Connecting New York State Wineries with the World

New York State's first wine tasting videoconference with the Czech Republic was held on May 16, 2005 at Cornell University's Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, NY. This event was organized by the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets, the Rochester and Buffalo Export Assistance Centers (Erin Cole and Sharon McKendry), U.S. Commercial Service Prague (SCO Richard Steffens and Senior Commercial Specialist Ed Zawadski) and the FAS Office of Agricultural Affairs in Prague.

This two-hour live telecast promoted six Upstate New York wineries to more than 40 potential buyers in the Czech Republic. The participating wineries were Dr. Konstantine Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars, Bully Hill Vineyards, Sheldrake Point Vineyards, Anthony Road Wine Company, Merritt Estate Winery and Arbor Hill Grapery. Each winery had the opportunity to present their wines while buyers in Prague sampled the wines. The telecast allowed wineries and buyers to react and converse following each tasting.

Nathan L. Rudgers, Commissioner of New York State's Department of Agriculture & Markets, launched the event in Geneva when it went "Live from New York". Quintin Gray, Regional Agricultural Counselor, Office of Agricultural Affairs, U.S. Embassy Vienna, provided opening remarks and acted as host in Prague. Ambassador William J. Cabaniss also provided opening remarks in Prague and participated in several of the wine tastings. Jim Trezize, President of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, gave a presentation on the New York wine industry.

This event is an example of a successful Commercial Service partnership between FAS and the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets.

If you are interested in using our videoconferncing services to "meet" overseas customers, please call the Buffalo Export Assistance Center at 716-551-4191.