By Finger Lakes Correspondent Jason Feulner
According to the New York State Department of Agriculture, nearly 60% of wine sales in the Finger Lakes occur at the winery site by visiting consumers.
These sales statistics are reflected in the strong regional alliances between wineries, wine routes, businesses and restaurants. The Finger Lakes has long sold itself as a scenic destination with wine as the main attraction. Visitors, enamored with the beauty of the area, are often inclined to purchase what they taste.
This story in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle by Deborah Alexander reports that visitors with more spending money are coming to the Finger Lakes. While the article emphasizes that vacationers nationwide are choosing to take shorter trips by car, there is little doubt in my mind that the recent press in various wine publications about the consistent quality of Finger Lakes Rieslings has helped boost the area’s image.
It’s not just about the pretty scenery and tranquil countryside: there are some serious wines to be tasted.
The Elmira Star-Gazette has also noticed the upward trend in tourism in both this editorial and an article by Ray Finger.
Winery owners have taken notice as well. Scott Osborn, owner and operator of Fox Run Vineyards on Seneca Lake, has followed the trend closely. "We saw an increase of over 5,000 visitors last year," Scott tells LENNDEVOURS. "We do over 50% of our wine sales in our tasting room, and the cafe and gift shop contribute greatly to our income." Scott has also noticed a change in the type of visitors who come to Fox Run. "Visitors are getting younger and are more interested in learning about wine, and the number of visitors from over 200 miles is increasing in the summer."
How will all this surging tourism affect the wine? It's probably too early to tell, but tourism is always a double-edged sword. Wineries that have always emphasized quality will undoubtedly benefit. The money flowing around will probably attract new start-ups, and it remains to be seen whether these will be promising wineries run by consumate profeessionals or lackluster operations started by entrepreneurs who want to cash in but don't know anything about quality wine.
Time will tell. In the meantime, it's fun to see more and more people enjoying the Finger Lakes and its wine.
It is very refreshing to get a taste of finger lakes correspondent Jason. His take on finger lake wine is often fair and reasonable. I look forward to your next post. Lastly, did you know that the finger lakes were carved out by artic glaciers.
Posted by: Coffee Cup O'Neil | May 11, 2007 at 03:24 PM
Jason, I was at the NY Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua for lunch today and I was frankly amazed at how busy it was. The restaurant was full (it's small to be sure) within the first half hour and folks were everywhere. I've had a fear that it wouldn't catch on but it seems to be a reflection of the healthy tourism you write about. BTW Lenn, I snagged a bottle of Shinn Estate's 2004 Wild Boar Doe to open up this fall.
Posted by: Jennifer BB | May 11, 2007 at 11:48 PM
Jennifer--Overall, I think Upstate New York is being re-discovered. Before the advent of flight, various regions of New York were considered prime vacation areas for the middle-class and wealthy residents of the East Coast. Now, it seems like more and more press is being given to these large areas that are, frankly, not very expensive and still have a bit of that rustic feel.
Recently, the Adirondacks have seen an upsurge of interest as well. People seem amazed that the biggest park in the United States is sitting in New York state, and much of its scenery and endless hiking routes are amazing. The Finger Lakes are doing well because of their natural beauty and the accumulating critical praise of some of the varietals of wine it produces. I saw news story yesterday that the Finger Lakes would be featured on the next cover of National Geographic Traveler magazine!
Hopefully, all this tourism helps revive the sagging economies up here!
Posted by: Jason Feulner | May 12, 2007 at 12:04 PM
Anyone in the LENNDEVOURS community going to be at the Finger Lakes Wine Fest in July? I'm all set & registered with my camping pass!
Posted by: Jeff | May 14, 2007 at 05:12 PM