Decline and development in the finger lakes wine region of New York state

Abstract

Changing wine preferences by American consumers are producing significant changes in the Finger Lakes viticultural area of New York State. Decline, as measured by grape acreage and number of growers, has been widespread since the mid‐1970s, especially within the traditional core area around Keuka and Canandaigua Lakes, where sweet and fortified wines made from native American grapes have been the long time staples of large corporate producers. At the same time, many new small wineries specialising in the production of drier‐style table wines made from vinifera and French‐American hybrid vines have come into existence around Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. Image problems, coupled with small volume output and limited financial resources, however, make their futures uncertain.