Last weekend I noted the 40th anniversary of New York State's Farm Winery Act of 1976, the first major piece of legislation that showed how important the business climate has been, and is, to the growth of our industry.  Former Governor Hugh Carey signed the bill into law on June 4 of that year.

                 I won't repeat all the history and details again, but I invite you to join me at 4 pm next Saturday, June 4th, wherever you are, to raise a glass:

                To committed industry leaders, enlightened public officials, and the beginning of the modern New York wine industry.

                 Cheers!               

                   The current edition of Wine Enthusiast magazine is another indication of just how far New York wines have come, both in terms of quality, and the recognition of quality by influential media.

                    An article entitled "American Revolution" says, "Start with something from New York State, home to U.S. Bonded Wineries No. 1 (Pleasant Valley Wine Company, in the Finger Lakes) and No. 2 (Brotherhood Winery, in the Hudson Valley).  Both are historic and still in operation, but more notable are the wines from Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars."

                    Dr. Frank wines are also part of an "All-American Shortlist" of wines within the article.  Elsewhere, Shaw Vineyards 2008 Reserve Cabernet Franc (92) is listed as an "All-American Summer Red", and Keuka Spring 2015 Dry Rose (91) as a "New World Rose".  There are other ratings of New York wines, both in print and online, including:

Raphael 2013 Primo Reserve Estate Bottled Red Wine (93)

Raphael 2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (92)

Raphael 2013 Reserve Petit Verdot (92)

Raphael 2012 First Label Merlot (91)

Raphael 2013 First Label Merlot (91)

Raphael 2013 Reserve Malbec (91)

Raphael 2013 Reserve Cabernet Franc (91)

Raphael 2014 Reserve Cabernet Franc (91)

N. Kendall Wines 2012 Pinot Noir also received a 91.  Scores of 90 went to:

Anthony Nappa 2014 Ripasso Merlot

Anthony Nappa 2014 Luminour Riesling

Atwater 2013 North Block Five Pinot Noir

Bedell 2014 Cabernet Franc

Benmarl 2014 Slate Hill Red

Damiani 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2014 Homestead Riesling Reserve

Macari 2013 Reserve Chardonnay

Macari 2013 Reserve Cabernet Franc

Macari 2014 Katherine's Field Sauvignon Blanc

N. Kendall 2012 Dry Riesling

Ventosa 2012 Cabernet Franc

Whitecliff 2013 Cabernet Franc

Whitecliff 2012 Merlot-Malbec

               Several of these wines, especially Raphael's, were also listed as "Cellar Selection" or "Editor's Choice". Long Island remains New York's major red wine region, but one of the most remarkable things is that several New York reds from the Finger Lakes and Hudson River region also received scores of 90 and above.  Not long ago, they said that couldn't be done.

                Not any more!

                     This week was our annual "Washington Week", with lots of changes, excitement, and promise.

                      Trent Preszler, Ph.D., CEO of Bedell Cellars on Long Island, and Chairman of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, is also now the new Chairman of WineAmerica, the national organization of American wineries.  Trent follows a great two-year tenure by Caroline Shaw, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Jackson Family Wines in California, and before her Eddie O'Keefe, co-owner of Chateau Grand Traverse in Michigan.

                       In addition, Dana Huber, who with her husband Ted owns Huber Winery in Indiana, became a Board member, joining the recently appointed Janie Brooks Heuck of Brooks Wines in Oregon.  A new member is St. James Winery in Missouri, the largest winery in the largest Midwestern wine-producing state; we welcome owner Peter Hofherr and his team. WineAmerica has member wineries from 43 states, and a Board structure reflecting the geographical diversity of the country.

                       So how did we spend those two action-packed days? Communicating with one another, and educating our public officials.

