Finger Lakes Wineries create engaging marketing programs during Coronavirus pandemic

May 28, 2020 by evebushman

Geneva, NY – Wineries in New York’s Finger Lakes Region are adapting marketing procedures during the Coronavirus pandemic. Tasting rooms are offering curbside pickup options and are featuring online ordering specials.

“I am in awe of our Finger Lakes wineries. They have completely redesigned their 2020 marketing activities since New York went into PAUSE mode mid-March” states Carmela Barbagallo, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. Curbside pickup and online sales have grown and the wineries are grateful for an outpouring of support from their customers, wine club members, retail and restaurant partners.

“Many of the Finger Lakes wineries are family-run operations. We have seen them embrace this new operating environment with agility and grace whether or not they have a dedicated marketing department. Finger Lakes wineries are finding innovative ways to connect with their customers and provide hope, entertainment and some good old-fashioned fun” states Barbagallo. Anthony Road Wine Company on Seneca Lake recently hosted a trivia night led by their winemaker Peter Becraft and his chocolatier wife, Cary Becraft. “Peter’s dry humor and Cary’s infectious laughter delighted participants. Each round is sponsored by an Anthony Road wine. I joined in during the “Lemberger” Round on Tuesday night” stated Barbagallo. They have had teams from all over the U.S. participating.

Another Seneca Lake winery, Lakewood Vineyards has truly embraced marketing via digital platforms. The Lakewood team has filmed an educational walk in the vineyard with General Manager, Liz Stamp, and are running a wine pairing with takeout food series in support of local restaurants. They have implemented a Chopped-style cooking competition called COOK & CORK. Each week, Lakewood features 3 staffers competing to prepare a meal with a recent “episode” featuring 3 generations of employees. View it here. The good-natured competitiveness shines as Bev Stamp, the family matriarch, competes against her son and grandson to design a meal to pair with their 3 Generations Riesling. As a reminder, these are winemakers, not chefs! Everyone is wearing different hats during this pandemic.

Jeanne Wiltberger, from Keuka Spring Vineyards on Keuka Lake shared “we definitely had to transform our marketing and sales initiatives. We realized how, with wine, we are in the business of making connections. We sent an email to advertise our stay home shipping special, and I added a note that folks could reach out if they just wanted to say hello,” said Wiltberger. “The response was amazing. People called and chatted and emailed back greetings and responses. They were really ready to make that connection that we so often make in the tasting room. Right now, we have spring selections available for brightening people’s spirits that will be tasted at upcoming virtual tastings. We’re also in the process of giving away a year-long wine club membership to a deserving health care worker or community supporter. We received almost one hundred nominations for that! Reading through those has been humbling. There will be more specials and we’ll continue to reach out to keep people connected.”

Link to spring selections and virtual tastings:

https://www.keukaspringwinery.com/Wines/Special-Spring-Selections

https://www.keukaspringwinery.com/Visit-Us/Winery-Events

Weis Vineyards on Keuka Lake embraced virtual tastings as a way to connect with their customers. Partners Ashlee and Peter Weis offer dynamic, playful educational sessions which include Ashlee’s baking videos. They have such great chemistry in their videos and customers are responding positively via Facebook live comments and online orders. “We have had such a wonderful time engaging with our wonderful customers online. We miss seeing everyone in the tasting room and are so grateful we are able to stay in touch. We decided to offer our virtual tastings as a way to stay connected, which we think is so important for everyone! It is so fun to see people engage with Peter in a way they normally don’t have a chance to, and I love peppering him with questions! We decided to add in a few baking videos because I love to bake and I think it can be such a relaxing and rewarding hobby. Any way that we can add some fun to peoples’ lives right now, is where we want to focus our time” states Ashlee Weis.

“As Finger Lakes wineries evolve their marketing procedures, they have been touched at the outpouring of support from customers near and far. It’s true that spending money locally can help keep small businesses afloat during these trying times” states Barbagallo.

