NY Wine & Grape Foundation rebrands, launching marketing toolkit to elevate industry locally
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) has successfully concluded its Brand Expansion project, initiated in April 2022, in collaboration with Born Collective. The project aimed to enhance the global acknowledgment of New York’s ... more
Six Eighty Cellars opens scenic tasting room on Cayuga Lake
This week Six Eighty Cellars, renowned for its distinctive amphora-aged, low-intervention wines, unveiled its state-of-the-art tasting room situated on Cayuga Lake's western shores at 3050 Swick Rd. Nestled within the picturesque Finger Lakes Region's Cayuga ... more
Aurora Brewing Co. opens new location in Bushnell’s Basin
Aurora Brewing Co., renowned for its location overlooking Cayuga Lake since 2015, has expanded its presence with a second taproom in Bushnell's Basin, a Rochester hamlet. This new establishment brings Aurora closer to its substantial ... more
Introducing the ‘Crafts & Drafts’ digital beverage pass for Yates and Steuben
Two counties in the Finger Lakes region are unveiling "Crafts & Drafts." It's a cutting-edge digital craft beverage pass that opens the door to a curated collection of the area's craft beverages, spanning beer, spirits, ... more
Finger Lakes wines will be available in Puerto Rico for first time ever
In a pioneering move, a selection of wines from New York's Finger Lakes region will be made available in Puerto Rico for the first time, Governor Kathy Hochul's office announced on Monday. This groundbreaking initiative ... more
What’s happening at the Showboat Motel? New brewery expands, adding to unique experience
New York’s only brewery specializing in British-style “cask ale,” Seneca Lake Brewing Co., is expanding its operations with a second location at the Showboat Motel in Himrod. Situated about 12 miles north of their original ... more
Bombshell Hard Cider, Red Jacket Orchards collab to launch new cider series
Bombshell Hard Cider, a subsidiary of Three Brothers Wineries, is set to launch a new Premium Cider Series in collaboration with Red Jacket Orchards. This partnership highlights the art of cidermaking, featuring the use of ... more
Summer is close: What are people drinking?
As the summer gathering season gets underway top beverage trends to look out for include Mexican beers such as Modelo, non-alcoholic craft beers like Athletic Brewing Company’s and Dos Equis Lime & Salt Zero, premium ... more
Don’t expect bill allowing wine sales in grocery stores to be approved
The proposal permitting wine sales in New York grocery stores is expected to be shelved for the year. Top Democrats have indicated the lack of legislative consensus as reason for the delay. Additionally, a comprehensive ... more
From frost to dry weather: Finger Lakes vineyards hopeful that weather will normalize soon
The Finger Lakes region was struck by a devastating frost just a couple weeks ago causing extensive damage to vineyards and orchards in the area. Mark Karasz, owner of Rock Stream Vineyards, told WETM-TV that ... more
State and local leaders tour frost damage at Finger Lakes vineyards
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, along with representatives from various state and federal agencies, toured vineyards in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions on Friday to assess the impact of a recent freeze. The ... more
Wegmans advocates for state allowing wine sales in grocery stores
Supermarket chain Wegmans, backed by some state legislators, is pushing for New York to join 40 other states that permit the sale of wine in grocery stores. This recent campaign, Wegmans' second attempt following a ... more
Frost, freeze puts major stress on grapes across Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes region, a critical area for vineyards, has experienced significant damage following freezing temperatures on Thursday morning that caused about 50% crop loss at Lakewood Vineyards and an estimated 35% at Fox Run ... more
Wine could be sold in grocery stores, but lawmakers are split on it
A proposed bill that could see wine sold in New York grocery stores has drawn mixed responses since its introduction to the state legislature on May 10. If approved, the bill would bring New York ... more
Cornell unveils new white wine grape
After over four decades of development, Cornell University grape breeder Bruce Reisch has introduced Aravelle, a hybrid white wine grape. The grape was created by crossing Cayuga white and Riesling grapes, with the Cayuga white ... more
What changes could be coming to liquor sales and licenses?
A commission comprised of 21 members, including 16 appointed voters, convened three times since August last year to evaluate and discuss potential reforms to New York's alcoholic beverage control laws. The panel, which featured members ... more
Sunday morning liquor sales could be allowed at stores and bars
In an effort to modernize nearly 90-year-old alcohol laws in New York state, the Commission to Reform Alcoholic Beverage Control Law is set to release a report next week recommending several changes, including allowing liquor ... more
Genesee Brewery’s Tropical Pineapple Kolsch returning to stores and bars
For the second consecutive year, Genesee Brewery's popular Tropical Pineapple Kolsch is making a return to stores and select bars in Upstate New York. The beer earned top honors in the Brand-New Category in 2022 ... more
After decades of work, grape breeder creates white wine grape that is resistant to rot
Cornell University’s grape breeder, Bruce Reisch, has spent over four decades creating a new hybrid white wine grape Aravelle. The grape was developed by crossing Cayuga white and Riesling grapes back in 1981, and it ... more
