October 5, 2013
New York State has three new wine laws, signed Friday by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
- Chapter 344, first introduced in the Assembly by Robin Schimminger (A2024A), re-designates the Niagara Escarpment Wine Trail and the Niagara Wine Trail as "Niagara Wine Trail Ridge" and the "Niagara Wine Trail Lake."
- Chapter 347, first introduced in the Assembly by James Skoufis (A4614A), expands the portion of the state highway system designated as the “Shawangunk East Wine Trail.”
- Chapter 355, first introduced in the Senate by William Larkin (S267), authorizes roadside farm markets to sell wine from up to two farms, special, or micro-wineries located within 20 miles of the stand.
While the first two new pieces of legislation are more of a marketing tool, the roadside market expansion is something more consumers should immediately see.
Says Assemblyman Bill Magee, who pushed Senator Larkin's bill in the Assembly, "It was just an idea that was all part of creating more direct marketing in the governor’s Taste NY program. [It] encourages New York residents to use New York farm products, so we have to do everything make them as accessible as possible."
