The below is a press release from Jim Trezise and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation regarding the scond phase of New York Drinks New York. I cannot say enough how proud I am to be a New Yorker and see this organization join the wine fray in this way, embracing these methods to help promote and sell New York wine in one of the world's top markets in such a meaningful way. This is the kind of leadership New York wine deserves, and shows how Jim Trezise, who has been an innovator his whole career, has reinvented the way the NYWGF continues its role in helping to expand the industry. And it confirms his own position in the the US wine world. I laud him and all the folks at NYWGF!
May 23, 2012
"New York Drinks New York" -- An Encore!
New York Wine & Grape Foundation Continues New York City Promotion
From Jim Trezise
The highly successful "New York Drinks New York" promotion of New York wines in New York City will be continued and expanded, thanks to a new grant obtained by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) from the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority (GVRMA).
"We greatly appreciate the support of the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets in helping us obtain this grant so we can continue the momentum from earlier this year," said NYWGF President Jim Trezise. "The initial grant allowed us to lay a foundation for New York wines in the world's most competitive wine market, and now we can build upon that."
The first phase, conducted for NYWGF by First Press Public Relations of Manhattan, included market research; "Cellar Visits" to New York's major wine regions by New York City media and trade representatives; taxi top advertising in March; a New York City market orientation for winery representatives; and a sold-out tasting for media, trade, and consumers at Astor Center on March 12.
"This was a very successful program, and we are pleased that it can continue with additional funding," said New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine. "The grape and wine industry is an important part of our agricutural economy, tourism, and quality of life in New York State, so this is a sound investment for the State of New York that I fully support."
While Phase I lasted only about three months, the Phase II program will cover nine months through March 2013. The multi-faceted program will again be orchestrated by First Press, and will include:
Ongoing media outreach; Website consulting for an enhanced internet presence; Sponsorship of the "Eat Drink Local Week" of the Edible publications; "Vineyard Visits" by New York City media and trade during; the summer and fall to the major winegrowing regions: Long Island, Hudson River, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment; Activities surrounding the New York Wine & Food Classic in August; A week for New York City media and trade representatives to actually work the harvest in the Finger Lakes; A major presentation on marketing New York wines in New York City at the large Viticulture 2013 conference in February; A two-week series of New York wine events in New York City in early March, culminating in a "Grand Tasting" for media, trade, and consumers.
"This is clearly an ambitious program, but our partners at First Press have proven they can pull it off," said Trezise. "We are confident that this program will take New York wines to a whole new level in the Big Apple."
Phase I included 38 wineries which chose to participate, with many again signed up for Phase II, along with some new ones. Wineries participating by region are:
Long Island: Bedell Cellars, Channing Daughters Winery, Lieb Cellars, Macari Vineyards, Palmer Vineyards, Paumanok Vineyards, Raphael Vineyards & Winery, Wolffer Estate Vineyard
Hudson River Region: Benmarl Winery, Clinton Vineyards, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Stoutridge Vineyard, Tousey Winery, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery
Finger Lakes: Anthony Road Winery, Atwater Estate Vineyards. Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Eagle Crest Vineyards, Fox Run Vineyards, Fulkerson Winery, Glenora Wine Cellars, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, Keuka Lake Vineyards, King Ferry Winery, Knapp Winery, Lakewood Vineyards, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Pleasant Valley Wine Company, Red Newt Cellars, Sheldrake Point Winery, Standing Stone Vineyards, Swedish Hill Winery, Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Wagner Vineyards
Niagara Escarpment: Arrowhead Spring Vineyards, Eveningside Vineyards, Freedom Run Winery, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery, Spring Lake Winery
Other Regions: 21 Brix (Lake Erie), Thousand Islands Winery (Thousand Islands)
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation is a private, not-for-profit trade association created by the State of New York in 1985 to support the industry through research and promotion programs. Its mission: "To have the New York grape and wine industry recognized as a world leader in quality, productivity, and social responsibility."
Media Contacts: Jim Trezise, jimtrezise@nywgf.org
Michael Gitter, michael@firstpresspr.com
Kayt Mathers, kayt@firstpresspr.com