Grower Membership

New York Wine & Grape Foundation Seeks Commercial Grape Grower for Board of Directors

Application Deadline: July 9, 2026 The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is seeking a Commercial Grape Grower to join its Board of Directors in an At-Large capacity. This seat was created by the Board at its May 19, 2026, meeting to ensure that the voice of New York’s commercial grape growing community, those actively managing vineyards, making decisions about varieties and cultural practices, and selling grapes to wineries, juice processors,

Action Needed: Help Advocate for Agriculture Funding in the 2026-2027 State Budget

As the final New York State budget negotiations continue, we need your voice. We have received word that agricultural funding lines are actively being discussed, and that level funding, not the increases our industry needs, is on the table for most budget lines. While we have not heard of outright cuts, new funding will be difficult to secure in the final budget. The State Senate has proposed $1.4 million for the wine

Fighting Downy Mildew in Grapes with Titanium Dioxide and Crop Diseases with UV-C Light

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 9:00 – 10:00 AM As disease pressure continues to challenge vineyards and specialty crop growers, emerging technologies are offering new ways to manage pathogens while reducing reliance on traditional fungicides. This webinar explores how titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and ultraviolet (UV) light, including UV-C, can be used as innovative tools to control grape downy mildew and other crop diseases. We’ll begin with an overview of photocatalysis, where

Vineyard Management Efficiency: Industry Panel

Amid ongoing economic challenges in the domestic grape and wine industry, this session explores practical ways to strengthen vineyard management efficiency without sacrificing vine health or productivity. Grapevines face a range of biotic and abiotic pressures across the United States, making shortcuts untenable—but opportunities for smarter, more efficient practices do exist. An experienced panel of vineyard professionals from diverse regions will examine key elements of vineyard and pest management and

Drone Demo Event: Revolutionizing Vineyard Management

Join New York State Wine Grape Growers and Crop Care Drone Services of NY for their Drone Demo Event on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 1 PM at Vineyard View Winery. To learn more, please contact Tim Rigdon at tim@cropcareny.com. There is no need to pre-register for this event! This event is free and open to all.

Long Island Listening Session: Your Voice. Your Region. Our Next Steps.

Thursday, April 16 at 9:00 AM EST Rose Hill Vineyards & Inn Be part of the conversation. Join us for breakfast, share your concerns and ideas, and hear key updates from Sam Filler and colleagues. The New York Wine & Grape Foundation invites winery and grower members to attend an upcoming regional Listening Session focused on the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing New York’s grape growing and winemaking community. Breakfast

Finger Lakes Listening Session: Your Voice. Your Region. Our Next Steps.

Tuesday, May 5 at 11:00 AM EDT Jordan Hall at Cornell AgriTech, Geneva Be part of the conversation. Join us for lunch, share your concerns and ideas, and hear key updates from Sam Filler and colleagues. The New York Wine & Grape Foundation invites winery and grower members to attend an upcoming regional Listening Session focused on the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing New York’s grape growing and winemaking community.

Lake Erie Listening Session: Your Voice. Your Region. Our Next Steps.

Tuesday, April 21 at 11:00 AM EDT Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Lab Be part of the conversation. Join us for lunch, share your concerns and ideas, and hear key updates from Sam Filler and colleagues. The New York Wine & Grape Foundation invites winery and grower members to attend an upcoming regional Listening Session focused on the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing New York’s grape growing and winemaking

Hudson Valley Listening Session: Your Voice. Your Region. Our Next Steps.

Thursday, April 9 at 11:00 AM EDT Benmarl Winery Be part of the conversation. Join us for lunch, share your concerns and ideas, and hear key updates from Sam Filler and colleagues. The New York Wine & Grape Foundation invites winery and grower members to attend an upcoming regional Listening Session focused on the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing New York’s grape growing and winemaking community. Lunch will be provided,

Niagara Listening Session: Your Voice. Your Region. Our Next Steps.

Tuesday, March 24 at 11:00 AM EST The Winery At Marjim Manor Be part of the conversation. Join us for lunch, share your concerns and ideas, and hear key updates from Sam Filler and colleagues. The New York Wine & Grape Foundation invites winery and grower members to attend an upcoming regional Listening Session focused on the needs, challenges, and opportunities facing New York’s grape growing and winemaking community. Lunch

A Legacy of Grit, Growth, and Giving Back: The Story of Doyle Vineyard Management

Image courtesy of Doyle Vineyard Management. At the heart of the Finger Lakes wine industry stands Doyle Vineyard Management, a testament to resilience, creativity, and commitment to community. Founded in 2009 by Matt and Carre Doyle, the company arose during a moment of great uncertainty, but it has grown into a pillar of sustainability and a champion for viticulture and education. The Doyle story began at a crossroads. In 2009,

New York Grape Grower and Winery Labor Market in 2022 and Beyond

There is no doubt that increased labor costs, labor shortages, and potential legislative changes have had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on wineries and growers in New York State. In this session you will learn about trends in the New York agricultural labor market, how wineries have already been dealing with those changes, and the potential impact that labor challenges may have on winery margins and production.

Inaccurate and out-of-date vineyard survey data threatens the New York State grape industry.

A positive business climate for New York grape growers and vintners depends on maintaining up-to-date statistics on statewide vineyard acreage, varietals planted, and annual production. Accurate data supports NYWGF’s effort to market the grape and wine industry effectively, and it facilitates how our board prioritizes research investments. And, survey data on production can provide benchmark production figures to compare against other US grape growing regions and between regions within New York.

Glass of wine against cozy fireplace background, hygge concept.

January Fireside Chat with Sam Filler & Special Guests

Our Fireside Chat in January was focused around the New York Grape Growers. Topics include an update on new Grower Membership Tiers and the benefits provided within each. We also talked about NYWGF’s new marketing campaign roll-out plan. We welcome you to share your ideas on how we can best shine a spotlight on New York’s growers.

Quality winemaking starts in the vineyard

I remember early in my career working in New York’s farm based beverage industry a conversation that I had with Chris Gerling at an introduction to distilling workshop at Catskill Distilling Company. Admittedly, I was super green behind the ears when it came to wine making and really any fermentation process. Chris properly schooled me when he simply described how to make a quality wine, “You can’t make good wine from bad grapes, but you can make bad wine from good grapes.” Reading between the lines, he helped me deduce that quality winemaking starts in the vineyard.

Field Notes