October is a month that naturally invites us to gather. Here in New York, the colors start changing, harvest is in full swing, the air smells of grapes, and vineyards across the state buzz with energy. This season, the national movement Come Over October (COO) is once again asking wine lovers to do something simple yet powerful: invite someone over, open a bottle of wine, and celebrate connection.
“Come Over October captures the spirit of New York wines. Our wines are meant to be enjoyed at the table, with friends, family, and community,” says Sam Filler, Executive Director of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF). “This month is a reminder that wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass, it’s about who you share it with.”
Why COO Belongs in New York
Few places embody the spirit of COO more naturally than New York. Our state’s wine industry is powered by small, family-owned wineries and multigenerational grape growers who farm with care and craft wines meant to be shared.
With nearly 500 wineries spread across diverse regions, New York wine is deeply rooted in accessibility; it’s made by families, for families, and for communities of every kind. Wines here are not just reserved for special occasions or lofty cellars—they’re approachable, award-winning, and designed to be enjoyed with the foods and flavors we love most.
Even more, New York’s wine industry thrives on collaboration. Growers and winemakers work hand-in-hand, sharing knowledge and resources to lift each other up. That cooperative spirit, neighbors helping neighbors, colleagues celebrating one another’s success, is the epitome of COO.
“I like to share New York wines with my family and friends because each bottle carries the story of our hardworking grape growers and winemakers—people I know and admire,” reflects Jennifer Cooper, NYWGF Membership Manager. “When you open a bottle, you’re not just tasting wine, you’re connecting to their lives and the places that shape them.”
How We Celebrate Connection
For our team at the NYWGF, COO is more than an idea—it’s a reminder of why we do this work. It’s about slowing down, opening a bottle, and sharing a moment.
Kim Hughes, NYWGF Director of Finance, connects COO to her own harvest traditions.
“Fall is my favorite season. I recently invited Meg, my co-worker, to ride along while my dad and I harvested grapes. For me, Come Over October means sharing whatever role you play in New York’s wine story. It’s about opening a bottle, opening your world, and inviting others in.”
Kim is also looking forward to new experiences.
“This year I’ll be taking my first trip to Long Island wine country,” she adds. “Experiencing another region firsthand feels like the perfect way to celebrate—and to raise a glass to everything New York wine represents.”
For Justin Jackson, New York Sustainable Winegrowing Program Manager, COO is both fun and educational.
“I love sharing a sparkling wine made from Cayuga white—it’s celebratory, delicious, and a chance to talk about hybrid grapes and sustainability,” he explains. “Add a fall meal with pumpkin and apples, and suddenly wine becomes a bridge between friends and the land around us.”
Dana Alexander, Director of Operations, finds her joy in simple gatherings.
“For me, COO means enjoying a meal with friends that includes New York wine. I’ve been loving the Grüner Veltliner from Weis Vineyards, and I can’t wait to share it at a potluck dinner this fall.”
She also sees COO as a way to build community.
“It doesn’t have to be a big event—just a potluck with friends is enough,” Dana remarks. “Wine has a way of turning even a simple dinner into a celebration.”
For Kyle Anne Pallischeck, Director of Programs, that moment is often bubbly.
“Everything sparkling, always! From casual football get-togethers (Go Bills!) to harvest celebrations, there’s always an opportunity to share New York wines. Cool-climate wines with bright acidity are perfect for gatherings—refreshing, versatile, and something for everyone.”
Kyle also sees COO as a chance to reconnect.
“By October, the rush of summer and harvest settles, and it feels like the perfect time to bring people back together,” she notes. “Sharing New York wines with friends reminds me why I love this work—it’s never just about the wine, it’s about the moments it creates.”
And Meg Hopkins, Communications Manager, is using the NYWGF’s own tools to celebrate.
“This year I’m hosting, what we call, a Friend’s Dinner where we get together, watch football, and eat a homemade meal from a new recipe. I’ll be trying a few new recipes this month and pairing each of my dishes with a New York wine using our Food Pairing Guides,” she shares. “It’s such an easy way to showcase the diversity of our wines while making dinner extra memorable.”
Meg is also reminded of the joy of discovery.
“On a recent visit to the Hudson Valley, I picked up wines from Millbrook Winery to compare with the wines from the Finger Lakes, where I grew up. Sharing those differences with friends has been such a fun way to celebrate the diversity of our regions.”
Making It Easy to Join In
There are plenty of ways to bring New York wines into your gatherings this October. Our Food Pairing Guides, available in four different languages, make it simple to find the right bottle for any dish—whether it’s a five-course dinner or a casual evening with comfort food.
If you’re ready to explore New York in person, the Wine Enthusiast New York Wines page offers interactive maps, winery listings, and editorial features to help you plan the perfect trip. And for those looking to celebrate sustainability, our interactive map highlights vineyards and wineries certified through the New York Sustainable Winegrowing Program—making it easy to support wineries that care for the land for generations to come.
If you are looking to drink wines made from certified sustainable grapes, be sure to look for our Sustainability Trustmark on the back of New York State wine bottles.
“I already think October is the best month of the year because it’s my birth month—but also because it’s a chance to share New York wines with the people I love,” Sam adds with a smile. “Whether it’s a birthday dinner or a holiday meal, I always bring New York wines to the table.”
A Toast to October
This month, we invite you to raise a glass with us. Whether you’re gathering family for a Sunday dinner, catching up with friends, or planning a visit to one of New York’s wine regions, Come Over October is about making wine part of the everyday moments that connect us.
As Jenn beautifully puts it: “Wine isn’t just about what’s in the glass—it’s about who you share it with.”
So, how will you celebrate Come Over October? However you choose, we hope it includes a bottle of New York wine and the people who make life worth toasting.
