Albany, NY - October 9, 2014 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced a Taste NY pilot marketing and branding program to maximize exposure for New York State wines, spirits and ciders at liquor stores across the state. Taste NY promotional materials identifying products as “Made in New York” are already on display in six liquor stores, and will soon be rolled out in dozens more from Long Island to Western New York.
"These new Taste NY displays will make it easier than ever for customers to spot some of the best wine, spirits and ciders in the world – all made right here in the Empire State," Governor Cuomo said. "New York’s craft beverage producers have experienced tremendous growth during the past four years, and this program is the latest in this administration's many efforts to keep the momentum going and foster additional growth and job creation in this industry.”
The Taste NY marketing and branding program for liquor stores is a result of Governor Cuomo’s second Wine, Beer, Spirits and Cider Summit, where industry feedback indicated that a more visible affiliation with New York would help maximize exposure and sales. The program includes Taste NY signage to highlight New York wine and spirit brands on shelves and encourages store owners to build product displays highlighting the wide variety of New York brands.
State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Governor Cuomo’s Taste NY program continues to evolve in its efforts to expose New York agriculture to the masses. Our latest foray into liquor stores will help consumers identify New York State products with ease and in turn help increase sales for our state’s hardworking wineries, distilleries and cideries. Taste NY is in the right place at the right time for this booming, homegrown industry.”
State Liquor Authority Chairman Dennis Rosen said, “Wine, beer, spirits and cider manufacturers I speak with across the state consistently praise the Governor’s highly successful Taste New York initiative as a major component of their success. As the majority of new producers entering this industry are small, often family run businesses lacking large marketing budgets, Taste NY has been instrumental in promoting their products and increasing their sales.”
The six liquor stores participating in the new Taste NY pilot are:
- Fox & Hound Wine & Spirits, 271 Main Street, New Paltz
- McCabes Wine and Spirits, 1347 3rd Ave, New York City
- Bottle Buys, 350 Glen Head Rd, Glen Head
- Bombace Wine & Spirits, 6081 New York 96, Farmington
- Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse, 9 Halfmoon Crossing, Halfmoon
- Gates Circle Liquor, 1430 Delaware Ave, Buffalo
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets worked with the New York State Liquor Store Association to identify the pilot locations, and to roll out even more marketing displays and materials at two trade shows coming this month.
On October 14, the New York State Liquor Store Association’s 5th Annual Tradeshow will take place from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany. Taste NY materials just like the ones on display at the six pilot stores will be available for industry representatives interested in showcasing New York State products at their places of business. On October 16, staff from Taste NY will present a display at the Association’s Holiday Tradeshow in Rochester, which takes place from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. Marketing materials will be available for participating liquor stores at the event. The Trade Show in Rochester will also feature nearly 90 wine, beer, spirits and cider companies sampling and promoting their craft beverages under the Taste NY banner for liquor store, restaurant and bar owners statewide.
New York State Liquor Store Association President Tom Edwards said, “We are proud to showcase and promote Governor Cuomo’s Taste NY initiative at the NYS Liquor Store Association’s 5th Annual Holiday Tradeshow. NYSLSA’s partnership with Taste NY exemplifies the successful partnering of our small businesses. We look forward to our continuing our partnership with the Governor and his Taste NY initiative.”
New York Wine & Grape Foundation President Jim Trezise said, “This latest Taste NY initiative is very exciting and timed perfectly for the end-of-year season when a great deal of wine is sold for holiday meals, parties and gifts. The Taste NY point-of-sale materials are eye-catching and attractive, and will help guide loyal consumers to the wines produced in their home state. We hope that many wine retailers will take advantage of this program and increase their profits with sales of great New York wines. We once again thank Governor Cuomo for his unprecedented support of our industry, and the Department of Agriculture and Markets for their role in creating this innovative program.”
New York State Distillers Guild President Nicole Austin said, “The New York State Distillers Guild supports this latest effort by Taste NY to highlight New York products. Consumers will certainly appreciate the diverse group of high quality spirits produced in New York State.”
Nine Pin Ciderworks proprietor and cider maker Alejandro del Peral said, “As the state's first licensed farm cidery, Nine Pin is proud to be part of Taste NY. This is an incredible opportunity to be able to promote our cider, crafted entirely from Capital Region and Hudson Valley apples, across New York State. Nine Pin's products are currently found in various locations across the Empire State and we're confident we can grow our New York market because of this new Taste NY campaign.”
More information about Taste NY can found on Twitter, Facebook and www.taste.ny.gov.