The Press Deck
News from the New York Wine & Grape Foundation
July 24th, 2019
Field Notes...
From Charles Massoud, Owner of Paumanok Vineyards
Dear Friends,
Sustainable viticulture is being talked about quite a bit recently. Since we practice it, we feel it may be is useful to present it in detail. 

We live in an age when it is very common that we judge by hearsay, slogans, and such categories, without really taking the time to investigate for greater understanding. And yet there is an important element that drives this movement and it is the belief that organic viticulture is somewhat purer and less toxic. So, when I tell them in my reply that we chose not to practice organic viticulture at Paumanok of course they are surprised. And then I ask, "Why do we choose not to follow the organic protocols?" The answer is precisely what people think organic viticulture provides them, and that is less toxicity. We chose not to practice organic viticulture because we want to be less toxic and organic viticulture, in our environment, which would require that we use copper, is more toxic. It is worth repeating. 

If the vines must be treated with pesticides, we want to use the least toxic pesticides. This is because we live on our farm and I do not want my family and especially my grandchildren to be exposed to unnecessary toxicity. Because we also have workers who work in the vineyards and because we have neighbors who border our vineyards. We want the least toxic pesticides whether they are considered "conventional" or " organic". So, the discussion should be about toxicity, whether organic, conventional or biodynamic, since all these methods use pesticides.

It is now several decades since Rachel Carson wrote the Silent Spring, illustrating among other things how DDT decimated animal life as it was a very potent and broad-spectrum insecticide that accumulated in the environment and did not break down easily. It was an awakening about how humanity blindly was trusting industry. That was followed shortly after by finding out that smoking cigarettes caused cancer. And the world increasingly started doubting science. Thankfully and as a result the EPA was created in America and most industrial countries took similar action. Today pesticide production and use are highly regulated. And a premium is placed on low risk low toxicity pesticides.
( Read the full version of the Field Notes here .)
Cheers,

Charles Massoud, Owner of Paumanok Vineyards
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Industry News...
Vote Finger Lakes as USA's ‘Best Wine Region’
State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today urged area residents to keep voting every day for the Finger Lakes in USA Today’s 10 Best online competitions to decide America’s “Best Wine Region” and “Best Wine Festival.” Read more...
Tim Martinson Receives Outstanding Achievement Award
Dr. Timothy Martinson's award was presented at the opening session of the ASEV-Eastern Section conference on July 16th. For ten years, Martinson’s focus was on the development of the VineBalance sustainable viticulture program and the production of The New York Guide to Sustainable Viticulture Practices Grower Self-assessment Workbook. Read more...
Designing Packaging That Moves and Speaks
Good product packaging can be interactive even if it never moves or speaks. Done well, it can move the consumer and speak to them in ways that compel them to buy.   Read more...
20th Canberra International Riesling Challenge
Entries for the  20th Canberra International Riesling Challenge   close on July 31, 2019 . Don’t forget to enter- we would hate you to miss out. The Canberra International Riesling Challenge is the largest Riesling event (and single varietal wine show) in the Southern Hemisphere. In 2018 we judged a record 567 Rieslings from six countries which makes this one of the largest Riesling events in the world. We are planning to make our 20 th  Challenge an even bigger success.This year, the international judges are: Chair of Judges Cameron Douglas MS (New Zealand), Anne Krebiehl MW (UK) and Fongyee Walker MW (China). Our national judges are a mix of winemakers, wine writers and wine educators - all of them passionate about Riesling.
Member Corner: News, Benefits & Events...
Enter Your Wines in the 2020 London Wine Competition
The London Wine Competition is now into its 3rd year and have really made its global benchmark. London Wine Competition is organized by Beverage Trade Network, global platform connecting the wine trade. Being part of the Beverage Trade Network carries a number of significant benefits. It acknowledges the profile of the wine in the eyes of trade especially promoting your brand to the importers and distributors globally.
Register for the LISW Sustainable Wine Professional Course
Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing (LISW) is excited to announce the release of an online training course for winery tasting room, sales and hospitality staff – the Sustainable Wine Professional course! The goal of this course is to provide winery staff with a greater understanding of sustainable winegrowing so that the value of sustainable farming can be communicated to consumers, trade and media. To save 20% off, New York Wine and Grape Foundation Members can email Julie Hosbach to receive a discount code! Register here.
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Attend the NYS IPM Program Annual Meeting in August
You are invited to join in the battle against the Spotted Lanternfly Invasion by getting the latest information at the NYS IPM Conference on Spotted Lanternfly on August 15, 2019.  Experts in spotted lanternfly research, regulation and extension will be on hand to give an update from their experiences with Spotted Lanternfly on the front lines within the quarantine zones of Southeast Pennsylvania. Representatives from the NYS IPM Program, Cornell University, NYS Department of Ag & Markets, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) will be on also be on hand to let you know what is being done to keep Spotted Lanternfly from becoming established into NYS. Cost is $50 which includes a catered lunch and breaks.  Register here.
18th Annual Federweisser Festival at Anthony Road
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2019 NY State Vineyard Survey Final Reminder
This survey is being conducted by Cornell University’s Survey Research Institute (SRI) on behalf of the NY Wine & Grape Foundation and the New York grape industry. A hard copy of the survey should arrive by email and be mailed to you shortly as well. If you have any questions about filling out the survey, or if you didn't receive it, you can contact the SRI at 607-255-3786 or surveyresearch@cornell.edu and they can assist you. Responding to this survey is completely voluntary. However, your cooperation is very important to the accuracy of the report. The amount of time to complete the survey will depend on the size of your vineyard operation, but should not take a significant amount of time for most growers. The survey will remain open until August 1, 2019. Please know that all data received through this survey will be kept confidential by the SRI. Data will only be published after it is aggregated, and no personally identifiable information will be made public.