New York Wine & Grape Foundation

Boldly,

celebrated.

The Unity Awards

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.

2023 Award Categories

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

Matthew Spaccarelli Earns the John H. Brahm III Grower Award for Dedication and Contributions to the New York Grape Industry

Kathleen Willcox and Robin Shreeves May 23, 2023

When Matthew Spaccarelli and his partner Casey Erdmann opened Milton’s Fjord Vineyards in 2013, Spaccarelli was already steeped in the Hudson Valley wine industry. He’d taken the leap into all things winegrowing and winemaking in 2006, when his family purchased Benmarl Winery in Marlboro—believed to be America’s oldest vineyard—from the Miller family who started it in the 1960s. Benmarl’s property has grown grapes for around 300 years. Matthew, who had just graduated from college when

View of Hermann J Wiemer Vineyard

Winery of the Year Hermann J. Wiemer’s Ceaseless, Delicious Evolution

Kathleen Willcox and Robin Shreeves May 9, 2023

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard has consistently evolved since it was founded in 1979. “We are always pushing ourselves to move forward,” says Oskar Bynke, co-owner of Hermann J. Wiemer. This unflagging effort was recognized this year by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation with the Winery of the Year Award for contributions to the advancement of the image and reputation of the New York wine industry. “It felt like a true honor because it

jan nyrop standing in a hop field

Jan Nyrop Earns Jim Finkle Industry Award for Career Driving Innovation and Research

Kathleen Willcox and Robin Shreeves April 17, 2023

“I was surprised,” says Jan Peter Nyrop, of the news that the New York Wine & Grape Foundation honored him with the 2023 Jim Finkle Industry Award in recognition of his achievements in the industry. “I didn’t feel like I was doing anything out of the ordinary. I was just doing my job as a faculty member and director. But now, I feel very fortunate and grateful to have my efforts recognized.” The award named

"Diversity is our strength, unity is our power."

Jim Trezise