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.

2022 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.
$2,000 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.
$2,500 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.
$2,000 Award

John H. Brahm III Grower Award

This award recognizes an individual for dedication and contributions to the New York grape industry.
$1,000 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.
$1,000 Award

Researcher Award

This award recognizes major contributions in the area of grape growing processing, and wine research.
$1,000 Award

Sustainability Award

This award recognizes an organization or winery that has exemplified sustainable practices.
$1,000 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

robert ketchin

How Robert Ketchin, Despite Long Odds, Created a Market for New York Wine in Canada

Kathleen Willcox and Robin Shreeves May 9, 2022

Finding a niche for unfamiliar wine in a large market is a Sisyphean, largely unheralded, task. Given the choice between two similarly priced items, one of which is a known entity, and the other of which they’ve never heard of, most consumers—whether they’re shopping for lawn equipment or Riesling—are going to opt for the one they’ve heard of. Robert Ketchin has been honored by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation with the Jim Finkle

Brittany Gibson is building community within the Finger Lakes Wine Industry

Kathleen Willcox and Robin Shreeves April 26, 2022

Brittany Gibson (Photo provided) We’ve all heard the one about the butterfly wing and the tornado. It’s an extreme, but instructive reminder of the fact that small actions can have outsize effects. Take Brittany Gibson. Gibson is the executive director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, responsible for the marketing and promotion of the trail’s 27 member wineries. She’s part of a “tiny but mighty team of two,” as she puts it, dedicated to ultimately

John and Ann Martini

John Martini’s Distinct Brand of Personal and Professional Success

Kathleen Willcox and Robin Shreeves April 25, 2022

John and Ann Martini (Photo provided) Personal success is one thing. Professional success is another. But both? It’s rare that one person can manage to capture both, and with grace. John Martini’s achievements in both realms are extraordinary, and in recognition of his accomplishments, the New York Wine & Grape Foundation has honored him with the Jim Trezise Lifetime Achievement Award. We had to ask the husband of 1, father of 4, grandfather of 12,

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

Jim Trezise