The New York Wine and Grape Foundation (NYWGF) recently received a $47,500 Value Added Producers Grant (VAPG) from the USDA to further develop the marketing behind the New York Sustainable Winegrowing program. New York Sustainable Wine Growing certifies vineyards throughout the state that exceed the standards set forth in all 9 objectives in VineBalance. Certified vineyards exemplify the principles of responsible agriculture that are necessary for the longevity of the wine industry. Funds from the VAPG will not only be used to expand the capacity of the program to educate consumers but also to provide growers with the resources to tell their own sustainability stories.

“This grant funding builds on the marketing plan and Trustmark developed under a previous VAPG grant for the Sustainable Wine Growing Program.  We expect the first wines to be released in 2024 bearing the program’s Trustmark and this funding will supercharge our marketing efforts to promote those wines and the vineyards certified by the program.”

With the USDA’s support, the NYWGF can expand its educational outreach. Viticulturists and winemakers producing environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable wine will be able to communicate their practices more effectively. Consumers can use this information to make more informed purchasing decisions about the producers they wish to support. Keep your eye out for events and opportunities funded by this grant in 2024 and 2025. We are excited for you to join us in the sustainable future of the wine industry.