Field Notes

News and Updates from the New York Wine & Grape Foundation

Export Program

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Appoints HOPSCOTCH Season and Sohn’s Market Makers Ltd. as Market Representatives in Vietnam and South Korea

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is excited to announce the appointment of HOPSCOTCH Season (formerly SOPEXA) as the market representative for New York Wines in Vietnam, and Sohn’s Market Makers Ltd. as the market representative for New York Wines in South Korea. These new strategic partnerships aim to elevate the profile of New York wines in two dynamic markets, leveraging the expertise of HOPSCOTCH Season and Sohn’s

NYWGF Issues RFP for Market Representatives in South Korea and Vietnam

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Valerie Venezia-RossPhone: 1 (518) 229-3765Email: [email protected] The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is currently seeking proposals for a consulting partner(s) to manage marketing efforts directed at trade, media, and consumers in both the Korea and Vietnam markets with the goal of raising brand awareness and sales of New York Wines.   The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) was created by the State of New

Export Program: Western Europe Market Overview

A “deep dive” into the Western Europe market and our effort to export New York Wines in 2024-25. 📅 Friday, August 9 · 9 – 10am EDT Our Western Europe team at Think Drink Global has had a very successful few years in the face of great challenges. We are proud to welcome them back to steward 2024-25 New York Wines programming in target markets within Western Europe. Join us for TDG’s

NYWGF Export Program: Japan Market Overview

A “deep dive” into the Japan market and our effort to export New York Wines in 2024-25. 📅 Thursday, August 8 · 9 – 10am EDT After another an exciting and productive year of activities in Japan, we are pleased to welcome back the Asahi Agency for an update on the market, and details about what plans are in the works for the New York Wines Export Program in 2024. You are

NYWGF Export Program: Canada Market Overview

A “deep dive” into the Canadian market and our effort to export New York Wines in 2024-25. 📅 Wednesday, August 7 · 9 – 10am EDT Join us in welcoming a.m.c.c., NYWGF’s market representatives based in Toronto. Founders Andrea Backstrom and Melissa Stunden will be on hand to provide a comprehensive overview of the Ontario and Quebec markets, where much of New York wines activities will focus in 2024-2025. Melissa and Andrea

USDA Awards $1.3 Million to Support New York Wine Exports to  the Caribbean, Asia, and the United Kingdom

Contact: Valerie Venezia-RossPhone: 1 (518) 229-3765Email: [email protected] May 21, 2024 – Penn Yan, NY – Today, the New York Wine and Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is proud to be one of the 66 organizations awarded a USDA Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) grant. This funding is dedicated to building demand for American food and farm exports in high-potential markets around the globe.  NYWGF has received $1.3 million to support New York Wine export marketing

Understanding New York Wines’ Sustainability Program with Justin Jackson

This week our very own Justin Jackson, NYWGF Sustainability Program Manager, sat down for an interview with the Editor of Canada’s Good Food Revolution, Jamie Drummond. In Part One of this series, Justin shared insights into our New York Sustainable Winegrowing Program and its comprehensive scope. Click the link below to learn more about how sustainability practices are shaping the future of winemaking in New York. Stay tuned for Part

​How New York Wine Is Popping Up on Menus in Japan, the U.K., and Denmark

There are more than 400 wineries in New York, and they are garnering increasingly enthusiastic raves from national critics at Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, The New York Times and others. And thanks to an innovative program, and the hard work of winemakers willing to travel and share their story, the good word on New York’s incredible wines is spreading across the globe. How it Works  The New York Wine &

Export Program – Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam Overview

Welcome back to our partner FLX International, led by native New Yorker Matthew McFetridge. As pandemic impacts continued to affect in-person programming over the course of last program year, many New York wines activities transitioned online with resounding success – thanks to FLX International’s effort. We invite you to join us for an overview of the Hong Kong, South Korea, and Vietnam markets. Matthew will talk about the wine landscape, what wines sell

Export Program – Canada Overview

Join us in welcoming a.m.c.c., NYWGF’s newest market representatives based in Toronto. Founders Andrea Backstrom and Melissa Stunden will be on hand to provide a comprehensive overview of the Ontario and Quebec markets, where much of New York wines activities will focus in 2023-2024. Melissa and Andrea have broad knowledge across all provincial markets, along with diverse experience in route to market strategy, educational initiatives, event management and media relations. As with

Export Program – Western Europe Overview

Our Western Europe team at Think Drink Global has had a very successful few years in the face of great challenges. We are proud to welcome them back to steward 2023-2024 New York Wines programming in target markets within Western Europe. Join us for TDG’s overview and an update on opportunities (on-trade / off-trade) and what wines are selling well in the key markets – the UK, France, and Scandinavian countries will

Export Program – Japan Market Overview

After an exciting and productive year of activities in Japan, we are pleased to welcome back the Asahi Agency for an update on the market, and details about what is next on the agenda for the New York Wines Export Program! You are invited to come meet this expert team, including wine specialist & educator Takenori Beppu, J.S.A. Sommelier, WSET Diploma. Akiko Kurose, our lead strategic partner at Asahi Agency, will talk

