New York Drinks New York

There was a major buzz in more ways than one at Astor Place Wines on monday, March 12th as the New York Wine & Grape Foundation held the "New York Drinks New York" Grand Tasting. It was a quite the sight as many as 35 wineries from across the New York state area united for one cause - Get New Yorkers to Drink New York!

I was lucky enough to not only attend but participate in this event as I helped represent Swedish Hill Winery from the Finger Lakes. Numerous retailers, restaurants and members of the press were present from all across the Tri-State area to sample New York's finest.

As this event was one of my first major events I have participated in I did not know exactly what to expect. It is safe to say that it surpassed all my expectations.

The New York wine industry was extremely friendly and were very welcoming to the aforementioned "new kids on the block" or more professionally known as the DiSalvo & Sons. It was refreshing to have competing vineyards, distribution companies etc unite and try to garner more recognition for New York wines.

Hopefully our goal was achieved and New York wines will be more readily available for consumers to consume!

Introduction

Hi All,


Welcome to my blog "A New York State of Wine"! Where it is my goal to raise awareness about the New York Wine industry one post at a time. First let me tell you a little a bit about myself before you sign your life away to follow my blog!


I was born and raised from New York, and I currently live in Manhattan. After graduating College in Florida, I decided to move back home to be closer with my family rather than prune up and retire in sunny Florida.  I bounced from job to job trying to find my purpose in New York just like any college graduate. Not until one fateful wedding in the Finger Lakes did I find my purpose...


I am ashamed to say this hailing from New York but I was completely unfamiliar with the Finger Lakes region. I know! What kind of New Yorker am I! My family and I attended my cousins wedding in the Finger Lakes and part of the weekend events was a wine tasting. My mother, brother and I along with the rest of my family were blown away with the quality of wines.


We ventured back to New York City to try to purchase the wines we drank, and to much of our dismay we could not find them at all! We could not fathom how you could not find New York Wines in New York. It did not make any sense so we questioned this puzzling irony and did our homework.


Shortly after my family, consisting of my brother and my mom formed DiSalvo & Sons Distribution. We put our business plan into play and approached the vineyards in the Finger Lakes. Soon after we became proud distributors of Swedish Hill, Goose Watch, Penguin Bay and then Osprey Dominion Vineyards from Long Island.


Since being in business less than a year we have received a tremendous response in the metropolitan area and have picked up accounts in retailers and restaurants. Each day we gain more accounts.  Finally, we are getting New York Wines the recognition they deserve!


It is not only our goal to get these local wines on the shelf but to raise awareness and launch initiatives to get the great wines off the shelf to the consumers.


However, it is not my goal to just shamelessly plug the products I distribute on this blog (although there will be some = ) It is my goal to bring attention to not only New York wines but anything New York! Whether it be restaurants, music, food, or anything that has to pertain to the greatest city in the world! And that ladies and gentlemen is what a A New York State of Wine is all about!


Stay tuned to and stay thirsty!


Thanks,
Nick