NY craft distillers get organized

New York State wines have a growing image around the country, but there's another adult beverage movement that is gaining traction as well.

The recent creation of the New York Craft Distillers Guild is evidence of that. An even dozen licensed craft distillers and the interest of the New York Farm Bureau created enough of a critical mass for such a group, whose first meeting was organized by the Hudson Valley Agri-Business Development Corporation.

“We want to make the firm statement that spirits production in New York is an agricultural undertaking,” says Todd Erling, executive director of HVADC, “distillers use agricultural products, and craft distilleries have the potential to create new markets for New York-grown fruits and grain while also creating a new tax source for the state.”

Changes in the state’s Alcohol Beverage Control Law have made it possible in recent years for small distillers to develop and flourish. With 12 licensed craft distillers, New York now has the highest concentration of distilleries of any state east of the Mississippi, according to the Guild. The distilleries are:

• Castle Spirits (Monroe)
• Delaware Phoenix Distillery (Walton)
• Finger Lakes Distilling (Burdett)
• Harvest Spirits (Valatie)
• Hidden Marsh Distillery (Seneca Falls)
• Knapp Vineyards (Romulus)
• Lake Placid Spirits (Lake Placid)
• Long Island Spirits (Baiting Hollow)
• Spirits by Battistella (Ithaca)
• Swedish Hill Winery (Romulus)
• Tuthilltown Spirits (Gardiner)
• Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery (Warwick)

Some of the distilleries are part of winemaking operations while others are standalone businesses. As a group, they produce spirits ranging from fruit brandies to vodka, rum and bourbon.

The number of distillers in New York is expected to double over the next five years, creating significant economic value for the state.

Ralph Erenzo, owner of Tuthilltown Spirits, notes "A small distillery operating at the limit of production allowed by their license can generate up to $1 million in annual excise and sales taxes to the state, not including the multiplier effect."

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Vermont eases wine, spirits sales law

Vermont winemakers and distillers got good news Tuesday when Gov. Jim Douglas signed a bill allowing them to sell more products on-site.

Previously, wineries could offer tastings or sell bottles of wine. Distilleries could do neither.

Now, wineries also may sell glasses of wine on-premises, and distilleries can offer tastings and sell bottles of their spirits.

In addition, wineries will be allowed to sell and offer tastings of other winemakers' wares, rent their sites for events such as weddings, and produce and sell fortified wines such as ports.

Vermont's first winery was founded 25 years ago, and the state now is home to 20.

Ed Metcalfe, of Whitingham, told the Associated Press he was on the fence about opening a distillery in Vermont if he couldn't sell his vodka and specialty liquors on site. He said the new law cinched it for him, allowing him to sell and offer tastings at the distillery he plans in Marlboro.

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