Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/197178
stay for the night or the weekend, spreading their good cheer and dollars throughout the community. Creating this model of success is a two-way tango, a partnership between the wineries and various facets of the local community. The intricate steps along the way can be challenging – there will be plenty of wrong moves and stepping on toes – but the rewards are worth it all around. "Tourism is the lifeblood of the New York wine industry, which in turn is a major generator of tourism to many of New York's rural areas," read a recent posting in the New York Wine and Grape Foundation online newsletter. It went on to suggest that a good many of the state's 300-plus wineries "probably would not exist without the direct sales opportunity that tourism provides. And without the more than 5 million tourist visits attracted by the wineries each year, many bed and breakfasts hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and limo/bus companies would not be here." NATURAL ADVANTAGES To be fair, Long Island is blessed with countless natural advantages, most notably its proximity to the great metropolis of Manhattan, plus a stupendous seaside setting Long Island's beautiful seaside setting is a major part of the region's attraction. Photo: Katharine Schroeder and beach attractions. But even with these plusses the successful escalation in wine tourism is not only relatively recent, but far surpasses the aspirations of the region's wine pioneers. "When I started Paumanok Vineyards 30 years ago, we had no idea all this would happen," Massoud said. "There were hardly any restaurants here, and now we're a food destination specializing in fresh fish, local wine and local food. The old truck farms with their pota- toes and cauliflower have been replaced by designer food. You can now buy 48 different kinds of heirloom tomatoes at our farm stands!" The transition did not happen overnight, of course, nor is it possible to pinpoint exactly when the region shifted from experimental viticulture and startup winemaking to renowned wine destination. But one thing for sure is that the wineries didn't get there on their own. One of the pivotal opportunities came when the influx of top chefs Large or Small...to us you are just right! Local Bank. Local Lenders. www.exchangebank.com 707.524.3000 w w w. v w m m e d i a.com We have a wide variety of loan products available for a business your size N ov - D ec 2013 | V INE YA RD & W INE RY M A NA G EM EN T 113