O’Mara, Palmesano co-host 7th Annual ‘Sip and Sample’ in Albany: Annual event continues Legislature’s work to promote and support New York-made wine, cheese, food products

Albany, N.Y., February 6—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) this week co-hosted the New York Wine Industry Association’s (NYWIA) 7th Annual “Sip and Sample” in Albany.

The statewide tasting event has continued to grow over the past several years into one of the Legislature’s top efforts to promote New York State-made wines, cheeses and other food products.

This year’s 7th Annual NYWIA “Sip and Sample” featured producers from the Finger Lakes and other regions from throughout the state.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “We are proud to once again join our legislative colleagues to help promote the quality of New York State winemakers, cheese producers and other food manufacturers.  It’s one of our state’s great cultural and economic success stories with the industry cornerstone being right here in the Finger Lakes region.  These industries are economic engines for a great number of communities throughout New York State and provide good, sustainable livelihoods for thousands of New Yorkers. We’re glad to have this opportunity to help promote these locally produced wines, cheeses and other products, and we’re grateful to the New York Wine Industry Association for their outstanding support of this showcase event in Albany.”

NYWIA President Erica Paolicelli, Co-owner of Three Brothers Wineries & Estates in Geneva, said, “The Sip and Sample is a unique opportunity for our industry to showcase wines from the entire state.  It's a chance for our members to meet their legislators face to face and to thank them for all they do for us.  This was our 7th annual event and attendance was better than it's ever been.  We're grateful to the legislators that see the importance of sponsoring this event for our industry.”

The area legislators pointed to a recent study funded by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) highlighting the overall economic impact of the state’s wineries, growers, distributors, and the overall grape and wine industry.  According to the 2019 economic impact study, New York’s wine and grape industry supports nearly 72,000 jobs, generates $2.79 billion in wages and close to a $7 billion direct economic impact.

NYWGF Executive Director Sam Filler said, “We’re continuously proud of the incredible and growing contributions our industry brings to both the state and the U.S. and we’re looking forward to the years of boldly growing in the future.” 

O’Mara and Palmesano said Monday’s “Sip and Sample” complemented the state’s overall strategies to promote and support products grown and made in New York. 

The NYWIA was established in 2009 by a group of grape growers, winery owners and other industry professionals as an advocacy, and public awareness and education organization.