10/03/2013

NY Wine Trails Expanded

Local wineries across upstate New York now have new opportunities to lure in visitors with the recent expansion of the state wine trail system. Governor Cuomo just signed legislation that will allow the Niagara Wine Trail Ridge and Niagara Wine Trail Lake to grow in western New York in addition to the expansion of the Shawangunk East Wine Trail in the lower Hudson Valley. The Governor also put pen to paper creating the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail in Clinton County.

We appreciate the Governor’s support of New York’s vineyards and farm based wineries. The wine trail system has proven itself to be an economic generator drawing in tourists from around the state and the world to sample and purchase our award winning wines. The wineries themselves pay for the road signs marking the trail, and there is no cost to the state, only an economic benefit. The cross promotion and branding of a Wine Trail as a destination allows the state’s smaller farm and commercial wineries the opportunity to work together to capture new customers. Also, the additional visitors to the respective regions provide a spin-off boost to the rural economies as well.

In addition to the expansions, a separate bill changes the name of the Chautauqua Wine Trail in Chautauqua County to the Lake Erie Wine Trail.

“New York Farm Bureau worked closely with the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, a number of winemakers and their respective state legislators, as well as the New York Department of Transportation to make these important changes to the wine trail system. We very much appreciate Governor Cuomo’s support and faith in our local wineries to provide an economic boost to their communities and to add to the quality of life in the state,” said Dean Norton, President of New York Farm Bureau.