NEW YORK - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the signing of a series of new laws that will continue the state's efforts to better market and promote New York wine by allowing wine to be sold at roadside farm markets and designating portions of the state highways near wineries and vineyards as "Wine Trails."
“These new laws will build on our continuing efforts to promote New York’s wine industry across the state and beyond, boosting tourism, local economies and job growth,” Governor Cuomo said. “We are increasing market opportunities for local producers and farmers and expanding our wine trails to attract tourists to communities across Upstate New York. Our state is home to hundreds of wineries that produce some of the best wine in the world, and we want both New Yorkers and visitors to come and enjoy them.”
The farm markets legislation (S.267/A.1512) will create a new venue for New York wineries to sell their products by allowing roadside farm markets to sell wine manufactured and produced by up to two licensed farm wineries, special wineries or micro-wineries located within 20 miles of the roadside farm market.
The Governor also signed four wine trail laws: one establishes a new wine trail; one expands an existing wine trail; one both expands two existing wine trails and changes their names; and one simply changes the name of an existing wine trail. Wine trails help guide tourists to local attractions, vineyards, and wine tasting rooms, and to experience all that New York’s wine regions have to offer. There are currently 16 wine trails designated by state law.
Senator William Larkin said, “I am very pleased that two of my bills helping the wine industry were signed into law,” said Senator Larkin. “By authorizing licensed farm stands to sell local wine and expanding the Shawangunk East Wine Trail, we are creating more opportunities for New York State to promote its wine industry. These measures will also boost tourism and grow our local economies. I thank Governor Cuomo for his approval of these two laws.”
Assemblymember William Magee said, “By allowing New York’s wide variety of quality wines to be sold at roadside farm markets, we are opening another door for this important industry. This is a measure that will support the growth of local businesses in our communities, and provide an important boost to wine producers across the state.”
The legislation signed today by the Governor includes the following wine trail designations:
The “Shawangunk East Wine Trail” will be expanded to include State Route 32 from State Route 17 in Orange County, to County Route 94 in New Windsor, to U.S. Route 9-W continuing westward on to U.S. Route 44/State Route 55 within the Town of Lloyd to its intersection with State Route 208 in the Town of Gardiner in Ulster County. (A.4614-A / S.2790-A)
Assemblymember James Skoufis said, “New York wine has hit the national stage and has proven to be a growing industry, especially here in Orange County. Expanding the already successful Shawangunk East Wine Trail benefits our communities by helping attract more tourism to the area while continuing to encourage the growth of new and existing small businesses.”
The “Niagara Escarpment Wine Trail” will be renamed the “Niagara Wine Trail Ridge” and will be extended to include all of State Route 104 through State Route 390. The “Niagara Wine Trail” will be renamed the “Niagara Wine Trail Lake” and will be extended to include portions of Country Route 269, State Routes 104 and 18, County Route 425, and U.S Route 62 in Niagara and Erie Counties. (A.2024-A / S.1095-A)
Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) said, “As the wine industry grows in the Niagara Region, we need to keep supporting it and helping it realize its potential. The Niagara Wine Trial is a homegrown success story that lead to jobs and tourists in our area. I thank the governor for recognizing how important this measure is to our communities.”
The newly established “Adirondack Coast Wine Trail” will begin at Exit 35 of the I-87 in the Town of Peru and continue into the Town of Plattsburgh. (S.1013-B / A.3758-C)
Senator Betty Little said, “Communities in the North Country have found great success in growing grapes and producing wine, and the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail will help promote and direct people to this local treasure. The number of wineries is increasing in the region, and we look forward to adding more as the industry grows.”
Assemblymember Janet L. Duprey, said, “I am pleased the Governor has signed into Law the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail legislation. This bill which was strongly supported by local wineries, the North Country Chamber of Commerce and the Farm Bureau will bring further attention to this growing agribusiness. Our local wineries offer great views of the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain while providing a wide variety of award winning wines. As the first international wine trail, the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail will connect to trails in Vermont and Quebec supporting tourism throughout the region.”
The “Chautauqua Wine Trail” will be renamed the “Lake Erie Wine Country Trail.” The route will remain unchanged. (S.3923-B / A.5721-B)
Senator Catharine M. Young, said, "New York’s wine industry is a robust and thriving part of our agricultural sector and one of our state’s greatest economic assets. Our wine and wineries often go unheralded, which is why this legislation is so important to making consumers aware of all that New York State wine has to offer. Through strengthened marketing and promotional efforts we will improve wine tourism and economic development and our state will benefit significantly."
Assemblymember Andrew Goodell said, “The Lake Erie Wine Country Trial highlights the largest concord grape growing area in the nation and our historic villages, lakes, unspoiled woods and farmland that are unique from Silver Creek to Harborcreek, Pennsylvania. Since its creation in 2000, the trail has continued to grow, and now includes over 30,000 acres of vineyards with a long list of world class wineries. With today’s re-branding of the Chautauqua Wine Trail – now the Lake Erie Wine Country Trail – we are able to implement a joint marketing program with our friends and neighbors in Pennsylvania, bringing national attention to these great resources and spurring economic success for farms, vineyards and all businesses across Chautauqua County. In addition to our own marketing efforts, we will now also benefit from the marketing efforts of the Pennsylvania wineries, thereby making the entire region even more attractive as a destination”
New York is home to nearly 500 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Producers account for more than $22 billion in annual total economic impact in the state and support tens of thousands of jobs statewide. The state ranks third in the nation in wine and grape production, has the second-most distilleries, and three of the top-producing 20 brewers in the United States are located in New York.
Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has worked to further develop this industry, which is a major driver of job creation and economic development in communities across the state.
- In July 2012, the Governor signed legislation designed to support New York's breweries and wineries, as well as increase demand for locally grown farm products, and expand industry-related economic development and tourism.
- In October 2012, the Governor hosted New York's first Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit where he announced plans for a new marketing campaign to promote state-produced wine, beer, cider and spirits sales and tourism, as well as a series of regulatory reforms that will significantly reduce business costs for beverage producers. The Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit was attended by dozens of beer, wine, cider, and spirits producers, as well as farmers, industry officials, and tourism experts, who discussed with state agency officials and members of the Governor's Cabinet specific legislative and regulatory issues facing the beer and wine industry. The participants also explored new ways for the state to work as a partner to further solidify New York's position as a leading hub of beer, wine and spirits production and tourism.
- The 2013-14 State Budget introduced several new initiatives to help improve the marketing of New York State products, including a total of $7 million for Market New York and Taste NY to support a multi-faceted regional marketing plan that will promote regional tourism and New York goods and products.
- This August, the Governor hosted the Governor’s Cup and wine tour in the Finger Lakes region, which brought together leading wine industry professionals, restaurateurs and tourism officials to promote the state’s award-winning wines. After presenting the Governor’s Cup, the Governor launched a television ad campaign to help promote New York State wines and encourage the purchase of locally produced wine and products through the Taste NY initiative.
Jeffrey Dale Starr is a wine enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.
