The New York Wine & Culinary Center Announces Recipients of Second Annual New York State of Mind, Eat, Drink, Grow and Love Awards
Canandaigua, NY—November 7, 2014 —The New York Wine & Culinary Center (NYWCC), dedicated to educating, engaging, and exciting New Yorkers and the world about New York State produced wine, beer, spirits, and agriculture, has announced the recipients of its second annual New York State of Mind Awards.
The awards will be presented Saturday, November 22nd, at the NYWCC’s annual New York State of Mind Celebration. It is an exciting time to celebrate New York's bounty, amidst the recent news that Wine Enthusiast Magazine selected New York as 2015 Wine Region of the Year. Open to the public, tickets for the fundraising event are on sale now at nywcc.com.
“We received a tremendous response to our call for nominations this year – almost three times the amount of last year,” said Tom Wahl, Jr., Chairman of the NYWCC Philanthropic Advisory Board and NYWCC Board member. “It was not an easy task to choose from so many talented and innovative nominees, so this year we decided to honor the winner in each category, along with two runners-up. All demonstrated passion and creativity for promoting New York's bounty. These awards help us shine a brighter light on all of the hard working people who are bringing the best to consumers. We applaud their efforts, wish them continued success, and encourage others to support all those who celebrate New York.”
2014 NYWCC New York State of Mind Award Winners
This year's Awards include the Chairman's Award, DRINK NY, EAT NY, GROW NY, and LOVE NY.
Each recipient will be presented with a unique handmade piece of glass donated by renowned New York glass artist Robin Lehman. Lehman’s works are in museums all across the US. In addition to being a glass artist, Lehman is a composer, painter and two-time Academy award-winning documentary filmmaker.
Chairman’s Award - honoring an individual or organization that has shown extraordinary resolve and persistence in promoting NY State products through innovative selling and marketing
Recipient: Jim Trezise, New York Wine & Grape Foundation
Jim Trezise is the President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) (newyorkwines.org), a private, not-for-profit organization which sponsors research and conducts promotion programs in support of New York grapes, grape juice, and wine. The Foundation's research and promotion programs have received international recognition, most recently earning New York State the title of 2015 "Wine Region of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Jim joined the NYWGF at its creation in 1985, and has been involved with the industry since 1982. He is widely recognized for his leadership in the broader American wine industry, having received six national awards or other recognition for his many contributions, including the "Grand Award" of the Society of Wine Educators in 2014. Jim is actively involved with several national and international organizations focusing on key issues affecting the grape and wine industry worldwide, including: Founder and President of the International Riesling Foundation, Presidential Council of FIVS (International Federation of Wines & Spirits based in Paris), and serves on the boards of the National Grape & Wine Initiative, Wine Market Council, and the New York Wine & Culinary Center. We celebrate Jim and all he does to elevate New York wines to the rest of the world!
EAT NY Award - for best restaurateur or chef
Winner: Brown Hound Bistro, South Bristol NY
Located between Canandaigua and Naples, the Brown Hound Bistro (brownhoundbistro.com) offers brunch, dinner, catering, private parties, wine dinners and more... all with a focus on local foods and wines. The Culinary Team, composed of owner Trish Aser, Chef Grayson Czarnecki, Director of Catering Lizzi Clearman and a dedicated support crew, combines a wealth of skill, creativity, and passion to bring to your table a unique and artfully prepared menu. They strive to reflect the quality and freshness that local producers provide, with a menu that is prepared with simply the best ingredients they can find! The restaurant is located at 6459 State Route 64 South Bristol, NY 14512.
- EAT NY Runners Up: The Marshal, New York NY (the-marshal.com) & Lento Restaurant, Rochester NY (lentorestaurant.com)
DRINK NY Award - for best New York winery, brewery, cidery or distillery
Winner: Abandon Brewing, Penn Yan NY
A geothermal powered craft brewery overlooking Keuka Lake, Abandon Brewing Co. operates in a reused farmhouse where visitors can enjoy tastings in the taproom, a pint in the beer hall or on the deck overlooking the grapes, apples, and hops of Abandon Acres. They are intent on providing the finest hand crafted beers – whether it's a traditional Belgian, a true-to-tradition seasonal specialty, cutting edge concoction, or an ale with locally-sourced ingredients, they look forward to pouring you the perfect pint every time. As a New York State Farm Brewery and an operating fruit farm, they understand and appreciate the efforts that go into growing the core ingredients that go into their beers. Locally grown hops, barley, fruits, herbs, or honey to name a few will be found across their entire beer offering. You can find them at 2994 Merritt Hill Road Penn Yan, NY 14527.
- DRINK NY Runners Up: Black Button Distilling, Rochester NY (blackbuttondistilling.com) & Casa Larga Winery, Fairport NY (casalarga.com)
GROW NY Award - for New York best grower
Winner: Bostrom Farms, Stanley NY
In operation since 1989, Bostrom Farms (bostromfarms.com) shares your passion for family and healthy living. Owned by the Wickham Family, they understand that health and well-being is what drives consumer choices. They work hard to provide healthy, nutritious, tasty options by providing the highest quality, select cuts of meat. Bostrom Farms is "bringing back the Butcher Shop" with their all-natural, farm-raised pork, using sustainable practices that benefit consumers and the environment. They are passionate about New York State and all the region has to offer, supplying several local restaurants with pork products. The farm is located at 2200 State Route 5&20 Stanley, NY 14561
- GROW NY Runners Up: The Good Food Collective, Rochester NY (thegoodfoodcollective.com) & Weathertop Farm & Hopyard, Palmyra NY (315-597-6080)
LOVE NY Award - for best New York tourism organization
Winner: Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance
Founded in 1919, Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance (fingerlakes.org) is recognized as one of the oldest destination marketing organizations in the United States. They are an association of private-sector attractions, tourism-related businesses, and county tourism offices working together to enhance and promote visitor businesses for the 14 county, 9,000 square-mile Finger Lakes region of New York State. Working with hundreds of tourism-related businesses in the region, the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance goal is to work together collaboratively to market and promote the diverse offerings that the region has to offer in an effort to draw visitors to the region. Their mission is to lead economic growth and development through exemplary promotion of the Finger Lakes region as a world class tourism destination. Their vision is to be the recognized leader for destination marketing strategies and resources in the Finger Lakes region. Their office is located at 309 Lake St. Penn Yan, NY 14527
- LOVE NY Runners Up: Michael Welch, Publisher Edible Finger Lakes, Ithaca NY (ediblefingerlakes.com) & Finger Lakes Visitors Connection, Canandaigua NY (visitfingerlakes.com)
NYWCC NY State of Mind Awards & Celebration Event Tickets
· November 22, 2014
· 6:30-9:30PM
· NYWCC, Sands Gallery, 800 South Main Street, Canandaigua, New York 14424
· Tickets: $150 per person - Buy tickets online at: http://www.nywcc.com/node/1010
· For more information call 585.394.7070
The New York Wine & Culinary Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2006 to educate visitors while showcasing New York’s dynamic agriculture, wine and food industries. The Center’s state-of-the-art facility overlooking Canandaigua features a Hands-On Kitchen, Educational Theater, Tasting Room, Private Dining Room, culinary boutique, and the local-fare restaurant, Upstairs Bistro. Daily activities, events, and classes surround the Center’s mission to educate, engage, and excite. To learn more about the New York Wine & Culinary Center, please call 585-394-7070 or visit www.nywcc.com <http://www.nywcc.com>.
