Finger Lakes Wine Fest Gains Increasing Popularity

Watkins Glen, NY (July 27, 2004) - The Finger Lakes Wine Festival, supported by the Corning Museum of Glass ranks among the largest wine festivals in the northeast and has gained a lot attention from coast-to-coast. Conde Nast Traveler, The Toronto Star, Ladies Home Journal, Wine & Spirits and the Fine Living Network are among the larger media outlets that attended the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, held at Watkins Glen International, on July 16-18.

"Wine enthusiasts travel far and wide to our event each year to get a taste of the Finger Lakes, so it only makes sense that we have witnessed additional media attention. This year we had someone travel from as far as the U.S. Virgin Islands to attend our festival," stated Wendy Sutterby, Finger Lakes Wine Festival Director. Other publications that have shown interest and may feature the event include: WINE X of California, Tastes of New England, The Grapevine Magazine of Maryland, Long Island Wine Gazette, The Society for American Wines, and the Ohio Wine Buzz.

In 2004, the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, supported by The Corning Museum of Glass, hosted their largest crowd since the festival's inception in 1994. "We are in the event management business which gives us the expertise and the type of facility to be able continue to grow the festival," said Craig Rust, President of Watkins Glen International. Watkins Glen International is not a stranger to large crowds and hosts New York's largest weekend spectator event during The Sirius at The Glen, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series August 12-15. As the Festival grows, so does the area where it is hosted. "This year we increased one of the tasting tents by over 200 feet and added a new vendor courtyard," added Rust. Camping has also become more popular as the festival continues to grow.

The FLWF has shown a 5-15% visitor increase year over year, representing over 8 different states, as well as Canada. Since 1985 visitors to New York State wineries has multiplied nearly seven-times. Today, there are almost 200 wineries in New York State with close to 80 wineries in the Finger Lakes region. "We are excited about the success of the festival for two reasons," added Rust. "It not only contributes to the growing tourism industry of the Finger Lakes Wine Country by being the second largest tourist attraction, but also helps to establish an appreciation for the local wine." The wine of the Finger Lakes is the areas largest tourist attraction.

The Finger Lakes Wine Festival opened at its new home at Watkins Glen International, July 26, 1997, within an infrastructure accustomed to accommodating large crowds and the roar of engines. Once a year, the festival organizers transform the world-renowned road course into the site of one of the East Coast' s premier wine festivals. Red wine stains replace oil slicks, the smell of burning rubber is replaced with the delicate aroma of tannins and ripe fruit flavors. At the Festival, all of the main activities are indoors and out of the warm summer weather. The NASCAR Service Garage and the surrounding grounds are completely revamped to accommodate the Festival where large tents house wineries and vendors. A food court is nestled amongst the trees, and in the center of it all- The Corning Museum of Glass is displayed with their Hot Glass Road Show.

For 2005 Sponsorship or advertising opportunities please contact Wendy Sutterby at 607-535-2486 ext. 230.