Membership

New York Wine Reference Guide Cover Image

Updated “New York Wine Reference Guide” Shares the Facts, Figures, and Stories of New York’s Grape Growers and Wineries

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation is pleased to announce the culmination of a revision to the New York Wine Course & Reference Guide. Today, NYWGF introduces a refreshed and modernized New York Wine Reference Guide, along with accompanying infographics and videos. We are tremendously grateful to the dozens of grape growers, winemakers, winery owners, and researchers from across New York state who contributed the information that makes the

Wine Folly New York Region Guide: What You Need to Know

Wine Folly is developing a digital guide to the wines of New York, and you have the opportunity to be part of it. About this event Be part of Wine Folly’s next wine Region Guide! Wine Folly is developing a digital guide to the wines of New York, and you have the opportunity to be part of it. The guide features dynamic information provided by you, the wineries, that will be

New York Wine and Grape Foundation Releases Annual Report for the 2021-2022 State Fiscal Year

We are pleased to share with you the New York Wine and Grape Foundation’s Annual Report for the 2021-2022 State Fiscal Year. The Annual Report provides a summary of the Foundation’s operations and accomplishments during the fiscal year. The report also includes information on the amount of funding designated for applied research and the types of research conducted; and the amount of funding designated for promotion, and the effectiveness of

About the USDA Emergency Relief Program (ERP)

The Emergency Relief Program (ERP) is an initiative of the Extending Government Funding and Delivery Emergency Assistance Act which President Biden signed into law on September 30th, 2021. Phase 1 of the program has kicked off as of May 25th, 2022 when letters were sent to affected producers who may be eligible to receive funding from the program. If a producer received an indemnity from a crop insurance policy or

NYWGF launches grant program to support marketing and educational needs of wineries, growers, and related promotional entities.

Each year NYWGF develops an annual schedule of domestic and international marketing activities designed to promote the world-class image of New York grapes and wines from our diverse regions to responsibly benefit farmers, producers, and consumers. Funded by a mix of state, federal, and local entities, these marketing activities, along with a slate of educational and business development resources, are intended to significantly impact NYWGF’s mission goals and further the

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New York Wine & Grape Foundation Member Orientation

All you need to know about joining the New York Wine & Grape Foundation as a winery or grape grower. Much has changed in the NYWGF Membership program over the last few years, and we know it is hard to keep up with it all! We are pleased to bring you these quarterly Membership Orientations led by Executive Director, Sam Filler, and Membership and Events Manager, Jennifer Cooper. Sam, Jenn,

Incentives are available to help your vineyard save with solar!

Going solar is a strategic way for wineries cut overhead costs by producing their own electricity, on-site. Thanks to New York State grants and Federal tax incentives, overall costs can be reduced by more than 75% after all incentives are utilized. In fact, many businesses are seeing a payback period of under five years on a solar project that produces free electricity for over 35 years!

Member Update: New York Wines Online Marketing Activities

Learn about the benefits and responsibilities for wineries participating in Tier 3 Membership. A detailed overview of BuyNewYorkWines.com About this Event New York Wine & Grape Foundation Tier 3 Members have the benefit of being featured in our Virtual Seminar series staring in late April. Our “New York Wines Online” program will host two events monthly, and we want to help you make the most of this opportunity! Wineries participating in the program will also have

NYWGF Remains Focused on Connecting New York’s Wineries with Industry Leading Experts

In his budget proposal, Governor Cuomo restored NYWGF’s funding to its pre-COVID amount. While two months remain until the Governor and Legislature agree to a final state budget, this commitment from the Governor provides NYWGF the assurance to properly plan an organizational budget and programming plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

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.

New Member Benefit: Finance, Accounting & Tax Resources

To assist our members with critical questions about tax planning, inventory accounting, general accounting, excise tax/TTB issues, sales tax, and more the New York Wine & Grape Foundation is pleased to offer a new benefit for Members, in partnership with Mengel, Metzger, Barr & Co. LLP. Beginning in December 2020, members will have access to financial and tax guidance in webinar form, as well as through individual consulting for their specific needs provided via a 60-minute one-on-one session.

One-on-One Coaching with Sandra Hess & DTC Wine Workshops Consulting Agency

As a reminder, for NY Drinks NY participants, virtual workshops will be supplemented by an individual coaching session with a member of the DTC Consultant Network, led by Sandra Hess. Each winery will be provided with a 1.5 hour online coaching session to address a challenge or opportunity of their choice. Network consultants work to ensure your team uses the ideal blends of tools, talent and technologies to achieve direct to consumer wine sales success.

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.

Reflecting on the valuable work of trade associations

I am excited to be starting my 5th year at the helm of the Foundation. I am grateful to the industry, supporters of the industry, the Foundation team, and the Foundation Board for supporting me as we have worked together to enhance New York’s reputation as a world class grape and wine region. I also value the opportunity each January to refresh my goals and determinations for the upcoming year.

Foundation Updates: Marketing, Membership, and the New York Wine Classic

I am writing this message prior to November 3rd, so the Press Deck will be conspicuously silent on the election results. No matter what happens, I am confident that one thing will remain true – Americans will welcome Thanksgiving as an opportunity to connect and celebrate with family and friends. Even if the connection comes with the help of FaceTime or Zoom, I know it will be all the more meaningful and re-energize us for a new year and new challenges to come.

Winery Membership Update: New Dues and Benefits Structure

Today we are excited to be launching our new membership model. While we certainly wanted to build a membership ‘toolkit’ that would be more responsive to needs in light of COVID-19, we knew the need to build our collective industry intelligence, diversify business models, and scale up to meet the demands of the online marketplace was coming – even before the pandemic. Our membership programs and services are dedicated to telling the amazing story of New

Three-Part Series Offered on Tasting Room & Hospitality Challenges

New York Wine & Grape Foundation offers a Three-Part Series on Tasting Room & Hospitality Challenges Dates: September 10th, 24th and October 8thTime: 10:00AM EST to 11:30AM ESTParticipation is Free and Open to All New York Wineries. Click here to register online. OverviewJoin the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and the Wine Industry Sales Education (WISE) Academy for a special Community Forum Series designed to help New York wineries optimize the guest experience as they grapple

Field Notes