New York Wines Export Program Overview

Have you ever wondered how some New York wineries are selling their products successfully in international markets and garnering worldwide press? Much of the behind the scenes work is done by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation’s Export Program. Through a grant from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) and the Market Access Program (MAP), NYWGF assists New York wineries seeking to explore opportunities in markets abroad. The Export Program for

New York State of Wine: The Elements (Wine)

pThere is an incredible amount of diversity in climate and growing conditions throughout New York: from Long Island, exposed to the Atlantic Ocean, to Hudson Valley, the historic heartland of New York wine, to Niagara and the Champlain Valley on the border with Canada, to Finger Lakes, home to 650 miles of shoreline. New York wine is synonymous with extreme climate—from the influence of water on all sides to the

Export Program – Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam Overview

Welcome back to our partner FLX International, led by native New Yorker Matthew McFetridge. As pandemic impacts continued to affect in-person programming over the course of last program year, many New York wines activities transitioned online with resounding success – thanks to FLX International’s effort. We invite you to join us for an overview of the Hong Kong, South Korea, and Vietnam markets. Matthew will talk about the wine landscape, what

Export Program – Japan Market Overview

After an exciting and productive first year of activities in Japan, we are pleased to welcome back the Asahi Agency for an update on the market, and details about what is next on the agenda for the New York Wines Export Program! You are invited to come meet this expert team, including wine specialist & educator Takenori Beppu, J.S.A. Sommelier, WSET Diploma. Akiko Kurose, our lead strategic partner at Asahi Agency, will

Export Program – Canada Overview

Join us in welcoming a.m.c.c., NYWGF’s newest market representatives based in Toronto. Founders Andrea Backstrom and Melissa Stunden will be on hand to provide a comprehensive overview of the Ontario and Quebec markets, where much of New York wines activities will focus in 2022-2023. Melissa and Andrea have broad knowledge across all provincial markets, along with diverse experience in route to market strategy, educational initiatives, event management and media relations. As with

Export Program – Western Europe Overview

Our Western Europe team at Think Drink Global has had a very successful few years in the face of great challenges. We are proud to welcome them back to steward 2022-2023 New York Wines programming in target markets within Western Europe. Join us for TDG’s overview and an update on opportunities (on-trade / off-trade) and what wines are selling well in the key markets – the UK, France, and Scandinavian countries will

Panoramic image of Eiffel tower from Trocadero in Spring.

Go Global New York

Would your winery like to explore sales opportunities outside the USA? Discover the programs and services available to your company through Global NY. From market research, partner search and grants to support your marketing and product certification products, New York State Economic Development can help point you in the right direction. Learn about products and services available from other resource partners as well. Click Here to Register *Global NY can

Kelby James Russell, winemaker at Red Newt Cellars. Standing in cellar with glass of red wine.

A Hometown Winemaker’s Pride Shines Global Spotlight on New York

Kelby James Russell, Winemaker, Red Newt Cellars(Photo by Rima Brindamour) There are many different ways to think about what our purpose as a winery might be: selling wine and sustaining business, stewardship of the vineyard lands, or the character of the wine itself in the bottle. But the longer I work in wine, the more I feel that this world is about people. It is the connections from the wine

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Announces New Partnership Designed to Raise the Profile of New York Wines in Canada

PENN YAN NY, May 11th, 2022 – The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is pleased to announce the appointment of a.m.c.c., led by Andrea Backstrom and Melissa Stunden, as the market representative for New York wines in Canada beginning July 1st, 2022. a.m.c.c. will help identify appropriate trade partners for New York wines and work to further develop a network of agents, buyers, sommeliers, educators, and influencers to

robert ketchin

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

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

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Seeks Canadian Market Representative.

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) has been a longtime partner of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), providing marketing services for New York wineries interested in exporting their products to international markets. The NYWGF staff, Board Committee, In-Market Consultants, and Export Advisory Committee (industry members) execute the strategy and activities for the Export Program annually. To deliver more effective and streamlined programming, NYWGF is outsourcing various marketing

New York State of Wine: Chardonnay Show Down

New York State of Wine is back with a whole new look. This second series spotlights New York’s prized grape varieties alongside examples from top-producing regions around the world. Crafted in New York, but inspired from everywhere, New York is a unique community of passionate producers who approach winemaking with a multitude of personalities and backgrounds—they’re not alike, and they like it that way. Wine has been made in New

New York State of Wine: Cabernet Franc Off

New York State of Wine is back with a whole new look. This second series spotlights New York’s prized grape varieties alongside examples from top-producing regions around the world. Crafted in New York, but inspired from everywhere, New York is a unique community of passionate producers who approach winemaking with a multitude of personalities and backgrounds—they’re not alike, and they like it that way. Wine has been made in New

New York State of Wine: Riesling Battle Royal

New York State of Wine is back with a whole new look. This second series spotlights New York’s prized grape varieties alongside examples from top-producing regions around the world. Crafted in New York, but inspired from everywhere, New York is a unique community of passionate producers who approach winemaking with a multitude of personalities and backgrounds—they’re not alike, and they like it that way. Wine has been made in New

