New York grape growers face oversupply, lost contracts
New York grape growers are confronting lost processor contracts, excess supply and limited markets as harvest season approaches, according to Spectrum News 1. Chautauqua County producer Jim Joy said Refresco canceled contracts with more than ... more
Pioneering team making innovative wine in the Finger Lakes
A winemaking team is making their mark in one of America's premier wine regions by combining centuries-old inspiration with modern winemaking innovation. Valkyrie Crafted Libations (VCL), a boutique winery overlooking Seneca Lake in New York's ... more
People are drinking less as Finger Lakes craft beverage industry faces a changing market
Americans are drinking less than at any point in nearly nine decades of Gallup polling, adding another layer of pressure for New York wineries, breweries and distilleries already confronting higher costs, disrupted distribution networks and ... more
O’Mara highlights Finger Lakes wine industry ahead of state competition
State Sen. Tom O'Mara highlighted the Finger Lakes wine industry as a major regional economic engine ahead of the 40th annual New York Wine Classic on Aug. 10. The event is a statewide competition recognizing ... more
Pleasant Valley Winery to relaunch in Hammondsport
Work is expected to begin this fall on a major revival of Pleasant Valley Winery in Hammondsport. Vine Enterprises plans to invest at least $47 million to restore operations at the historic Finger Lakes winery ... more
New brewery coming to village of Palmyra
Palmyra is getting its first brewery in roughly a century, according to RochesterFirst. Peter and Sarah Wimer are opening Drumlins Brewing Company inside a renovated historic East Main Street building. The brewery will feature original ... more
New York’s beer tax ranks near the bottom nationwide
Beer taxes vary dramatically across the U.S., with consumers in some states paying more than 60 times as much in state beer excise taxes as those in others. A new analysis from the Tax Foundation ... more
Lawmakers urge USDA to approve disaster aid after spring frost devastates crops
New York's congressional delegation is pressing federal agriculture officials to approve disaster assistance for farmers after an April frost caused widespread damage to fruit and specialty crops across the state, with losses already estimated at ... more
New York seeks federal disaster aid after frost causes $30 million in crop losses
New York has asked the federal government to declare a disaster across multiple regions after an April frost caused widespread damage to fruit and vegetable crops, with losses already estimated at more than $30 million ... more
Bars compete with couches as adults drink less alcohol
Bars aren’t just fighting each other anymore — they’re fighting the couch, according to the Times Union. Fewer adults drink alcohol now, and younger customers increasingly see a night out as expensive, risky, or unnecessary ... more
CONNECTIONS: Finger Lakes wine industry in trouble? (podcast)
On a recent episode of WXXI’s Connections with Evan Dawson, Brian Durnin of Point of the Bluff Vineyards, Matt Cassavaugh of 20 Deep Winery, and Chad Hendrickson of Keuka Spring Vineyards joined a conversation about ... more
NY pushes 4 a.m. bar hours for World Cup frenzy
Soccer fans across New York could soon party until 4 a.m. as officials roll out a plan to cash in on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to USA Today Network. Kathy Hochul is proposing ... more
Local brewery shuts down after tough growth reality hits
A small Rochester brewery is calling it quits just a year after launching, despite early success, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. Mountain Roads Brewing plans to close its cans-to-go operation in May after its ... more
Finger Lakes winery earns elite national spotlight with standout red wine honor
A Finger Lakes winery just cracked a top national list with a standout red that impressed judges across the country, according to WETM. Heron Hill Winery earned a 96-point Platinum Medal for its 2023 Ingle ... more
Historic Ontario County factory reborn as buzzing brewery destination
A crumbling 1800s factory along a rushing waterway is turning into a brewery and restaurant, as Wheel Works Brewing Co. prepares to open this summer, according to the Democrat and Chronicle. Owners Ken Johnson and ... more
Grocery store wine sales push hits familiar roadblocks
Lawmakers are reviving a long-running fight over wine in grocery stores, but resistance isn’t going away, according to Capital Tonight. A new bill from Liz Krueger and Pamela Hunter would allow wine sales in supermarkets, ... more
New York craft breweries face shifting market
A booming craft beer scene is now seeing closures across New York, even as it fuels billions, according to Spectrum News. The state still boasts over 500 breweries and a $4.8 billion impact, but longtime ... more
Wine sales fight reignites as liquor stores warn grocery store plan could crush them
A long-running battle over wine sales in grocery stores is flaring up again in New York, with small business owners warning it could wipe them out, according to News10NBC. Liquor store owners say wine makes ... more
Wild weather won’t stop Finger Lakes wine
Wild temperature swings hit the Finger Lakes this month, but vineyards still look strong heading into the growing season, according to News 8 . Experts say a consistently cold winter actually helped protect grapevines. Specialists ... more
