Monday, August 10th is the 40th annual New York Wine Classic
A weekly Column by NY State Senator Tom O’Mara,
The rebirth and spectacular rise of New York State’s wine and grape industry over the past generation – joined by, especially over the past decade, the burgeoning industry surrounding craft breweries, cideries, and distilleries – continues to stand as one of our state’s greatest success stories.
Especially right here in the Finger Lakes region.
The New York Wine and Grape Foundation has noted this success in past annual reports, “The State’s investment in the wine and grape industry provides sound economic returns in the form of tax revenue, jobs, and rural economic development. This public-private partnership drives the grape and wine industry’s growth and makes it a major state economic engine that generates more than $6.65 billion in direct economic impact, supports 71,950 jobs, contributes $1.12 billion in state and local taxes, and attracts over 4.71 million tourists to wineries every year who spend $1.33 billion.”
Those are remarkable numbers and a testament to the commitment, excellence, hard work, innovation, and quality of New York’s wine producers and grape growers.
On Monday, August 10th, the 40th annual New York Wine Classic, a nationally recognized competition, takes place. It is the state’s premier wine competition, noted for celebrating the excellence and quality of New York State wines.
One of the premier wineries in the Finger Lakes, Weis Vineyards of Hammondsport, captured the Winery of the Year title in 2022, 2024 and last year. In 2024, Weis Vineyards also won the Governor’s Cup for its Riesling Ice Wine.
The winery’s owners, Peter and Ashless Weis, recently said, “The New York Wine Classic is the most recognized wine competition in New York State. For us, it is especially meaningful because it is all New York wineries competing against each other. We love being part of the New York wine industry, and it is a great opportunity to see how our wines stack up against some of the best wines being made across the state. The competition gives wineries across the state a way to measure themselves. It helps showcase the quality of New York wines as a whole. It is also a great reminder of how much talent there is throughout the industry and helps shine a spotlight on New York as a serious wine-producing region.”
We look forward to the announcement of this year’s New York Wine Classic winners and the chance, once again, to celebrate the excellence of the Finger Lakes Region and all of New York State.
As New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball noted following last year’s competition, “Our wine makers are gaining fast recognition across the globe for something we’ve long known: New York is a premier wine making region with some of the highest quality producers in the world. The prestigious New York Wine Classic helps us shine the spotlight on our industry and our producers, who are incredibly important to our agricultural industry, supporting our grape growers and helping to fuel our economy. Congratulations to all of the wineries who entered into this competition and who continue to set themselves apart by producing some of the very best wines in the world.”
To stay updated on this year’s New York Wine Classic, go to: https://newyorkwines.org/clas.sic/new-york-wine-classic-2026/.
Thanks to all of you for your amazing contributions to our region and the quality, strength, and pride of so many of our communities!
Read and find out more about Finger Lakes Wine Country – the region’s wine trails, over 140 wineries, and over 10,000 acres of vineyards — at: https://newyorkwines.org.
The same goes for the contributions of the craft beverage industry. According to the New York State Brewers Association (NYSBA, newyorkcraftbeer.com):
- The number of New York State breweries has grown from 95 in 2012 to more than 500 in 2024;
- New York State is the second-largest craft beer market in the United States with an economic impact of $4.8 Billion.
- New York State craft breweries increased production from 557,436 barrels in 2011 to 1,434,992 barrels in 2023.
I have welcomed numerous opportunities to help develop, sponsor, and strongly support bipartisan efforts to solidify our world-class wine and craft beverage industries, as well as agriculture, small business, and tourism throughout the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and statewide.
Most importantly, New York government must continue to take commonsense steps and regulatory reforms that recognize the ongoing need to support these vibrant industries and help them continue to grow, create more jobs, and spark regional growth through the unlimited economic spin-off opportunities they offer.
One thing is certain: These industries are economic engines throughout this region and New York State overall, providing good, sustainable livelihoods for thousands of New Yorkers and serving as steady foundations for so many local communities.
