The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) today announced the successful completion of its 2025-26 Mini-Grant Program, which awarded $21,000 in small grants to wineries, grape growers, wine trails, and regional organizations across New York State. The program supported a diverse range of marketing, education, and business development initiatives, from targeted digital advertising campaigns and professional video production to business consulting, staff training, and international market exposure.

“The Mini-Grant Program exists because we know that some of the most impactful ideas in this industry happen in real time, outside of strategic plans and funding cycles,” said Sam Filler, Executive Director of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. “This year’s recipients put these grants to work in remarkable ways, growing their businesses, reaching new audiences, and elevating the reputation of New York wine both here at home and on the world stage. We are incredibly proud of what this community has accomplished.”

A Diverse Portfolio of Impact

The 2025-26 Mini-Grant Program funded projects spanning digital marketing, brand development, business consulting, workforce training, event activations, and international promotion, reflecting the breadth of needs across New York’s wine and grape community.

Among the standout projects:

Cab Franc Forward NY leveraged grant funding to support its second annual Grand Tasting at the Prince George Ballroom in New York City, a sold-out event that brought together 40 participating wineries from across New York’s major AVAs for more than 600 trade professionals, media members, influencers, and consumers. The event featured a masterclass hosted by renowned wine educator Kevin Zraly and generated a formal letter of support from Governor Kathy Hochul, recognizing the initiative’s economic and cultural impact on the state. Boundary Breaks Vineyard, one of eight core members of the Cab Franc Forward coalition, reported a 30% increase in Cabernet Franc sales through its wholesale distributor in New York and New Jersey following the initiative, with wines receiving scores of 94 and 95 points from JamesSuckling.com.

Keuka Spring Vineyards used grant funding to participate in the Vinoinfluencers Awards, an international platform connecting wine regions with global media, influencers, and trade professionals. The participation generated meaningful international exposure for New York wines, including recognition of the quality and cool-climate character of Finger Lakes wines among global audiences, and facilitated new industry connections that have led to ongoing conversations and site visits to the Finger Lakes region.

Sparkling Pointe on Long Island launched a new collaboration with local business Braun’s Seafood Co. called Fizz and Fry, a weekly Monday evening event pairing fried local seafood with Sparkling Pointe wines. The initiative drove a 54.2% increase in Monday guest counts and an 18.8% increase in Monday sales, generating $73,451.17 in total Monday revenue across 15 event dates. The concept’s success inspired additional partnership opportunities with local restaurants and hotels.

Billsboro Winery used its grant to create a new private tasting space, now home to a regular Saturday Winemaker’s Table event series featuring educational tastings for up to 16 guests per session, generating repeat visitation and new customer acquisition while adding a meaningful new revenue stream to the business.

Whitecliff Vineyard in the Hudson Valley developed a new event rental program for its Hudson tasting room, resulting in two sold-out ticketed dinners and four confirmed private event bookings for 2026, including three pre-wedding events and a bridal shower.

A Gust of Sun Winery deployed grant funds toward a targeted Meta advertising campaign that reached 24,552 people and generated 37,197 impressions, helping the small, rural winery remain visible and continue hosting community events during a financially challenging year, with one promoted event seeing a fourfold increase in wine tastings compared to the prior year.

Acquilano Wine Cellars partnered with All Access with Andy Garcia to produce a segment for public television highlighting winemaking in the Finger Lakes region, generating 1,656 Facebook views and extending the reach of the Finger Lakes wine story to a national public television audience.

Three Brothers Wineries and Estates used grant funding to boost two targeted Instagram video ads that collectively generated 57,900 views, 594 website visits, $1,117.37 in tasting revenue, and 201 new followers.

Anthony Road Wine Company produced a two-minute brand video capturing the winery’s people, vineyards, and philosophy, creating a versatile marketing asset for their website, social media, and distribution partners.

Apollo’s Praise Winery, which has grown from 1,500 to 8,000 cases in just three years, used its grant to transition from Excel spreadsheets to QuickBooks, strengthening its financial infrastructure ahead of future investments in production and vineyard equipment.

Other funded projects included:

Targeted digital advertising campaigns from Arrowhead Spring Vineyards, Macari Vineyards, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Lake Ontario Wine Trail, and Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

Professional video production from Long Island Wine Council, Montezuma Winery, and Vineyard View Winery

Billboard campaign from Lakewood Vineyards

Website development from Little Clover Wine Company and Lake Road Vineyards

A grape industry awareness event from Lake Erie Wine Country

TIPS responsible service training from Weis Vineyards.

Program Overview

The NYWGF Mini-Grant Program provides small grants to New York wineries, grape growers, wine trails, and regional promotional entities to support marketing, education, and business development initiatives. Grants range from $250 to $1,000 depending on applicant type and membership status, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are spent. All applications must clearly articulate how the proposed activity will promote the world-class image of New York grapes and wines or bolster the applicant’s business capacity.

For more information about NYWGF programs and resources, visit newyorkwines.org.