GROWTH ON THE VINE

By WBNG News

Story Created: Jan 29, 2010 at 5:11 PM EST

Story Updated: Jan 29, 2010 at 6:11 PM EST

Romulus, NY (WBNG Binghamton) A foreign tariff is drying up sales in New York's wine country.

Action News reporter Reed Buterbaugh explains how a steep tax is preventing local wineries from cashing in from Canadian clientele.
The quality of New York's wine continues to improve.
Wine makers have adjusted their crops to meet the colder climate.
"Generally a cooler growing season, longer, slower ripening that's good for flavor enhancement on certain fruity, white varieties," said Shawn Kline, Vineyard Manager for Thirsty Owl.
Tourism is booming as Upstate New York is building a reputation as the premier wine source in the Northeast.
"The Finger Lakes is a wine destination. It's been growing every year significantly," said Cameron Hosmer, Owner of Hosmer Winery.
Wineries like the Hosmer in Romulus are hampered. Despite the fact they're close to so many metropolitan areas, New York, Philadelphia and Boston. They're losing out on the markets of Toronto and Greater Ontario.
"So they're pretty much saddled to buying three bottles of wine and that's about it," said Hosmer. "Otherwise the tariff is just prohibitive."
"So if you buy a twenty dollar bottle of wine let's say in Schuyler County and you drive back to Canada," said (D) Senator Charles Schumer. "They'll charge you another twenty dollars as a tariff."
The Senator is putting pressure on the Canadian government to repeal the tax. Saying the duty on American wines is illegal. Because it violates the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Read the full story >>