                        Here are some questions for our winery colleagues:

                        Would you be opposed to paying less in federal excise taxes?  (That's a trick question: If you answered "yes", you should see a psychiatrist or financial advisor, or both.)  After years of having "excise taxes" as a reactive part of our agenda ("Please don't raise them"), there's now a proactive bill to lower them.  And WineAmerica is all over it.  (Note: That, or anything else, won't happen in this election year, but stay tuned.)

                         Have you been browbeat by representatives of Performing Rights Organizations (PRO's) to pay a fortune for music you play at your winery?  This is a total scam and travesty, especially for small wineries, and WineAmerica is all over it.

                         Would you like to put GMO labels on all your wine bottles?  Oh, we know, there aren't any GMO grapes, but there are some GMO yeasts that go into some wines, and unless something is done this could be a major problem.  WineAmerica is all over it.

                          Would you like to have to analyze every one of your wines to determine calorie counts?  Sorry, but the FDA has changed direction and is now including alcohol in restaurant menu labeling regulations.  Unless someone does something about it, you might have to do this.  But fortunately for you, WineAmerica is all over it.

                          Would you like to have a reliable supply of productive workers?  We're realistic, and know that nothing will be done on Immigration Reform this year, but we never stop beating the drum.  WineAmerica is all over it.

                           Those are just a handful of the many issues we addressed with legislators this week, and they thanked us for the information, which otherwise they might not have had.  (In fact, one very key legislator thought that sparkling wine was made the same way as Seltzer: Just add some spritz from a CO2 canister and--VOILA!--you have sparkling wine!)

                           The New York delegation this year included me, Trent Preszler, Steve Bate (Long Island Wine Council) and Anthony Sanino (Sanino Winery, Long Island) as part of WineAmerica, joined by Jim and Kim Bedient (Bedient Vineyards), Chad Hendrickson (Lakewood Vineyards), and Peter Martini (Martini Vineyards and Anthony Road Winery) as part of Winegrape Growers of America (WA and WGA work in tandem.).  As usual, New York had the largest state delegation, and we're happy to take the time and expense to travel and represent everyone else in our industry.

                           But here's the deal: Join WineAmerica!  You don't have to come to DC (though we'd love to have you join us), but just pay some modest dues to keep this organization fighting for you. Of all the wineries in the U.S. only 6% are dues-paid WineAmerica members, which means the other 94% are getting a free ride!  That's shameful.

                           There are only two employees--Tara Good and Michael Kaiser--who do a great job with limited resources, and we have a great government relations counsel (Meyers & Associates).  But we need your support.

                           To those who are already members, THANK YOU!  To the others, be responsible and CHIP IN!

                            www.wineamerica.org

                           NY Drinks NY, our highly successful program to get New York wines into New York City, is now beginning Phase VI, thanks to another grant from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority in Rochester, with support from the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets.

                           NYDNY is essentially an "exchange program": We bring New York City restaurateurs, wine store managers, and media representatives to the Finger Lakes to experience the region, meet the people, and taste the wines where they're made.  Then we take winery representatives into New York City so they can better understand and work that market, always culminating with a "Grand Tasting" for media, trade, and consumers.

                           Over 40 wineries are participating in the program, which is orchestrated by Marissa Ain (Plate + Decanter), who also manages the prestigious James Beard Awards; and Kayt Mathers, our longtime colleague from Play Nice p.r.  The program has brought major benefits to our industry, and we're very grateful for the grants that make it possible.

                          Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, even though the summer solstice is still several weeks away. In tiny Penn Yan (pop. 5,000+), the normally empty streets become clogged as "lakers" come to their cottages with friends and relatives in tow.  Winery visits increase, signaling the start of the high season that will last through Labor Day, with fall tourism still strong through Columbus Day and even Thanksgiving.

                         It's all great for the local economy, boosting business for gas stations, gift shops, restaurants, hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, and county tax coffers. In the Finger Lakes and across the state, the wine industry has become an economic engine that generates over $4.8 billion annually for the State economy, with a big chunk of it due to the more than 5.3 million tourist visits.

                         Wine: The Ultimate Value-Added Product.