Albany, NY - August 25, 2013 - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today presented McCall Wines of Long Island with a plaque commemorating their status as the 2013 New York Wine & Food Classic’s “Winery of the Year.” The Governor presented the award during Harvest East End 2013, which McCall Wines hosted. The award was announced at the recently held Governor’s Cup Wine Tour and Competition, at which the Governor toured multiple wineries with leading wine industry professionals, restaurateurs, and tourism officials to promote New York State wines.

“I am proud to deliver the Governor’s Cup Winery of the Year award to McCall wines—one of many world class wineries that have become a mainstay of Long Island’s fast growing wine industry,” Governor Cuomo said. “With topnotch, family-owned operations like McCall Wines, this industry is critical to not only promoting agriculture and tourism in New York, but also to supporting thousands of jobs and economic activity across the state. Highlighting these world-class, locally produced wines – as we did last week at the Governor’s Cup Wine Tour and Competition – is a great way to support this valuable industry.”

 

In addition to presenting McCall Wines with their award, the Governor also highlighted a new television ad campaign promoting New York State wines. The ad campaign is one result of the the Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit convened by the Governor last year with industry leaders to identify ways to further solidify New York’s position as a leader in wine production and tourism.

 

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 State ranks second in the U.S. for wine and grape production, and Long Island’s vineyards alone produce roughly 500,000 cases of wine per year. The local economic impact of Long Island’s wineries is also significant – in 2011 more than one million visitors spent roughly $90 million in the region.

 

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.

 

Other award-winning wines, wineries, and vineyards from the New York Wine & Food Classic competition can be found at:http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/08132013-governors-cup-winners