Senator Kathy Marchione announces Senate passage of her legislation establishing the “Upper Hudson Wine Trail” to promote and grow New York’s vital grape, grape juice, and wine industries

For Release: Thursday, June 15, 2017
Contact: Josh Fitzpatrick, (518) 455-2381, fitzpatr@nysenate.gov

Albany, NY – Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C,I,Reform-Halfmoon), Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, today announced the Senate’s passage of her legislation, Senate Bill S.213A, that would amend the State’s Highway Law to designate a portion of the State Highway System in the upper Hudson region as the “Upper Hudson Wine Trail.” Senator Marchione’s bill unanimously passed the Senate during Session today by a vote of 60-0.

Senator Marchione’s legislation would designate portions of the State Highway as the Upper Hudson Wine Trail from its northern point at Lake George, to its southernmost point at Clarksville, and as far west as Fonda, and to the easternmost point at Salem. The designation is intended to help promote, and grow, New York’s vital grape, grape juice and wine industries that generate more than $4.8 billion in economic benefits yearly. These industries consist of approximately 1,630 family vineyards and over 400 wineries producing 175,000,000 bottles of wine and generating $408 million in state and local taxes annually.

Successful wineries and vineyards have been established in Saratoga, as well as across the Capitol Region and an official State designation of a wine trail for tourism and industry promotion would serve as a catalyst for the continued sustainability and profitability of local grapes and grape products. The Upper Hudson Wine Trail would effectively highlight products of the region’s fertile glacial soil and ideal grape-growing micro-climates by maximizing the benefits of New York State’s agricultural and natural resources.

“Agriculture is the backbone of New York’s economy. The creation of an Upper Hudson Wine Trail will promote our grape, grape juice and wine industries, support agri-tourism, help create new jobs and attract more investment and visitors. This is a positive step we can, and should take to support these vital industries and keep our agricultural sector growing,” Senator Marchione said.

Senator Marchione’s legislation has an Assembly companion measure, Assembly Bill A.8345, sponsored by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake). The Assembly companion legislation was referred to the Assembly Transportation Committee on June 9, 2017.

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