Field Notes: Long Island reds- in it for the long run .
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A message from Sam Filler, Executive Director....
Amid all the COVID-19 chaos, we want to stop and take a moment to express our gratitude to our exceptional Brand Ambassador, Paul Brady, who will be leaving the Foundation Team to take on new and exciting professional opportunities in the wine industry.
As you know, Paul served as the first ever New York wines Brand Ambassador, and did so in admirable fashion for the past two years. Paul, in partnership with Jenn Cooper, elevated the reputation and quality of the NY Drinks NY program. He successfully recruited participation of the highest credentialed sommeliers and beverage buyers from New York’s most recognized restaurants and retail stores. A highlight of Paul’s time here was his work with iconic places like the MoMA café, Temple Court, and Terroir to secure multiple by-the-glass placements for NYDNY wineries. Additionally, Paul was part of our Export Team that traveled abroad to lead events and master classes on New York wines in the Western European and Canadian markets. We were particularly proud when Wine Enthusiast recognized Paul for his impact on the industry by naming him a 40 Under 40 Tastemaker last year!
We thank Paul for his tireless efforts on behalf of New York wines. Paul’s last day with the New York Wine & Grape Foundation will be Friday, March 27th. Please join us in raising a glass to him for his outstanding achievements, and for his continued success as an advocate for cool-climate Northeast wines. Please enjoy Paul's last Press Deck editorial as a member of the Foundation Team.
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MANHATTAN, March 2, 2020
There was definitely a feeling of anticipation as the eight winery representatives and ten members of the trade sat around the communal table in the private dining room of
Craft Restaurant in early March. Nine wines, three savory courses, three wines per course was the setting. The room was quiet and remained so throughout much of the lunch. Attention to detail was the angle at this tasting because it’s not often that anyone is able to taste nine Long Island red wines with a minimum of ten plus years of bottle age as the entry criteria.
Any serious drinker of red wines should be excited by this opportunity, but New York red wines are not ubiquitously in the lexicon that includes “do not drink until” language. But that will change and is exactly why we’ve done this, now two years running.
I must applaud each of the
NY Drinks NY participating Long Island wineries and any New York winery who keeps a library of their wines. By being able to show the fine wine trade how your wines age is perhaps the best tool for selling current vintage reserve, rare, or more expensive bottlings. Even better if your library is large enough to sell some of that inventory to, say, a restaurant with a highly visible wine program. (All it takes is one bottle to be listed.)
It’s actually easier than one might think to read about the past vintages of New York. Many of the wines tasted at this lunch -- which ranged from 2010 and back to 2001 -- have been well-reviewed in the most important wine periodicals. But really, the only way to assess these wines is to taste them now because reviews, while often helpful, are never absolute.
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There is so much that is exciting in Long Island wine country at the moment. With the momentum of
Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing and with the Long Island Wine Council having reorganized and rebranded to
Long Island Wine Country, it’s easy to feel, see, and taste that the Long Island wineries are ready and eager to be where they deserve, which is on the world stage. While this may sound like hyperbole, a far louder megaphone feels similarly.
We could split hairs critiquing the wines, which included blends, Merlots, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and even a varietal Petit Verdot (which appears more than you might think as a varietal wine on Long Island), but the point of this is to drink these wines at the table where they belong in an effort to better understand where our wines have been, and where they will go.
Wolffer Estate winemaker Roman Roth joked as he decanted and tasted his own wines at our first of these lunches last year when he brought a 2002 Merlot, “It’s still too young.” He did the same this year with his 2001s (though I may have egged him on this time). Still, I agree. That one, and all these wines, have life yet to live.
Until next year...
-Paul Brady
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U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit East Postponed
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Due to the uncertainty of the next few months caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Summit partner organizers have postponed the 2020 U.S. Sustainable Winegrowing Summit. The new dates for the Summit are
April 20-21, 2021.
Please note that many airlines are currently providing special accommodations to travelers who need to cancel or change their flight plans. If you booked a hotel room, please remember to call and cancel your reservation in advance to avoid fees.
Read More...
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Cuomo Announces Bars & Restaurants Can Sell To-Go Cocktails During Coronavirus Shutdown
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Governor Andrew Cuomo
addressed reporters this mornin
g about the new wave of restrictions to fight the spread of coronavirus and encourage people to stay isolated after a weekend in which
many New Yorkers displayed a cavalier attitude
about the virus. Cuomo, along side NJ Gov. Phil Murphy and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, said that all casinos, gyms, theaters, restaurants and bars will close as of 8 p.m. tonight. (
On Sunday night
Mayor Bill de Blasio had given establishments until Tuesday morning, but at this morning's press conference Cuomo said his executive order overrules the mayor's.)
Read more...

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Cornell helping NYS wineries craft sustainable future
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For the first time in more than two decades, U.S. consumers are drinking less wine. Younger consumers aren’t engaging with it like their older peers, and are drinking less in general, but sustainably produced wine could change that. According to
a 2019 Wine Intelligence consumer survey
, sustainable wine had the highest future purchase consideration. And nine in 10 millennials said they’d be willing to pay more for it. To respond to this shift, Cornell experts are helping New York state wineries navigate new research, farming techniques, technologies and business trends to become leaders in sustainability.
Read more...

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New York Wine Industry: COVID-19 Resources
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To our Community:
We have created a private Facebook group for industry members to get updates, ask questions, and share information. We invite you to join as a way to connect during this turbulent time. We hope that this group will offer a common place for us to share updates and answer questions, as well as a place for wineries to share with each other. The situation is fast changing, and we are all dealing with uncharted territory. There will be kinks to work out as we navigate. Please be kind and patient.
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SVB's Survey on Successful Consumer Wine Sales
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Silicon Valley Bank
’s Wine Division sent out the annual direct to consumer survey to wineries on March 2. This annual survey provides the industry the information and analysis it needs to find success in this critical channel. This year, we expect the survey to be open from March 2 to 20.
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WINERY PARTICIPATION:
Those wineries that complete the survey will receive the full set of anonymous survey responses as well as custom charts and analysis.
RESULTS:
If we receive a statistically significant number of responses from your AVA, then we will send you separate charts and graphs that will enable you to compare your AVA results to those of the overall US wine business. You may use and share this information using your brand however you like.
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Thank You to these Renewing Members...
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We truly appreciate your continued support year after year.
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Wineries:
- Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
- Standing Stone Vineyards
- Colloca Estate Winery
Growers:
Business Associates:
- Headley's Discount Liquor Barn
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2020 Vision for a Safe and Healthy Environment
for Wineries & Vineyards
Now is the time to think about all you can do to help ensure the health & safety of both your staff and guests!
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Before the season is in full-swing. Join Risk Services Manager, Voncho Spasevski, and two NY agents, Alex Arrigo and Brad Storch, from American National’s Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company, as they review a list of items to consider involving four key areas of responsibility: your property, employees, visitors, and special events.

This webinar is FREE and open to ALL!
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Wed, March 25, 2020
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
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Incentives to Reduce, or Eliminate, Your Electric Costs
Join us with our Business Associate Member, Solar Liberty, as they lead you through the many benefits of utilizing solar energy.
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Information will include various grant options and tax benefits associated with going solar. Thanks to these incentives, commercial scale applications typically see a very quick return on investment. A solar installation can pay for itself in as little as 2-4 years and is warrantied to produce for 25 years! Businesses all over New York State are seeing considerable utility savings to help maximize revenue. As we move towards sustainability, learn about how you can benefit.”
This webinar is FREE, but only open to NYWGF Members - Register today!
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Wed, April 15, 2020
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
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