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News and Updates from the New York Wine & Grape Foundation

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Kelby James Russell & Julia Hoyle, New York’s Winemaking Supercouple

Though neither planned on a career in winemaking, Kelby James Russell and Julia Hoyle have come to be recognized winemakers in the Finger Lakes and beyond and are well-respected for the quality of their wines. Together the two have accumulated more than a hundred 90+ scores from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits, and other well-known periodicals including distinctions for Top 100, Best Buy, Editor’s Choice, and Year’s Best

A Long History of Sustainability at Silver Thread Vineyard

Silver Thread Vineyard was established in 1982 on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, at the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region. At this location the bottom of the lake drops almost 200 feet below sea level, a dramatic mass of water that creates a distinct microclimate on the leeward (eastern) hillside — cooling breezes in summer, radiating warmth through the winter, and extending the length of the growing season.

vineyard at sunset

Leading by Example: Sustainability & Biodynamics at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

Attitudes, practices, and policies have been changing especially in the last decade with regards to sustainability. There is mounting concern for personal health, and environmental and social problems that the world is facing including sickness and disease, extinction of plant and animal species, depletion natural resources, global warming, etc.

different colors of wine being poured into glasses

New York Wines: May 2020 Best Buys

Love Scoring Deals? Check out this month’s New York Wine Best Buys…. New York wineries produce a myriad of world-class, quality wines that are impressive on their own, but even more remarkable when paired with food. For those looking to score a great bottle of wine at a great price, these New York Wine Best Buys are for you. This month’s wines are priced at $18-$20 per bottle, highlighting some

New York Winery Spotlight: Lakewood Vineyards

Nestled just off the southwestern shores of Seneca Lake in the heart of New York’s magnificent Finger Lakes wine country is where you’ll find Lakewood Vineyards. Once a run-down peach and apple orchard, this multi-generational, family-run winery celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2019. Today, Lakewood farms over 90 acres of vineyards and produces nearly 16,800 cases of wine from over 15 varieties of grapes. A highlight of the winery is its outdoor tasting bar which features a louvered roof and a spectacular view of Seneca Lake.  At Lakewood, the

The future of farming and great winemaking in New York: Sustainability at Wagner Vineyards

Five generations of the Wagner family have been growing grapes and making wine in the Finger Lakes for decades. The Wagner Vineyards philosophy is that great wines begin in the vineyard and their success can be attributed to the strict standards of excellence that they employ in their grape growing and winemaking processes. As stewards of the land, they believe that sustainable practices are responsible and respectful to the environment. As a business, they believe that their economic stability is tied directly to how they treat the environment. Although there is a genuine

bedell cellars aerial

The future of farming and great winemaking in New York: Sustainability at Bedell Cellars

At Bedell Cellars, sustainability is at the forefront of their vineyard management and winemaking programs. Their distinctive, terroir-driven wines are a direct result of their focus on biodiversity in the vineyard. Bedell Winemaker, Rich Olsen-Harbich has been a pioneer of winemaking in New York for over 30 years and co-founded Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing (LISW) in 2012.   LISW consists of a group vineyards and wineries who have joined together to be stewards of the Long Island region by adhering to core management criteria – it is the first of its kind on the East

Organic Carrot-Ginger Soup

As we find ourselves cooking at home much more these days, one thing is certain… deciding on a dinner menu can be a daunting task. If you’re not quite sure what you’re in the mood for, let us help! This mouth-watering soup from Chef Samantha Buyskes, of Simply Red Catering a great start to a Summer meal. Quick and easy to prepare and sure to impress your guests. Of course,

New York Wines: April 2020 Best Buys

Love Scoring Deals? Check out this month’s New York Wine Best Buys… New York wineries produce a myriad of world-class, quality wines that are impressive on their own, but even more remarkable when paired with food. For those looking to score a great bottle of wine at a great price, these New York Wine Best Buys are for you. This month’s list spans the state from Long Island to the

Meet Rocky Road, Birdie & Fenway: New York Winery Dogs

Dogs give us plenty to be thankful for. Their ability to feel happiness so effortlessly teaches us to remember life’s simple pleasures, to live in the moment, and to love unconditionally. New York State’s winery dogs transform the lives and experiences of everyone who has the pleasure to meet them. Discover the winery pups that serve as greeters, morale builders, sales pooches, and vineyard helpers to make New York’s wineries

Wine & Spirits Magazine awards 93, 92, & 91 Points, Best Buy, and Top 100 Values of the Year to Estate-Grown Rieslings

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars is proud to announce that three of their estate-bottled Rieslings from the 2018 vintage received over 90 points in Wine & Spirits Magazine as well as Best Buy and Top 100 Values of the Year. The magazine also named Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars as one of its Top Value All-Stars. 93 Points – 2018 Round Rock Vineyard Riesling – $23.99. Current Release92 Points – 2018 Red

Montezuma Winery Dedicates Hidden Marsh Distillery to Aid Local Organizations in Hand Sanitizer Shortage

Contact InformationName: Kelly BurnettTitle: Marketing ManagerMontezuma Winery & Hidden Marsh Distillery2981 US Route 20, Seneca Falls, NY 13148Phone: 315-568-8190Email: kelly@montezumawinery.com April 10, 2020 — Seneca Falls, NY: Since the COVID-19 outbreak started, Montezuma Winery and Hidden Marsh Distillery wanted to do their part amid the global pandemic to help out local hospitals and organizations that are facing this outbreak head on. The winery dedicated its distillery to making hand sanitizer –

Interview with Linda Pierro, Co-founder/Managing Editor, Hudson Valley Wine Magazine

NYWGF: When was the moment you fell in love with wine/wine industry? LP: It sounds cliché, but being from an Italian family there was always a love of wine. Dinner wasn’t complete without a large jug of homemade wine at the table-simple wines, usually served in a water glass. No label, no frills. I grew up on Long Island when the wine industry was in its infancy, and visiting those early vineyards piqued my interest in the agricultural aspects. Eventually

Meet Kelby James Russell, Red Newt Cellars

Raised on an Erie Canal town just north of the Finger Lakes, like so many teenagers before him, Kelby was certain he would never return after High School. To his surprise, after graduating from Harvard College in 2009 he found himself learning winemaking in the Finger Lakes rather than living and working in an East Coast city. To his delight, he couldn’t be happier. Kelby interned at Fox Run Vineyards