How did it become 2016 already?   I guess time flies when you're having fun, and we certainly did lots of that in 2015.

                 For starters, in early March New York State received the "Wine Region of the Year" award from Wine Enthusiast magazine at its Wine Star Awards gala dinner.  This happened to also be the 30th anniversary of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation's creation in 1985, which was a great way to celebrate.  I was honored to accept the award on behalf of the entire industry and State, with many prominent industry members in attendance.

                  Oh, and the awards for New York wines--128 "Best of Show, Category or Class" designations, 128 Double Golds, and 726 Golds--for a grand total of 982.  That's up from 869, 766, and 733 in the three previous years--obviously a growing trend. If only there were 18 more, we'd be at 1,000--a new goal for 2016.

                  Perhaps the most dramatic example, in October, was Sheldrake Point 2014 Wild Fement Riesling Ice Wine being named the world's best Riesling at the International Riesling Challenge in Australia.  The same wine received a 95 rating from Wine Enthusiast magazine.

                  But well before that, the first week in January, Dr. Frank 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling won Best White Wine (of any type) at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the nation's largest with over 6,000 entries, where I'm headed tomorrow to judge again.  That same Dr. Frank Riesling then won Best White Wine at the Florida International a month later, a back-to-back feat that in my experience is the first. Dr. Frank 2013 Riesling Reserve, 2014 Semi-Dry Riesling, 2013 Late Harvest Riesling, 2014 Gruner Veltliner, and Chateau Frank Celebre Rose also took "Best" awards in various competitions.

                   Other top winners in competitions or wine magazine ratings included Arbor Hill Griesa Hill Iona Rose, Casa Larga 2010 Fiori Delle Stelle Vidal Blanc Ice Wine,  Glenora 2014 Riesling Ice Wine, Hazlitt 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Hermann J. Wiemer 2012 Semi-Dry Riesling and 2011 Cuvee Brut, Penguin Bay 2013 Vidal Ice Wine, and Sparkling Pointe 2005 Brut Seduction.

                    The wineries that enter their wines in competitions and send samples to top wine magazines show just how great New York wines have become, and benefit the reputation of the entire industry.

                    Thanks to them, and congratulations on their winnings.

                    The climate for grapes in 2015 was a bit dicey in 2015 (again!), but the business climate for our industry has never been better, thanks to the leadership of Governor Andrew Cuomo, his Administration, and our great supporters in the Legislature like Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Bill Magee.

                     At a third Governor's Wine, Beer, Spirits & Cider Summit in October, the Governor announced a new array of regulatory initiatives, including a thorough review of the antiquated Alcohol Beverage Control Law, and a new round of funding for promotional activities.

                     The results of this "entrepreneurial government" have benefited everyone: The four beverage sectors have all grown strongly, resulting in new investment, jobs, tourism, and taxes for the State economy. In 2015 there were 14 new wineries and 8 branch offices, with the total number of wineries now topping 400. It's a win-win.

                      Far more surprising was the pre-Christmas miracle of Congress and the Administration actually working together to pass an omnibus budget bill--WOW! And it even happens to include some Christmas stocking benefits for our industry.  The former COOL legislation was repealed, avoiding damaging retaliatory tariffs on American wines that could have been imposed by Canada and Mexico.  Funding for the Tax and Trade Bureau was increased, which should help speed license and label approvals.  The excise tax on cider was reduced, and the alcohol level increased, hopefully setting the stage for similar measures to benefit wine in the future.  And some nice tax incentives will encourage the adoption of solar and other green alternative energy solutions, which many wineries are now pursuing.

                       All this didn't happen by chance.  WineAmerica and other organizations have been working hard on these issues, and our greatly supportive Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand have led the charge along with several New York Representatives like Tom Reed, who was particularly helpful on the solar issue.

                       Hopefully, the newfound cooperation in Washington will continue into 2016 despite the awful, acrimonious, positively embarrassing election campaigning.  We'll see.

                       With 2015 now in the rear view mirror, we look ahead to 2016 with optimism that the weather will cooperate, the business climate will stay warm and sunny, the wines will keep winning, and New York will continue to be seen as one of the premier wine regions of the world.  Our strategic goal is "to have the New York grape and wine industry recognized as a world leader in quality, productivity, and social responsibility."

                        By continuing to work together, we will get there.  Here's to our health!