To read more about the history of the Finger Lakes wine region, see this recent Finger Lakes Times article.

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About Finger Lakes Wine Alliance

Founded in 2004, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to increase the visibility and reputation of the Finger Lakes region, its wines and wineries. The alliance is comprised of 31 members and 15 affiliated businesses and vendors, and it is guided by a board of directors comprised of principals representing all four wine trails and non-wine trail wineries of the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance offers a wide range of programs to its members that include coordinating wine submissions for review by trade publications, presenting seminars on best practices in social media and online marketing, and a number of local and national events that increase visibility for Finger Lakes Wines.

With its glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates and gifted winegrowers, the Finger Lakes region is home to over 100 wineries that produce exceptional cool-climate wines and world-class Rieslings. For more information, visit www.fingerlakeswinealliance.com, call 585.993.1325 or connect on Facebook or Instagram.

FINGER LAKES WINE COUNTRY RECOGNIZED AS BEST WINE REGION 2019

October 7, 2019 by evebushman

FINGER LAKES WINE COUNTRY, N.Y. — Finger Lakes Wine Country has once again been recognized as the Best Wine Region by USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The region was named the Best Wine Region in 2018 as well. Over a period of 28 days, readers voted for their favorite wine region through USA Today’s online poll. The Finger Lakes region competed against nineteen other wine regions across the United States; the Top 10 being recognized by USA Today as the best, with the Finger Lakes taking the highest honor once again.

President of Finger Lakes Wine Country, Laury Ward, expressed excitement at the news and stated, “To receive this honorable award two years in a row is a testament to our local community of farmers, winemakers, and hospitality ambassadors. And to the many visitors, who, through word of mouth, and passion-driven branding and marketing of the region, have discovered and fallen in love with our stunning destination.”

Finger Lakes Wine Country is named for the long, slender glacially-carved lakes that contribute to the exceptional terroir that is characteristic to the region. It is home to more than 140 wineries that feature a diverse selection of cool-climate wines including Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Noir, among many others. Our picturesque landscape entices visitors from around the globe to discover our world-class wine, award-winning craft beverages, historic small towns and welcoming communities, local gastronomy, and the perfect backdrop for year-round outdoor recreation.

For more information, please visit www.FingerLakesWineCountry.com. Find us on social media! @FLXwinecountry #myFLX

The New York Wine and Grape Foundation Announces Winners of the 2019 New York Wine Classic

September 9, 2019 by evebushman

NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) has announced the winners of the 34th Annual New York Wine Classic. The New York Wine Classic took place on August 5^th – 7^th in Watkins Glen, NY and included entries from 113 wineries from across the state. Six Mile Creek Vineyard from the Finger Lakes region took home the most prestigious award of the competition, The Governor’s Cup, with their 2016 Cabernet Franc. Additionally, the esteemed “Winery of the Year” award was presented to Wagner Vineyards of the Finger Lakes region. The Specialty Wine Champion award, reserved for wines made of fruit or meads, was given to Johnson Estate Winery for their Passionate Peach fruit wine.

The Governor’s Cup, a large silver chalice, recognizes the “Best of Show” or top prize in the New York Wine Classic. The “Winery of the Year” award is presented to the winery with the best overall showing based on the level and number of awards in relation to entries. The Governor’s Cup and Winery of the Year winners will be presented with their awards at a special event later this summer.

Known as “The Oscars®” of New York wine competitions, the Classic is organized by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. This year the competition included 883 New York Wines from across the state. A total of 31 Double Gold, 56 Gold, 278 Silver, and 320 Bronze medals were awarded by a panel of more than 20 expert judges consisting of influential wine writers, wine educators, retailers, restaurateurs and experts from around the state and globe.

“The New York Wine Classic is one of our largest annual events honoring the best of New York Wines. We are thrilled with the turnout this year. The Classic and our annual NY Drinks NY events continue to help New York shine as a truly exciting and innovative wine region,” said Sam Filler, Executive Director, New York Wine & Grape Foundation.

