Last month, the New York Wine and Grape Foundation (NYWGF) initiated a call for proposals to conduct a state-wide vineyard survey. The primary objective of this survey is to understand the New York grape and wine industry changes since last surveyed in 2011. The survey is planned for next year and will focus on the types of grapes being cultivated.
In 2011, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) discontinued its detailed vineyard and orchard acreage survey, completed every five years. This leaves the Census of Agriculture, last compiled in 2017 and reviewed for updates every five years, as the sole source for the number of farms and acres of grape cultivation in New York.
Aside from the limitations of relying on somewhat dated sources, it is safe to say that New York remains the third-largest wine-producing state in the country. Here are some key figures that provide insights into the New York wine industry:
- New York currently boasts approximately 35,000 acres of vineyards, of which 11,000 acres are dedicated explicitly to wine grape cultivation. California leads the nation with 860,000 vineyard acres, followed by Washington with 75,000 acres (Ag Census, 2018).
- Grapes are the state’s second-largest fruit and vegetable crop, both in terms of acreage and value. In 2017, annual grape production in New York was estimated at $69 million (Ag Census, 2018; John Dunham & Associates, 2019).
- New York was one of the first states to produce commercial wine and is the home to America’s oldest continuously operating winery, Brotherhood Winery in the Hudson Valley, which has been making wine since 1839 (Robinson, 2013).
- Native American varieties, mainly the Concord grape, make up more than 80% of the grapes grown in New York, with much of that used for grape juice. Of the European varieties, Riesling is the most widely planted (USDA NASS, 2011).
- New York has 11 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), with the Lake Erie and Finger Lakes AVAs being the largest (TTB, 2023).
- The Lake Erie AVA includes 338 vineyards, representing over 50% of all vineyards in the state. The Finger Lakes AVA has the highest number of wineries, with over 100 establishments (NYGWF, 2023).
- Since 2011, the number of licensed wineries in New York has increased 72% from 285 to 490. The wineries sell most New York wine in their tasting rooms, or to local stores or restaurants instead of wholesalers (NYGWF, 2023).
As we look ahead, it is important to note that the 2022 Census of Agriculture data is set to be released in February 2024. This report will offer updated insights into the number of farms and acres dedicated to grape cultivation in New York.
Additionally, the comprehensive vineyard survey next year supported by NYWGF promises to provide crucial updates on grape variety data and the volume of grapes harvested, marking a substantial advancement over decade-old information.
