Leadership Summit
The Up State of Wine
Together, we’ll change the trajectory of New York Wines.
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation will host the inaugural New York Wine Industry Leadership Summit on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the New Yorker Hotel.
This Leadership Summit will convene winery owners, grape growers, marketers, distributors, policymakers, and allied professionals from across the state for a focused, working conversation about the future of our industry.
Why this Summit, Why Now?
The global wine industry is at a pivotal moment.
Worldwide oversupply, shifting consumer preferences, and the rise of health-conscious drinking habits are reshaping markets faster than ever. In the United States, total wine consumption has declined 16% since 2019, marking the first demand-driven correction the category has experienced in decades.
For New York wine, this moment represents both challenge and opportunity.
Younger consumers are drinking less—but drinking better—seeking authenticity, sustainability, and experiences that align with their values. To succeed in this environment, our industry must move beyond incremental change and toward coordinated, forward-looking strategies.
The New York Wine Industry Leadership Summit is designed to help us meet this moment together—with clarity, collaboration, and purpose.
What to Expect
This is not a traditional conference.
The Leadership Summit is a working, solutions-oriented gathering built around the World Café method—a facilitated conversation format designed to encourage meaningful dialogue across large groups.
Rather than passive panels or presentations, participants will engage directly with one another to identify shared challenges and opportunities, explore new ideas and perspectives, build alignment around common priorities, and more.
Every voice in the room matters. The goal is not just conversation—but momentum that extends beyond the day itself.
Featured Speakers & Guests
The Leadership Summit will be anchored by nationally respected voices who bring data-driven insight, consumer perspective, and industry context to the conversation:
Christian Miller
Research Director, Wine Market Council
Christina Pickard
Writer At-Large, Wine Enthusiast
Wanda Mann
East Coast Editor, SOMM Journal
Summit Focus Areas
Marketing: Attracting the Next Generation
Younger consumers are not novices—they simply have different expectations. Converting them requires emotional connection, premium storytelling, sustainability, and lifestyle relevance. Together, we’ll explore how New York wine can meet consumers where they are and build lasting loyalty.
Tourism: Strengthening Regional Economies
New York wine is defined by small, family-owned businesses that anchor regional identity and drive rural economic activity. We’ll examine how wine tourism can be strengthened to support these businesses and the communities around them.
Public Policy: Building Long-Term Resilience
From agriculture and tourism to workforce development and infrastructure, public policy plays a critical role in the health of our wine regions. The Summit will explore how coordinated strategies between industry and government can support long-term resilience and growth.
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