Regional events and wine dinners hosted by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation will run throughout 2019. Event details will be listed on www.newyorkwines.org this summer.

The New York Wine & Grape Foundation is also proud to announce the following “Best of Category” winners:

Best Sparkling Wine
Harbes Vineyard, Blanc de Blancs

Best White Wine
Wagner Vineyards, 2017 Dry Riesling, Estate Grown

Best Rosé Wine
Coffee Pot Cellars, 2018 Rosé

Best Red Wine
Six Mile Creek Vineyard, 2016 Cabernet Franc

Best Dessert Wine
Vineyard View Winery, 2017 Ice Wine

Click here to view the full list of winners from the New York Wine Classic including complete “Best of Class” awards, given to Double Gold or Gold medal wines in classes of at least seven wines.

About The New York Wine Classic
The New York Wine Classic was created and is annually hosted by The New York Wine & Grape Foundation. Open to all New York State wineries, categories include vinifera wines like Riesling and Cabernet Franc, and hybrid wines like Traminette and Maréchal Foch. The contest also includes categories for wines made from labrusca grapes, other fruits, and honey.

About The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF)
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation promotes the world-class image of New York grapes and wines from the state’s diverse regions to responsibly benefit farmers, producers and consumers through innovative marketing, research, communication, and advocacy. Learn more at www.newyorkwines.org.

FLXcursion International Riesling Expo Coming in July

June 24, 2019 by evebushman

Geneva, NY – From July 21-23, over 150 leading winemakers, writers, sommeliers, and industry professionals from across the vinous world will be in the Finger Lakes for the FLXcursion International Riesling Expo. The Grand Tasting marks the opening event to kickoff the conference. The tasting will take place on the lakefront in Geneva, NY and tickets are now available. Winemakers and principals representing over 30 producers from cool climate regions around the world (Germany, Austria, US, Canada, Australia, and more) will be presenting their portfolios.

“Never before have so many wines and winemakers been on hand for tasting in our region, we can’t wait to share this experience with our local community ” says Co-chair of FLXcursion, Kelby Russell. Russell is the Winemaker at Red Newt Cellars on Seneca Lake.

“The Finger Lakes Region is ready to host the wine community on a scale of this size and the Grand Tasting is an incredible opportunity for wine enthusiasts to taste with winemakers and principals from many noted producers,” says Oskar Bynke, Co-chair of the FLXcursion and Co-owner of Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard and Standing Stone Vineyards on Seneca Lake.

Tickets to the Grand Tasting are $60 and include the tasting from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., hors d’oeuvres, and a souvenir glass. A select number of VIP tickets will be available for $100.

For more information visit flxcursion.com.

VinePair, in Partnership with Wine.com, Releases Their Top 50 Wines of 2018

December 13, 2018 by evebushman

NEW YORK (Newswire.com) – VinePair – the largest alcohol media company in North America with a digital footprint of 24 million – releases their Top 50 Wines of 2018. This is the third year VinePair has released a “best of the year” list, but the first time they are partnering with Wine.com – the largest online wine shop – who will feature all 50 of VinePair’s top wines on their website, so readers can easily purchase them. The top 50 list focuses on wines that are drinkable, interesting, and, above all, offer great value for money.

“We love VinePair’s fresh take on the world of wine,” said Mike Osborn, Founder and EVP at Wine.com. “We are excited to partner with them to give their readers easy access to the wines they recommend.

“We are thrilled to partner with Wine.com,” said Adam Teeter, CEO, and Co-Founder of VinePair. “For the past three years, VinePair’s Top 50 list has been the most read year-end wine ranking list in America, and we felt it was important to partner with another leader in the wine world in 2018.”

To determine which wines make the cut, VinePair’s panel tastes thousands of wines that have been submitted by wineries from around the country. What separates VinePair’s list from other publications is that VinePair staff members can also nominate bottles they have had throughout the year, which the panel will then purchase, taste, and grade in addition to the wines that have been submitted.

