O’Mara and Palmesano: Thank you to voters for making Finger Lakes 'America's Best Wine Region’

Corning, N.Y., August 31—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today thanked area voters who participated over the past several weeks in USA Today’s 10 Best online Readers’ Choice competition to decide America’s “Best Wine Region,” which was won by the Finger Lakes region.

The legislators also applauded F.L.X. Table (Geneva) for its designation as the nation’s “Best Winery Restaurant,” and Fox Run Café at Fox Run Vineyards (Penn Yan) which placed 3rd in the same contest.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “We are thrilled to have this chance to raise a glass to all of the voters who took the time, day after day, to let America know that the beauty and the quality of the Finger Lakes wine region is unmatched.  It’s a truly satisfying victory that keeps the Finger Lakes region on the national map and helps show our local pride in Finger Lakes wine country as a leading destination for visitors from around the globe, an absolute foundation of our leading tourism industry, and a cornerstone of our local culture and economy."

Additionally, the legislators expressed their congratulations to the following Top 10 finishers: Veraisons Restaurant at Glenora Wine Cellars (Dundee, Best Winery Restaurant, 8th Place); Herman J. Wiemer Vineyard (Dundee, Best Winery Tour, 7th Place); Fox Run Vineyards (Penn Yan, Best Tasting Room, 7th Place); Dr. Konstantin Frank (Hammondsport, Best Tasting Room, 10th Place); Belhurst Castle (Geneva, Best Wine Country Hotel, 3rd Place), and The Finger Lakes Wines Festival (Best Wine Festival, 5th Place).

The local legislators have long singled out the Finger Lakes wine region for its unique contributions centered on 140 wineries and tasting rooms, four wine trails, more than 9,300 acres of vineyards, and 54,600 tons of grape production.        

They have steadily highlighted the contributions of other regional attractions, including Watkins Glen International (WGI) where events annually generate over $200 million in economic activity across the region and account for more than 2,000 local jobs. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in August is one of New York’s largest sporting events and attracts fans from all 50 states, as well as 16 different countries.          .

Since May when it was launched in the Hudson River in New York City at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG) “GlassBarge” has been commemorating the 150th Anniversary of glassmaking in Corning with a summer-long series of glassblowing demonstrations at ports along the Erie Canal in conjunction with the celebration of the canal’s bicentennial.  The GlassBarge will dock at the Seneca Falls Canal Harbor from September 1-3 before moving on to the Seneca Lake Pier in Watkins Glen from September 14-16.  A ceremonial last leg of the trip will take place on land and the GlassBarge will arrive in Corning for a final celebration on September 22.  Find out more HERE.

One of this year’s featured Finger Lakes events will be TBEX North America 2018, which will be held in Finger Lakes Wine Country from September 11-13 at the CMOG.  TBEX North America is the largest conference and networking event for travel bloggers, online travel journalists, new media content creators, travel brands and industry professionals.  The annual event is held at host destinations in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Find out more HERE.