New York Sustainable Winegrowing is a comprehensive program that includes educational events and resources as well as an official certification process for Vineyards who are seeking to advance their environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Certification is based on science backed regionally defined standards and independent third-party audits so you can feel confident in the wine you are drinking.
Look for our Trustmark at Vineyards and wineries and on bottles in 2024 to ensure that the wine you are enjoying is environmentally sound, socially equitable, and financially sustainable.
Certification is based on maintaining a minimum score in the VineBalance workbook. This workbook is designed to provide grape growers in New York and other regions of the Northeast with guidance in evaluating and adopting best management practices that minimize environmental impacts, reduce economic risks, and protect worker health and safety. Standards in the workbook are set by a panel of experts including academics, industry members, and extension specialists focusing on practices relevant to New York grape production. Annually, these standards undergo review and revision to ensure they are up to date with science based best practices and economic feasibility. Currently the workbook features nine objectives.
NYWGF is pleased to announce the release of VineBalance 2023 as the latest edition of New York’s statewide code of sustainable winegrowing.
The current list of vineyards achieving certification are as follows:
Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes (con’t)
Hudson Valley
Long Island
Champlain Valley
Niagara
*Vineyards marked with an asterisk are also members of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
October 10, 2022 | VineBalance 2023 Released |
December 30, 2022 | Completed VineBalance Due |
February – May, 2023 | In-person Audits Conducted |
September 20th, 2023 – Penn Yan, NY — The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is pleased to announce the culmination of its Brand Expansion project in partnership with Born Collective. The goal of this initiative, which began in April 2022, was to create tools and resources designed to increase the recognition of the New York wine and grape industry to global trade, media, and consumer audiences. NYWGF is now proud to provide a
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Valerie Venezia-RossPhone: 1 (518) 229-3765Email: valerieross@nywgf.org [PENN YAN, NY August 29, 2023] – With the launch of the New York Sustainable Winegrowing program, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is working to develop a local wine industry that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable for future generations. The Porto Protocol Foundation’s leadership in international collaboration on sustainable wine issues highlights the global impact of the climate crisis and the importance
Located on Seneca Lake, Silver Thread Vineyard is one of the oldest grape-growing sites in the region. The winery’s previous owners were the first to obtain organic certification in the Finger Lakes, and its current owners Shannon and Paul Brock continue the winery’s legacy of sustainability by building upon its organic roots. In recognition of this continued work, Silver Thread is the recipient of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation Sustainability Award in the
2023 Unity Awards: Sustainability Recipient - Silver Thread Vineyards
Silver Thread Vineyard is a boutique estate winery located on the east side of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region. Sustainability is important to us, and we grow our grapes using regenerative and biological practices for exceptional purity and expression. Co-owner/winemakers Paul and Shannon Brock have owned the business for 12 years.
“We have always valued the collaborative approach of Finger Lakes wineries and have tried to give back at least as much as we receive from this terrific industry. It's humbling and exciting to be recognized by our peers for our sustainability efforts.” says, Paul Brock, Co-owner and Estate Manager.
NYWGF is a Founding Member of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable
The Sustainable Wine Roundtable (SWR) is an independent, nonprofit, multi-stakeholder initiative to unite the international wine community around a consensus definition of sustainable wine. The mission of the SWR is to develop guidelines and best practices to advance sustainability in all aspects of wine production and trade. As a Founding Member, the Foundation will join with sister programs to share expertise and develop a global sustainability standard for wine. For more information, visit this link.
NYWGF Joins Porto Protocol
The NYWGF Sustainability Program would not be possible without support from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, USDA Rural Development, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority, Yates County, New York State Wine Grape Growers, and John Ingle of Ingle Vineyard and Heron Hill Winery.