Help Pass NY Wine Budget and Cabernet Franc Recognition

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BUDGET REQUEST: $1,400,000 for NYWGF

We are calling on state leaders to allocate vital funding for the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF).

As a $6.6 billion industry supporting over 70,000 jobs, New York’s vineyards are essential to our state’s economy. We are advocating for a $1,400,000 appropriation in the SFY 2026–2027 State Budget, which includes funding specifically dedicated to the Cab Franc Forward NY initiative.

Why This Matters:

Support Local Wineries: This funding expands trade education and reduces costs for family-owned wineries to reach new markets.
Economic Viability: Strategic investment ...

BUDGET REQUEST: $1,400,000 for NYWGF

We are calling on state leaders to allocate vital funding for the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF).

As a $6.6 billion industry supporting over 70,000 jobs, New York’s vineyards are essential to our state’s economy. We are advocating for a $1,400,000 appropriation in the SFY 2026–2027 State Budget, which includes funding specifically dedicated to the Cab Franc Forward NY initiative.

Why This Matters:

Support Local Wineries: This funding expands trade education and reduces costs for family-owned wineries to reach new markets.
Economic Viability: Strategic investment ensures that our world-class recognition translates into tourism and long-term agricultural growth.
Legislative Leadership: Support for Bill S9177 (Hinchey/Barrett) cements New York’s status as a global leader in high-quality red wine production.

LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY: Official State Designation

We advocate for the immediate passage of legislation introduced by Assemblymember Didi Barrett (A.10317) and Senator Michelle Hinchey (S.9177) to designate Cabernet Franc as New York State’s Official Red Wine Grape. This designation would recognize the grape’s growing economic and cultural importance while reinforcing New York’s leadership in producing distinctive, high-quality wines.

We ask that you please reach out to your representatives in the New York State Senate and Assembly to voice your support in advancing A.10317 and S.9177 out of committee and ensuring the $1,400,000 NYWGF budget is fully funded.

Strategic investment through the New York Wine & Grape Foundation helps growers and wineries compete more effectively while strengthening rural communities and wine tourism across the state.

Thank you for being part of this movement and for helping us continue to build momentum for New York wine.

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Email Your New York State Senate and Assembly Members to Help Secure Funding for Cab Franc Forward NY Activities and Cabernet Franc Recognition

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Your Winery Name

Subject:

As a participant in the Cab Franc Forward coalition and a member of New York’s wine industry, I am writing to encourage your support for increased State investment in the New York Wine & Grape Foundation as the final State budget is negotiated.

The Senate added $325,000 to the Governor’s proposal for a total of $1,400,000 in funding for the Foundation. I respectfully encourage you to support this funding level in the final State budget.

This investment will help expand programs that promote New York wines, strengthen industry collaboration, and grow initiatives such as Cab Franc Forward, a statewide coalition working to elevate Cabernet Franc as one of New York’s defining wines.

Cab Franc Forward brings together wineries from across the state to increase consumer awareness, engage trade and media audiences, and highlight the quality and diversity of New York Cabernet Franc.

In addition, I respectfully encourage your support for legislation introduced by Assemblymember Didi Barrett (A10317) and Senator Michelle Hinchey (S9177) to designate Cabernet Franc as New York State’s official red wine grape. This designation would recognize the grape’s growing economic and cultural importance while reinforcing New York’s leadership in producing distinctive, high-quality wines.

New York’s wine and grape industry supports more than 70,000 jobs and generates over $6.6 billion in economic impact statewide. Strategic investment through the New York Wine & Grape Foundation helps growers and wineries compete more effectively while strengthening rural communities and wine tourism across the state.

Thank you for your support of New York agriculture and the wine and grape industry.

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