Albany, NY - August 13, 2013 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the launch of a new television ad campaign to promote New York State’s award-winning wines and further grow the Taste NY experience. The thirty-second ad was developed in response to input received at the State's Wine, Beer, and Spirits Summit where the Governor pledged to support New York's position as a leader in wine production and boost tourism to grow the economy Upstate. Governor Cuomo premiered the television ad today at the Governor’s Cup Wine Tour and Competition awards ceremony.

At the ceremony, the Governor also announced Keuka Spring Vineyards’ 2012 Riesling of the Finger Lakes region won this year’s Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizing the “Best of Show” or top prize from more than 800 entries in the annual New York Wine & Food Classic wine competition. In addition, McCall Wines from Long Island won the “Winery of the Year” award.

“This promotional advertising campaign delivers on another promise made at the Wine, Beer, and Spirits Summit where we pledged to help grow New York’s position as a global leader in wine production,” Governor Cuomo said. “New York’s wine industry supports thousands of jobs across the state and is an important partner to our agricultural and tourism industries. Our promotional efforts – including this ad campaign as well as initiatives like Taste NY and special wine events – are putting New York’s wine products on a national and international stage. Our local wineries are producing truly world-class wines, and we want these businesses to thrive and people to enjoy a taste of New York. And today’s winner of the Governor’s Cup, Keuka Spring Vineyards, is a testament to the high quality wines that we have to offer.”

To view the new ad, go to: http://livestre.am/4zPno.

To view photos from today’s wine tour, go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/governorandrewcuomo/sets/72157635057041879/.

The ad, which features rave reviews from wine critics around the country, encourages wine enthusiasts to buy locally made and produced products, and discover the distinctive varietals of New York State wines. In addition, the ad directs viewers to the newly launched Taste NY website, www.Taste.ny.gov, where they can purchase New York wines, learn more about the industry, and plan their next weekend getaway to one of the State’s hundreds of wineries.

New York is home to nearly 500 wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Producers account for more than $22 billion in annual total economic impact in the state and support tens of thousands of jobs statewide. The state ranks third in the nation in wine and grape production, has the second-most distilleries, and three of the top-producing 20 brewers in the United States are located in New York.
Since taking office, Governor Cuomo has worked to further develop this industry, which is a major driver of job creation and economic development in communities across the state. In July 2012, the Governor signed legislation designed to support New York's breweries and wineries, as well as increase demand for locally- grown farm products, and expand industry-related economic development and tourism. The 2013-14 State Budget introduced several new initiatives to help improve the marketing of New York State-produced products, including a total of $7 million for Market New York and Taste NY to support a multi-faceted regional marketing plan that will promote regional tourism and New York-produced goods and products.

 

The Governor also announced the following winners from the New York Wine & Food Classic competition.

 

The "Best of Category" awards, all eligible for the Governor's Cup, went to:

• Best Sparkling Wine
  Sparkling Pointe 2008 Blanc de Noirs
• Best White Wine
  Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling
• Best Rose Wine
  McGregor Vineyard Winery 2012 Rosé D’Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown
• Best Red Wine
  Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc
• Best Dessert Wine
  21 Brix 2011 Vidal Ice Wine
• Best Specialty Wine
  Earle Estates Meadery Raspberry Reflections
• Best Spirit
  Finger Lakes Distilling McKenzie Rye

Best of Class awards go to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least 7 wines. The "Best of Class" awards went to:

• Best Oaked Chardonnay
  Billsboro Winery 2012 Chardonnay
• Best Unoaked Chardonnay
  Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard 2012 Steel Fermented Chardonnay
• Best Overall Chardonnay
  Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard 2012 Steel Fermented Chardonnay
• Best Gewürztraminer
  Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Gewürztraminer
• Best Dry Riesling
  Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Dry Riesling
• Best Medium Dry Riesling
  Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling
• Best Medium Sweet Riesling
  Swedish Hill Winery 2012 Riesling
• Best Overall Riesling
  Keuka Spring Vineyards 2012 Riesling
• Best Pinot Grigio
  Damiani Wine Cellars 2012 Pinot Grigio
• Best Vinifera White Blend
  Bedell Cellars 2010 Taste White
• Best Cayuga
  McGregor Vineyard Winery 2012 Cayuga White
• Best Seyval
  Raymor Estate Cellars Seyval Blanc
• Best Hybrid White Blend
  Tug Hill Vineyards 43 Degrees Lat White
• Best Niagara
  Lakewood Vineyards 2012 Niagara
• Best Vinifera Rose
  McGregor Vineyard Winery 2012 Rosé D’Cabernet Franc, Estate Grown
• Best Native Rose
  Arbor Hill Grapery & Winery Coriesa Hill-Iona Rosé
• Best Catawba
  Torrey Ridge Winery Catawba
• Best Cabernet Sauvignon
  Wölffer Estate Vineyard 2010 Cassango Cabernet Sauvignon
• Best Merlot
  Martha Clara Vineyards 2010 Merlot
• Best Cabernet Franc
  Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc
• Best Pinot Noir
  McCall Wines 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve, Corchang Estate
• Best Lemberger
  Hosmer Winery 2010 Lemberger
• Best Vinifera Red Blend
  Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars 76 West
• Best Hybrid Red Blend
  Swedish Hill Winery Viking Red
• Best Fruit
  Baldwin Vineyards Strawberry Wine
• Best Cider
  Earle Estates Meadery Wort Hog
• Best Late Harvest Wine
  Paumanok Vineyards 2012 Late Harvest Riesling
• Best Ice Wine
  21 Brix 2011 Vidal Ice Wine
• Best Vinifera Sparkling White
  Chateau Frank 2007 Blanc de Noirs