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Field Notes

News and Updates from the New York Wine & Grape Foundation

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An Intense New York Wine Marketing Abroad Trip Leads to Optimism

Robin Shreeves and Kathleen Willcox May 22, 2026

How significant is a sighting of Finger Lakes Riesling by the glass in Tokyo? Significant enough to inspire a Food & Wine article about the “squeal” editor Lucy Johnson let out when she spied Hermann J. Wiemer’s Reserve Dry Riesling in Japan, as well as the details of how that wine made its way across the Pacific Ocean. The subheadline of that article reads “A glass of Finger Lakes Riesling in Tokyo reveals how far

It’s Unanimous: Winemakers, Wine Sellers, and Wine Drinkers Love New York Cabernet Franc!

Kathleen Willcox and Robin Shreeves May 14, 2026

Dramatic love stories usually involve heartbreak, but this one is refreshingly tear-free.  The unambiguous and widely heralded rise of Cabernet Franc in New York has been, many say, just a matter of time.  “Cabernet Franc has really come into its own in New York over the last several years,” says Amy Racine, beverage director at the Michelin-starred JF Restaurants from Chef John Fraser. “As growers have spent more time with it, there’s a lot more

Rolling Hills Estate Winery Unveils Inaugural Vintage to Public, Redefines the Modern Wine Community

New York Wine & Grape Foundation May 13, 2026

Pioneering estate in the Champlain Valley AVA debuts inaugural release alongside a groundbreaking membership model rooted in connection, discovery, and place After years of quiet cultivation and limited private releases, Rolling Hills Estate Winery is opening its cellar doors to the public for the very first time. Alongside its inaugural vintage release, the estate is introducing the Genesis Circle—a reimagined wine membership designed to connect people more deeply to wine, land, and one another. Founded in 2017, Rolling

Johnson ESTATE Winery: Celebrating 65th Anniversary with Awards from the LA International Wine Competition and Beverage Testing Institute

New York Wine & Grape Foundation April 29, 2026

Founded by Fred S. Johnson in 1961, the Estate’s portfolio now includes more than 40 award-winning wines Image courtesy of Johnson Estate Winery While the winter was impressively cold and the spring weather worrisome for growing grapes due to early bud break and potential freezes, Johnson Estate’s commencement of its 65th anniversary year has been good.  Ten days ago, we learned that the winery had been awarded ten Gold Medal awards including four with Best of Class designations at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition. And then this week, we

Wine Professionals are Giving New York Riesling the Recognition it’s Long Deserved

Robin Shreeves and Kathleen Willcox April 29, 2026

Image courtesy of Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery. Ask almost any wine professional who understands the full picture of America’s wine and wine regions, and they’ll all say that New York State is home to the best Riesling in the country. You could argue that New York State is one of the best regions in the world for Riesling, and if you did want to argue that, a recent VinePair list of The 30 Best Rieslings

Adirondack Wine & Food Festival Returns for 10th Anniversary

New York Wine & Grape Foundation April 28, 2026

The Lake George Region’s Choice for Best Annual Event Returns June 27 & 28 The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival returns to Lake George on Saturday, June 27 & Sunday, June 28 to ring in its 10th anniversary. Recently named the #1 annual event by LakeGeorge.com voters, the Festival will feature 120+ of New York’s best wineries, distilleries, breweries, cideries, artisan food producers, food trucks, crafters, and more at the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in Lake