Rankings were decided based on the following criteria: all bottles had to be readily available in the U.S. None of the wines that made the list in 2017 were considered, and VinePair places a limit on one bottle per winery. The panel tastes the wines considered among the top 10, multiple times.

Some themes readers can expect from 2018’s Top 50:

Restrained Napa Cabs are the future. VinePair’s number one wine of 2018 is Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 from Napa Valley.
The Finger Lakes is going to become known as this country’s premier Riesling region. Number two on the list is Herman J. Wiemer HJW Vineyard Riesling 2016 from the Finger Lakes
Vina Vik is making South America’s Best Wine. Their Vik Bordeaux Blend was VinePair’s favorite bottle from the southern hemisphere.
Don’t sleep on Greece. Fourth best wine is Xinomavro “Ramnista” Macedonia, Ktima Kir-Yianni 2013 Xinomavro Naoussa
Lots of Champagne. Champagne consistently delivers the best bang for your sparkling buck and it’s not just for posh celebrations.

About: VinePair was started four years ago by Adam Teeter and Josh Malin, two media veterans who were interested and passionate about wine, beer and cocktails but discouraged by an elitist culture. Since then, it’s turned into the largest alcohol media company in North America delivering accessible, entertaining, and inspiring content about drinks and the experiences you have with a glass in hand.

Finger Lakes Winery Earns Top 100

November 21, 2018 by evebushman

DUNDEE, N.Y., RNewswire – In November 2018, the Missick family will mark its seventh anniversary of ownership of Villa Bellangelo, and there is much to celebrate.

In an impressive run, Bellangelo earned a spot as a producer of one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Top 100 Wines in the World for 2018, and has had a series of wines in Wine & Spirits Magazine’s “Best Of,” category. Bellangelo’s Top 100 honor was its 2015 Berry Select Riesling (with a score of 94). Noted wine writer Jamie Goode, author of Wine Science, recently commented on this wine’s “amazing harmony and depth.” Other “Best Of” notations in 2018 belong to its 2015 Gibson Vineyard Riesling (91), 2015 Reserve Chardonnay (91), and a listing as one of America’s Best Sparkling Wines with a nod in the Best Buy category for its Sparkling Cuvée.

Riesling at Villa Bellangelo, photo from their website.

When the Missick family moved from California to the Finger Lakes, it focused immediately on crafting authentic, delicious expressions of wines grown on the west side of Seneca Lake. With a “sense of place,” the varietal focus revolved around Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. “The beauty of Riesling, is that it has an ability to express its terroir in a way few varietals can,” according to winemaker, Christopher Missick; adding “and in the Finger Lakes, we can tease out those expressions in a way no other region in the United States can. This is a cool climate that has a growing season of extended beautiful warmth, and I feel we are exploring what is viable on the frontier of American viticulture.”

Bellangelo currently offers a dozen different Rieslings in its tasting rooms. “Riesling is the winemaker’s dream varietal: there are a hundred permutations on what is possible when we stand in the vineyard in late August,” Chris Missick stated. Missick added that he is particularly proud to see the Finger Lakes continually represented as one of the world’s great wine regions by wine periodicals such as Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Food & Wine, The International Wine Review, and online reviewers such as James Suckling, Vinous and others.

Having established a great reputation for Rieslings, Bellangelo is particularly proud of its recognition for work in sparkling wines and Chardonnay. Bellangelo began producing sparkling wine in 2014, including its Brut and Sparkling Merlot Rosé. This fall will see the release of its sparkling Gewurztraminer.

