The Unity Awards were created in 1990 as a way to recognize, encourage, and celebrate cooperation among grape growers, wineries (and their staff), researchers, retailers and others to advance the entire industry. The winery and grower community in New York state has a rich history of working and succeeding together despite facing a variety of challenges through the years. Recognizing the longstanding and bold spirit of our community members and their numerous achievements, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation is proud to continue honoring industry leaders & champions of New York wine for more than 30 years.
Jim Trezise Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the New York wine and grape industry and made impactful contributions that advanced the industry.
$2,500 Award
Phyllis Feder Unity Award
This award recognizes individuals who have volunteered their time, shown exceptional leadership, and achieved recognized results in building industry cooperation and unity.
$500 Award
Jim Trezise Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the New York wine and grape industry and made impactful contributions that advanced the industry.
$500 Award
Jim Finkle Industry Award
This award is intentionally broad in scope in order to recognize outstanding achievements in aspects of the industry not directly covered by Unity and other awards.
$500 Award
John H. Brahm III Grower Award
This award recognizes an individual for dedication and contributions to the New York grape industry.
$500 Award
Winery Award
This award recognizes a winery that has made major contributions to advancing the image and reputation of the New York wine industry.
$500 Award
Researcher Award
This award recognizes major contributions in the area of grape growing processing, and wine research.
$500 Award
Sustainability Award
This award recognizes an organization or winery that has exemplified sustainable practices.
$500 Award
Ron Reals Distributor Award
This award recognizes achievement in distributing and promoting New York wines.
$500 Award
Restaurant Award
This award recognizes excellence in promoting New York wines in a fine dining experience.
$500 Award
Retailer Award
This award is presented to wine stores which do an exceptional job in educating consumers about the quality and variety of New York wines.
$500 Award
Consumer Award
This award recognizes enthusiastic support of the New York wine industry and exemplifying the use of wine as part of a happy, healthy lifestyle.
$500 Award
A Love Letter to our Wine Industry
There is an old saying that “Life begins at forty.” I think the origin of that was in ancient Greece where the virgins guarding the temple were relieved of their duties at age forty and then permitted to take part in a fuller life. Happily, I was raised in the Bronx and never subjected to these restrictions. But I did have an opportunity to start a new life when at age 50, I met and
New York Wine & Grape Foundation Announces 2023 Unity Award Nominations Process
NYWGF is pleased to provide our community with the opportunity to recognize the champions among us once again. You are invited to submit your nominations for the 2023 Unity Awards. The Unity Awards were created in 1990 to recognize, encourage, and celebrate cooperation among grape growers, wineries, researchers, retailers, and others to advance the entire industry. Our industry has a rich history of working and succeeding together despite facing a variety of challenges through the
The story of wine grape-growing in New York is one of trial and error. When colonists attempted to plant the Vinifera vines they brought from Europe, the vines failed to thrive in the different climate and soils. Early New York settlers had no choice but to make wine from native grapes. It wasn’t until the mid-1800s that researchers discovered that grafting Vinifera vines onto native American grape rootstocks made it possible to successfully grow Vinifera.
"Diversity is our strength, unity is our power."