History

10,000 BC

Humans arrive in New York after the last Ice Age

There have been people in the Great Lakes region and New York state for almost 12,000 years, who settled here after a mile-high sheet of ice retreated northwards.

1100

The Algonquin and Iroquois Nations take shape

Though people have been in what is today New York state for millennia, the tribes of the two main Indigenous Peoples, the Algonquin and the Iroquois, took shape over 1000 years ago.

The Algonquin Nation includes the Delaware in today’s NYC, The Montauk on Long Island, and The Mohicans in the Hudson River Valley; The Iroquois Six Nations of Tuscarora, Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk along Lake Erie, the Finger Lakes, and Lake Champlain. They have been, and continue to be, the traditional custodians of the land.

1647

Dutch settlers fail at viticulture

The first Dutch settlers in Manhattan planted vines from Europe. However, the vines succumbed to disease and the harsh winters and died.

1667

The French settlers fail at viticulture

French Huguenots, escaping the persecution from Louis the 14th, settled in the Hudson Valley, bringing French grape vines with them. Again, all of the European vines (Vitis vinifera) succumbed to disease or the climate, so the settlers cultivated the native grapes instead.

1827

First commercial winery in Hudson Valley planted at Croton Point

Richard Underhill established the first commercial winery and vineyard in Hudson Valley during the early 1800s, planting native grape varieties of Catawba and Isabella.

1829

First vineyard planted in the Finger Lakes

The town of Hammondsport on Lake Keuka saw the first vineyards planted in the Finger Lakes region.

1839

First vintage of Brotherhood Winery

Brotherhood Winery is the longest continuously running winery in America and today still produces wines. Originally called Washingtonville Winery, its name changed to Brotherhood in the 1870s.

1849

First vineyards in Niagara Escarpment established

1919

Prohibition begins, the wine industry almost ends

Of the 2500 wineries in the USA in 1919, only 100 made it through the 4 years of Prohibition.

1936

The Rise of Hybrids

Veuve Clicquot winemaker, Charles Fournier, introduces Hybrids (a crossing of a French and American vine species) to New York. This is a big deal because it brings a mixture of good qualities from Vitis vinifera (flavor, concentration) with the winter and disease hardiness of the native grapes.

1953

Plantings of Vitis vinifera

Dr. Konstantin Frank lays the groundwork for experimental plantings of French varieties, such as Riesling, in the Finger Lakes district.

1960s - 1970s

V. vinifera revolution

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyards, Hermann J. Weimer, and others, started producing quality wines, particularly Riesling, which drew international attention.

1973

First Vineyards on Long Island

The Hargrave family planted Vitis vinifera vines on Long Island, establishing the first winery there.

1980s

AVAs established in New York

The AVAs of the Hudson River Region, Finger Lakes, Lake Erie, The Hamptons, North Fork, Seneca Lake, and Cayuga Lake are all established.

2001-2005

The AVAs of Long Island and Niagara Escarpment are established

2012

Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing

New York became a trendsetter for sustainable winemaking in the U.S. by establishing the first sustainability program on the east coast.

2013

New York Wines Feature Presidential Inauguration

Merlot from Long Island and Dry Riesling from the Finger Lakes are served at Barack Obama’s inauguration.

2016-2018

The AVAs of Champlain Valley of New York and the Upper Hudson are established