Congratulations to Samuel Filler and Camron King, who at different times will be taking new positions in the American grape, grape juice, and wine industry.
As of January 1, Sam will become Executive Director of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and we will have a three-month overlap through March 31 to ensure a smooth and successful transition into the future. For the past few years, Sam has gotten to know our industry well as Director of Industry Development at Empire State Development, focusing on the craft beverage industry, and is well-versed in the ways of Albany, a key consideration.
A month from now, Camron will be the new President of the National Grape & Wine Initiative, a key strategic planning organization focused on research priorities throughout the country. He has extensive experience in the California grape and wine industry, first with the California Association of Winegrape Growers and most recently as Executive Director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. John Martini of Anthony Road Winery is a past Chaiman of NGWI, and was on the search committee; I also serve on the NGWI Board.
Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, to be held on June 25-26 in Lake George Village, got a generous boost of $63,000 from the Taste NY program created by Governor Andrew Cuomo and run by the Department of Agriculture & Markets.
This North Country region, along with Lake Champlain and the Thousand Islands, is one of the state's newest, thanks largely to the availability of extreme cold-hardy "Minnesota" grape varieties that can withstand the harsh winter conditions. In addition, the Governor's various initiatives emanating from his "Summits" have stimulated the growth of wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries in that region and others.
The festival already includes 15 wineries, 3 breweries, 4 distilleries, and 2 cideries, along with artisanal producers of cheese, maple syrup, and desserts, with about 50 vendors expected. More information about the festival is available at www.ADKWINEFEST.com.
Arizona recently passed legislation allowing direct sales of wine to consumers, joining the vast majority of states endorsing free trade. In addition, the Oklahoma legislature is advancing a bill that would permit the sale of wine in grocery stores, which recently became legal in Tennessee. More and more states are realizing that expanded access to wine is not only good for consumers and the wine industry, but the broader economy as well. In New York State, the grape and wine industry generates more than $5 billion annually in economic benefits for the state.
|