More New York wineries opening soon

ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - The organization that tracks New York's wine industry says about a dozen new wineries are sprouting up across the state this summer. The WXXI Innovation Trail's Zack Seward explains.

Wine in New York used to be exclusively synonomous with the Finger Lakes.

"But now it's spreading all over the place."

That's Jim Trezise, the president of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation.

He says that about a dozen new wineries are opening this summer alone. And while the Finger Lakes will be seeing a handful of new vineyards, so too will Long Island and even Potsdam, in the North Country.

Trezise says branching out beyond the Finger Lakes is a positive development for New York's wine industry.

"It's good that wineries are springing up in other regions because it makes us stronger politically," said Trezise. "And also, you know, if it's a winery that's three hours away from the Finger Lakes, then obviously they're not going to be competing for the same tourists."

While Trezise says the Finger Lakes is still the primary hub of New York's wine industry, he says 51 out of the state's 62 counties now have wineries or winery tasting rooms.

His organization commissioned a study that found New York wineries generating more than $3.7 billion of economic activity.

According to Trezise, that data is from 2008. He says the current figure is even closer to $4 billion.