James Suckling

JamesSuckling.com Publishes Review of New York Wines

Penn Yan, NY, September 21st, 2021 – Over 30 wineries participating in the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) International Export Program were invited to submit wines for review by JamesSuckling.com last Spring. JamesSuckling.com is an international wine publication that annually reviews and comments on wines from the world’s leading wine regions. Results are published to an audience of over 600,000 unique annual visitors.  Of the wines submitted for review by 25 wineries, 69 received scores of 90 and above. According to JamesSuckling.com “a

Export Program Market Overview: China, Hong Kong, Vietnam & So. Korea

Our Asia-Pacific in-market representative, Matthew McFetridge, will provide an overview on the China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Vietnam markets. Matthew will talk about the wine landscape in each market, what wines sell well, and discuss market-specific opportunities and challenges. Join us by clicking the Register button below! Click Here to Register

Export Program Deep Dive: Japan

Join us in welcoming our newest in-market representatives from the Asahi Agency based in Tokyo. The Asahi Agency will provide an overview of the Japanese market and introduce their expert Team including wine specialist & educator Takenori Beppu, J.S.A. Sommelier, WSET Level3 Advanced. Akiko Kurose, our lead strategic partner at Asahi Agency, will talk about the wine landscape in the market, what wines sell well, and discuss market-specific opportunities and

Export Program Deep Dive: Canada

Our Canada in-market representatives, Robert Ketchin & Melissa Stunden, will provide an overview of the Canada market covering topics such as COVID-19 impacts on wines sales and marketing tactics, US/Canada trade relations, how wines are sold in Canada & our partnership with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, opportunities for US and NY wines specifically with on- and off-trade including their wine preferences, challenges for entering the market, and more.

Export Program Deep Dive: Western Europe

Our Western Europe team at Think Drink Global had a great first year as our in-market representatives! Join us of TDG’s overview of the European markets we’re active in and what the opportunities are for each (on-trade / off-trade and what wines sell well). The UK, France, Germany, and Scandinavia will be covered. They will also talk through the planned activities for the year, and introduce the opportunity for country

New York Wines Export Program Overview

Have you ever wondered how some New York wineries are selling their products successfully in international markets and garnering worldwide press? Much of the behind the scenes work is done by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation’s Export Program. Through a grant from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) and the Market Access Program (MAP), we assist New York wineries seeking to explore opportunities in markets abroad. The Export

New York Wines Export Program 2020 Overview

A comprehensive look at the benefits of the NYWGF program, including information from successful exporters. Have you ever wondered how some New York wineries are selling their products successfully in international markets and garnering worldwide press? Much of the behind the scenes work is done by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation’s Export Program. Through a grant from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) and the Market Access Program

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Partners with Think Drink Global to Raise the Profile of New York Wines in Western Europe

PENN YAN NY, July 9, 2020 – The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is pleased to announce a new, creative partnership with Think Drink Global (TDG) designed to manage New York wines’ trade- and media-focused marketing and educational programs in Western Europe. TDG is a collaboration between three wine industry veteran firms, R&R Teamwork in London, Vinconnexion in Paris, and O’Donnell Lane in Sonoma, CA. Through the USDA-funded Export

london skyline

You’re Invited to Join the NYWGF Export Program

Have you ever wondered how some New York wineries are selling their products successfully in international markets and garnering worldwide press? Much of the behind the scenes work is done by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation’s Export Program. Through a grant from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) and the Market Access Program (MAP), we assist New York wineries seeking to explore opportunities in markets abroad. The Export Program

lakeside vineyard at sunset. caption reads: Taste NY Wines. Diverse. Bold. Cool Climate.

New York Wines to be Featured by the LCBO

Six New York Wines to be released Online through the LCBO Destination Collection in AprilAdditional Offerings Available through Vintages Catalogue in May Wines from New York Featured in Ontario for the First Time in Almost 30 Years April 22nd, 2020, Penn Yan NY – The New York Wine & Grape Foundation is pleased to announce that The Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Canada (LCBO) will be offering New York wines for sale through their

NYWGF Issues RFPs for International Marketing Services

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) has been a longtime partner with the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to provide marketing services for New York wineries interested in exporting their products to target international markets. The New York wines staff team, with the guidance of our Board Promotions Committee, In-Market Consultants, and Export Advisory Committee (made up of industry members) execute this program each year.  To deliver more effective

NYWGF Partners with Bryant Christie Inc. to Increase Wine Exports

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Valerie Venezia-RossPhone: 1 (518) 229-3765Email: [email protected]     New York Wine & Grape Foundation Partners with Bryant Christie Inc. to Increase Wine Exports PENN YAN NY, April 14th, 2020 – The New York Wine & Grape Foundation is pleased to announce a new partnership with Bryant Christie Inc.  (BCI) to further its Export Program objectives and expand the presence of New York wines globally. For over 25 years the New York Wine