Senator Young Announces Formation of Statewide Wine & Grape Caucus

State Senator Catharine "Cathy" Young (R,I,C - Olean) today announced that she has formed the Wine and Grape Caucus, a statewide, bipartisan caucus of state legislators.

"The wine and grape business in the State of New York is a success story of economic development, with tremendous growth in tourism and jobs," said Senator Young. "Our state ranks third in the country in grape and wine production which created more than $6 billion in economic activity last year, with more than 30,000 full time jobs. Our legislative caucus will work together to improve the industry’s invaluable contribution to the State and its residents."

The caucus, made up of members of the State Assembly and Senate, will work together to address policy initiatives relating to the wine and grape business throughout the state.

"The wine and grape industry in New York is exploding," said Senator Young. "I’m looking forward to continuing our work with the advocates from the wine and grape industry to spur additional progress. The state must do everything it can to provide a coordinated, collective effort to ensure the continued economic success of this vital agricultural product, I’m optimistic that the Wine and Grape Caucus will prove beneficial in achieving that goal."

New York’s grape, grape juice and wine industry annually creates over $440 million in gross sales, attracts more than 4 million tourists and generates over $370 million in State and local revenue. The annual grape harvest reaps 145,000 tones of grapes, of which 71% are used for grape juice, 28% for wine and 1% for fresh fruit.

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