Bellangelo is a family owned winery with an historical past dating to 1866 and located on the West side of Seneca Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes AVA. The Missick family operates an additional tasting room in Geneva, NY, and produces the brand Can Do, a line of ready to drink delicious canned wines that includes Moscato, Rosé, Riesling and Chardonnay. The brands are currently represented by Wright Beverage Distributing, MHW Distribution, and BevStrat. Bellangelo’s winemaker, Chris Missick, is proud to be the only full-time winemaker in the world that is also admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Finger Lakes Named Top Wine Region by USA Today

September 29, 2018 by evebushman

GENEVA, N.Y.– The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance (FLWA) is proud to announce that the Finger Lakes wine region has been named the “Best Wine Region” by voters in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2018 Contest. Regions were selected by a panel of wine industry experts with the Finger Lakes topping a list of 20 regions including the Willamette Valley, Santa Barbara County, and Walla, Walla Valley.

“We were thrilled to be nominated and would like to thank everyone who voted for the Finger Lakes region in the contest” stated Tracey Dello Stritto, Executive Director of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. “To top this list of excellent wine regions is an honor. We would also like to recognize the local wineries, restaurants and hotels who received nominations in many other categories. These nominations show the depth of our region. Our committed growers, talented winemakers and passionate hospitality personnel have shared their excitement for the region for decades so receiving the ‘best wine region’ accolade is very rewarding.”

With its glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates and gifted winegrowers, the Finger Lakes region is home to over 130 wineries that produce exceptional cool-climate wines and world class Rieslings.

About Finger Lakes Wine Alliance

Founded in 2004, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to increase the visibility and reputation of the Finger Lakes region, its wines and wineries. The alliance is comprised of 38 members and 15 affiliated businesses and vendors, and it is guided by a board of directors comprised of principals representing all four wine trails and non-wine trail wineries of the Finger Lakes. With its glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates and gifted winegrowers, the Finger Lakes region is home to over 100 wineries that produce exceptional cool-climate wines and world-class Rieslings. For more information, visit www.fingerlakeswinealliance.com, call 315.791.2359 or connect on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Why Not Have…Drinking Goals for 2018? And No, it’s not too late to set them!

January 26, 2018 by evebushman

I’m not a person that makes new year resolutions often. It’s such a joke to set some very far-off sounding goal only to not even achieve it – as that’s become the norm. You can try and fool the system by setting goals that are simple to attain like…planning ahead for the next year’s resolutions you won’t be achieving! Egads, we’ve really become slackers.

So, in between not making resolutions at all or making resolutions that are too easy to achieve I challenge you to set some drinking resolutions. And feel free to be as lax as you want in reaching them – as it won’t matter to anyone whether you do or not! LOL.

These are my Drinking Goals for 2018, none of which requires over-imbibing but if you do please Uber:

Go to a tequila and/or Mezcal tasting as neither are in my comfort zone.

Go to more wine tastings of areas I’m unfamiliar with: Portugal (and not for the Port alone), Republic of Georgia, Finger Lakes…where else? Check out this CNN article on some lesser known wine areas.

Take advantage of more courses, maybe even a new certification, offered via my NASA (North American Sommelier Association) membership.

Frequent our local wine bars (Valencia Wine Company, Wine 661, Lee’s Wine Bistro, Newhall Press Room), winery tasting rooms (Pulchella, Double Trouble) and restaurants with fine wine lists (Le Chene, Newhall Refinery, Larsen’s, Greg’s List at Salt Creek Grille) more often.

Make it to the Japanese Food and Restaurant Expo put on by Mutual Trading again to further my education on Soju, Sake, beer and Japanese wine…all while sampling some delectable foods.

Continue to work with the WiSH Education Foundation to bring a new event to Old Town Newhall. Look for Wine Under the Stars early May where we will have wines culled from the latest winemakers making wine at the SCV Custom Crush Services paired with dishes from several different local restaurants. We will be the first to host an event on the rooftop of our new Laemmle theater.

Continue to work with our WiSH committee to bring in new spirit vendors to Cocktails on the Roof. This year marks our fourth year! (Save the date 9/7!) Last year our new vendor was Pomp and Whimsy Gin Liqueur and they said it was the best event they had ever poured at! (If you rep a spirit vendor and want your product seen in the first and only premier cocktail event Santa Clarita Valley email me: eve@evewine101.com)

Continue looking for the Spirits One Level now offered globally from WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust) since my Level Two in both isn’t transferable to take a Level 2 or 3 in Spirits alone. Haven’t found one offered remotely near me yet!

