History
How We Came to Be
New York State is one of America's centers of agriculture. Its 35,600 farms use 7.55 million acres of land to produce an array of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meats. In 2004, agriculture contributed $3.6 billion to New York's economy. New York is a top three national producer of many food products including milk, apples, grapes, cabbage, cauliflower and pumpkins.
Not surprisingly, New York has a long history as a wine producing state. Since the 1600s, vintners have maximized New York's unique climate and soil characteristics to produce an assortment of wines. New York State is home of U.S. bonded winery number one, Pleasant Valley Wine Company, located in Hammondsport, New York. It also lays claim to America's oldest continuously operating winery - Brotherhood Winery in the Hudson Valley.
The number of wineries in New York surged following the 1976 passage of the Farm Winery Act, which made it easier for small wineries to enter the business. Additional laws that support the wine industry combined with advances in cold-climate viticultural techniques have vaulted New York wines onto the world stage. Today, New York is the third largest wine producing state in the country. The number of wineries in the state jumped from 63 in 1985 to more than 212 today, and is expected to continue to grow.
New York is also home to many innovative, philanthropic food and beverage organizations. In 2002, four of these organizations came together with a common goal - to create a gateway for the people of New York and from around the world to experience New York's wine and food industries.
The four organizations are:
Constellation Brands - the largest wine company in the world. Headquartered in Fairport, NY, Constellation is also the largest beer importer in the United States and third largest distilled spirit company in the United States.
Wegmans Food Market Inc. - a leading regional supermarket chain recognized throughout the world for service and innovation. Wegmans has been ranked in FORTUNE magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For every year since the list began in 1998, including being #9 in 2004, #1 in 2005 and #2 in 2006.
Rochester Institute of Technology - an internationally recognized leader in professional and career-oriented education. RIT's School of Hospitality and Service Management is known for its skilled graduates who work around the world, many in the food, beverage and hospitality industries.
The New York Wine and Grape Foundation - a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and executing promotion and research programs that support the New York wine and grape industry. Created in 1985 by the New York State legislature, the Foundation has bolstered the agricultural and economic potential of one of the state's leading agri-businesses and tourist attractions.
After three years of research and planning, this vibrant partnership of corporate, academic and government organizations formed the non-profit New York Wine and Culinary Center to showcase and provide a gateway to New York's dynamic wine and food industries. The partnership hired Lord Cultural Resources Inc., a firm that consults with museums and cultural centers around the world, to help in the development of the Center.
Canandaigua New York was chosen as the ideal location for the Center. A small city perched on the north shore of Canandaigua Lake, it is a major tourist destination during the summer months. Canandaigua is known for its historical architecture, bustling main street and proximity to many farms and wineries.
Overlooking the City's picturesque pier, the new Center building is designed to be inviting and a stunning showcase for exhibitions, classes and eating and drinking experiences. The $7.5 million facility is supported, in part, by grants and contributions from agriculture, culinary and wine businesses as well as the state and federal governments.
New York Governor George E. Pataki led the groundbreaking for the New York Wine and Culinary Center building on August 10, 2005. The Center's grand opening was celebrated on June 17, 2006.
Like its founding partners, the Center promises to be an innovative and dynamic organization dedicated to serving people with the finest services and products possible.