Clayton, NY, May 13, 2013 — The New York wine industry is booming. According to the New York Wind and Grape Foundation, five million people visit New York wineries every year. The industry generates almost $4 billion.

The New York Farm Bureau is pushing for an official designation for a new Adirondack Wine Coast Trail to bring enthusiasts to seven vineyards in Clinton County.

A lot of the credit for New York wines can go to a team of researchers that's doing what you might call "extreme winemaking": Breeding grapes that survive the North Country's frigid winters and still make delicious wine.

They hope names like Frontenac and Marquette will one day be as popular as Cabernet and Merlot.  Go to full article

Rochester, NY, Feb 18, 2013 — When you hear New York wines, you probably think about the Finger Lakes. Wineries in that region have become world famous for their Rieslings and other white and red wines.

There are four other official wine regions in New York - the Hudson Valley, the shore of Lake Erie, the Niagara Escarpment, and Long Island.

There are also almost 30 wineries in the North Country, and wine aficionados are starting to take notice.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, May 24, 2011 — Supporters and opponents of selling wine in grocery stores held a spirited discussion in a forum held by the bill's sponsors. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Victor, NY, Dec 31, 2010 — Pop quiz: Where's the headquarters of the world's largest wine company?
No, not Bordeaux. Not Napa, either.

Until last week, the correct answer would've been Victor, N.Y., just south of Rochester, and the company would've been Constellation Brands. But now the AP is reporting that E. & J. Gallo Winery of Modesto, Calif. holds that distinction.

That's after Constellation sold off the bulk of its money-losing Australian, British and South African holdings for $230 million.

Right as the evolving wine giant was pulling back abroad, The Innovation Trail's Zack Steward took a look at Constellation's growing place role in the local Finger Lakes wine economy.  Go to full article

Oct 09, 2008 — The North Country is taking its first steps into the multi-billion-dollar wine industry. Beyond the glossy labels and French names, wine making is just like other kinds of agriculture. Farmers grow grapes, press them, bottle the juice and then get 10 dollars or often much more for only a fifth of a gallon. And the family-farm culture of wine making would seem a good fit for the North Country. A few wine families are known for the empires they've built around their wines. Rothschild, Mondavi and other names are recognized beyond America's growing population of wine buyers. A Jefferson County wine maker hopes to join these illustrious ranks. Jonathan Brown paid him a visit and filed this profile:  Go to full article

Mar 28, 2007 — A North Country dairy is one of the first in the country to make and sell wine ice cream. It's not wine-flavored, it's wine and cream - frozen. The mixture breaks some long-held culinary taboos and it's poised to make Mercer's Dairy in Boonville a national brand. There are three flavors out now: Ala Port, White Zinfandel - with peaches, and Raspberry Chardonnay. Roxaina Hurlburt is Mercer's spokeswoman. She told Jonathan Brown the wine ice cream was born in food fairs, where she met New York State winemakers.  Go to full article

Jun 23, 2005 — Owners of small wineries in New York State are hoping that Governor Pataki and the state legislature will agree on a bill to allow out-of-state wine shipments before the legislative session wraps up later this week. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 09, 2005 — Owners of wineries from across the state came to the Capitol yesterday to lobby for a law to let them ship wine directly to consumers. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jul 06, 2004 — Martha Foley talks with horticulturist Amy Ivy about growing grapes for juice or wine. Even in a backyard vineyard, it's part art and part science.  Go to full article

Mar 09, 2004 — Some major grocery store chains are teaming up with some small New York wineries, to try to convince New York lawmakers to allow the sale of wine in supermarkets. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article