Get back to Denver to visit Stranahan’s again, see if I can get a taste of their annually made limited edition bourbon whiskey.

Get back to Park City to go to High West Distillery again as some of their spirits aren’t sold in here in California.

Continue my education on peated single malt whisky by attending LA Scotch Club’s annual Peatin’ Meetin’ again.

Take more classes at the Nth Show aka Universal Whisky Experience in Vegas early April…even though my husband may ditch me just to taste.

Make it to at least one meeting, aka tasting, of the no-longer-new LA Chapter of Women Who Whisky Club!

I hope to receive a comment or an email (eve@evewine101.com) with what your drinking resolutions are, I had so much fun making up mine!

Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com

Finger Lakes Wine Alliance Adds New Initiatives and Expanded Market Outreach

January 30, 2017 by evebushman

GENEVA, N.Y. – Capping a year that advanced awareness of the region’s prominence through robust, newsworthy activity within New York State, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is carrying the momentum into 2017 by adding targeted initiatives and presence in new markets as it continues to raise the profile of what has become a world-renowned AVA.

The annual Riesling Camp, scheduled for April, is expected to double in size, attracting 16-20 wine professionals next year. This three-day invitation-only workshop is designed to identify, educate and orient Finger Lakes brand ambassadors in key markets, particularly New York City.

The organization’s Riesling Rally, slated for mid-summer, will gather together member wineries that have committed to participating in Riesling Month activities planned for September. Riesling Rally introduces the annual September program with a tasting event hosted at a member winery. The event encourages the region’s wine retailers and restaurateurs to make connections with winery representatives for the purpose of scheduling tastings in and around the region throughout Riesling Month. The 2016 event was held at Three Brothers Winery and Estates.

In September, participating Riesling Month member wineries will gather to host a series of Riesling Launch tastings of recent vintages for wine retailers, restaurateurs, sommeliers, distributors and press. Typically staged in a variety of New York City venues, Riesling Launch will be expanded in 2017 to include three upstate markets. The 2016 events, which brought together 13 participating wineries, included a Grand Tasting in Manhattan, smaller events in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and an educational seminar that took place at the Brooklyn Wine Exchange.

And for the first time next year, the Alliance will seek to increase its corps of sommelier ambassadors not only through its expanded Riesling Camp but also by arranging panel tastings in key markets in and outside of New York State, according to Tracey Dello Stritto, Executive Director, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance.

“We are looking at sommelier panel tastings in cities including Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C. as well as select in-state locations,” she said. “And we are also considering hosting winemaker dinners in a number of markets to help broaden awareness of the Finger Lakes region and our member wineries,” Dello Stritto added.

New Officer Slate

The momentum of the Alliance’s busy coming year will be stewarded by its officers and board of directors. In January, the Alliance will introduce a new Executive Committee led by Liz Stamp (Lakewood Vineyards) as Chair, Bruce Murray (Boundary Breaks Vineyard) as Co-Chair, and Eric Frarey (Heron Hill Winery) as Secretary. Gene Pierce (Glenora Wine Cellars) will retain his incumbent position as Treasurer. Dello Stritto came on board as Executive Director in August 2016.

About Finger Lakes Wine Alliance

Founded in 2004, Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to increase the visibility and reputation of the Finger Lakes region, its wines and wineries. The alliance is comprised of 29 members and 15 affiliated businesses and vendors, and it is guided by a board of directors that includes winery owners and principles from the Finger Lakes AVA. With its glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates and gifted winegrowers, the Finger Lakes region is home to over 130 wineries that produce exceptional cool-climate wines and world-class Rieslings. For more information, visit www.fingerlakeswinealliance.com, call 315.791.2359 or connect on Facebook or Twitter.