Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell
(D-Theresa) announced that legislation she sponsored to support local vineyards
and wineries by establishing the St. Lawrence Wine Trail has been signed into
law (Ch.108 of 2014). The trail connects three wineries from Hammond to Winthrop
and provides new opportunities for marketing and increased tourism. The
Assemblywoman will visit Bella Brook Winery this evening.
“Word is starting to spread that the
North Country is producing some of the best wines in the state, and world”
Assemblywoman Russell said. “This new wine trail literally puts these
businesses on the map and will benefit other small businesses as it attracts
more visitors to our communities. I will be delivering the good news to Bella
Brook Winery tonight and am looking forward to visiting the other wineries.”
The St. Lawrence Wine Trail starts
near Black Lake’s Bella Brooke Winery in Hammond, extending to Lisbon’s River
Myst Winery, and then to High Peaks Winery in Winthrop, enabling the companies
to join together in marketing St. Lawrence County as a wine destination.
“It is crucial that we support our
local businesses by providing them with all the tools necessary for their
success,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “With the 1000 Islands Wine trail already
in place, this new trail will cement the North Country as a destination for wine
enthusiasts and bring more customers to these businesses. I encourage everyone
to get out and visit these fine wineries on the new St. Lawrence Wine Trail.”
The creation of the St. Lawrence
Wine Trail brings the total number of wine trails across New York State to seventeen.
Located in every region of the state, these trails have played a significant
role in promoting New York as one of the best wine producing states,
contributing to a 40% rise in the number of wineries since 2011.
As part of her commitment to supporting
New York State’s wine industry, this year Assemblywoman Russell sponsored and
helped pass legislation allowing on premises tastings at New York wineries and
easing other burdensome regulations like food requirements for on premises
tastings (A.10122).
Further, in 2012, Assemblywoman
Russell helped pass legislation would exclude those operating under a farm
winery license or a farm distillery license issued by the State Liquor
Authority from the obligation to file the otherwise-required annual information
return with the Department of Taxation and Finance (A.9523).
Eliminating these burdensome and antiquated
regulations helps small wineries grow their businesses and create more jobs,
Assemblywoman Russell noted.
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