Legislature approves Niagara Wine Trail expansion

Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) is pleased to announce that today both chambers of the State Legislature approved legislation (S.1095-A) to expand and rename the Niagara Wine Trail system.  The new configuration will extend the trail across all of Orleans County and into Western Monroe County, encompassing more wineries than ever before.

            “I have fought hard over the last couple years to make sure our wine trail system keeps up with the rapid growth we are seeing in local wineries,” Senator Maziarz said.  “This new configuration will make it easier for tourists and visitors to find our wineries.  Signage, literature, and other tourism promotion materials need to be updated to reflect the wineries in existence now and new wineries that are springing up almost every year.”

            According to the legislation, all of Route 104 between the Ferry Avenue/Route 62 intersection in Niagara Falls and Route 390 in Monroe County would be known as “Niagara Wine Trail Ridge.”  The complement to the ‘ridge’ route will be the “Niagara Wine Trail Lake,” which would follow Route 269 north from its intersection with Route 104 at the Niagara-Orleans County Line, then west to Route 425, then south to Route 62 and along that route until its intersection with I-290 in Amherst.

            Seventeen wineries are on the trail now and more are under development.  The money to pay for additional signage on an expanded trail system has already been earmarked through a 2011 Regional Economic Development Council Award.  The expansion would impose and new costs to taxpayers.

            “This configuration shows the public sector can work with the private sector to expand the economy, capitalize on our assets, and create jobs,” Senator Maziarz added.

            The bill will be sent to Governor Cuomo.

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