

                        As managing editor and publisher Linda Pierro noted so correctly, "Most people's 'locavore' instincts don't translate when it comes to wine."  How true!  So this series is to help consumers make that connection from locavore to locapour.

                         Participants at the Wine Farmers' Market include several regional wineries, spirits producers, and food producers, with additional markets slated for June 14, July 19, September 13, and October 11.  More info: www.HVwine.net.

                          Finger Lakes was featured by abcnews.com in a piece, "Wine Tour of the World: 10 Must-Visit Stops" along with some of the world's most famous wine destinations.  However, the Finger Lakes region is fast becoming one of them as well, since coverage like this is increasingly common.

                          Rooftop Reds is a future vineyard and winery conceived by Devin Shomaker, a student at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC).  The inspiration for the name: growing grapes on rooftops in New York City. www.rooftopreds.com.

                          After graduating next month with an associates degree in viticulture and wine technology, he plans to work for Red Hook Winery in Brooklyn and continue to build Rooftop Reds with three partners including Evan Miles (Miles Wine Cellars).

                          FLCC created its two-year program several years ago, and it has been a great addition for the education and training of tomorrow's industry leaders.  Paul Brock, a superb winemaker and co-owner with his wife Shannon of Silver Thread Vineyard, does a great job running the program.  www.flcc.edu.

                 "And Noah began to be a husbandman, and he planted a vineyard."

                                                                   -- Genesis 9:20