New York’s Wine and Grape Industry Celebrated as Grape Day Returns to The Great New York State Fair

New York Wine and Grape Foundation to Host Seminar Spotlighting 2026 New York Wine Classic Award Winners

On Thursday, August 27, the Great New York State Fair will celebrate the return of Grape Day with new events and high-quality grape products that will be sampled and sold on the Fairgrounds. Grape Day will include fun-filled activities to educate fairgoers about the State's superfruit and to promote New York's wine and grape industry.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "Grape Day is a great time to enjoy some of the best New York-grown products that the State has to offer. From the many varieties used to make our world-class wines to the distinct flavor of concord grapes used in jams, candies, and baked goods, grapes are big business in New York State, and we look forward to educating fairgoers about the importance of our industry. I encourage our guests to stop by the Tasting Yard and our Taste NY Marketplace in the Horticulture Building as we celebrate the return of Grape Day here at the Great New York State Fair."

Fair Director Julie LaFave said, "Grape Day is a great opportunity to recognize the hard work of our grape growers, winemakers, and processors who make a wide variety of delicious products. We are thrilled to bring this beloved day back to our regularly scheduled programming to put the industry on display at the Fair and highlight their many contributions to our state's agricultural industry."

Sam Filler, Executive Director of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, said, "Grape Day represents something bigger than a single harvest or vintage - it's a celebration of the people and communities built around New York wine and grapes. This is our chance to show fairgoers the incredible range and quality of wines coming out of every region of New York - from the cool-climate Finger Lakes to the maritime vineyards of Long Island, from the bluffs of Lake Erie to the terraced hills of the Niagara Escarpment, to the historic vineyards of the Hudson Valley - and from Concord grapes to Cabernet Franc, from Riesling to Chardonnay. When fairgoers taste our wines and learn our stories, they become advocates for the growers, winemakers, and producers who embody what makes New York agriculture distinctive."

The New York State Tasting Yard, located in the Horticulture Building, will once again host a series of free, interactive sessions for fairgoers interested in learning about New York's craft beverage industry. On Grape Day, the New York Wine and Grape Foundation will take up residency in the Seminar Room next to the Tasting Yard to host their seminar, "Explore New York Through Its Award-Winning Wines." Fairgoers will discover the quality and diversity of wines produced across New York State, learn about the state's distinctive wine regions, grape varieties, and winemaking traditions, and have the opportunity to sample award-winning selections from the 2026 New York Wine Classic, the annual competition celebrating the very best of New York wine. The free seminar will be offered at 11:00 am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm on Thursday, August 27.

Additionally, in the Horticulture Building, the Taste NY Vendor Marketplace will feature products from Colloca Estate Winery and Welch's, and the Taste NY Pop Up Market will showcase the delicious grape-flavored products from Arbor Hill. From award winning wines to syrups, jellies and jams, candy, and more, there will be lots of opportunities to taste some of New York's finest grape products.

About the New York Wine Classic

The New York Wine Classic, organized by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, is one of the most respected wine competitions in the country, highlighting the impressive range of wines produced across the state's distinct American Viticultural Areas. The competition recognizes the skilled winemakers, passionate growers, and regional diversity that continue to comprise New York's wine industry and their unique varietals. The 2026 competition was held on August 10, and awarded Ryan William Vineyard from the Finger Lakes the prestigious Governor's Cup for their 2025 Pinot Blanc. A full list of Best in Class and medal winners is available here.

New York is the third largest grape producer and the third largest wine producer in the country. According to the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, these growers generate a $6.65 billion economic impact for New York State. There are over 500 wineries in New York, growing a variety of grapes on 35,000 acres.

About The Great New York State Fair

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 26, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. All concerts are included in the price of admission. Tickets are on sale now at The Fair's website, nysfair.ny.gov. Packed with value, a single admission ticket costs $8 and includes access to all grounds entertainment and The Fair's award-winning concert lineup. In addition, a Frequent Fairgoer ticket option is available for $25.

The Fair continues to be one of the most affordable fairs in the nation, with admission remaining free for those aged 65 and older along with children 12 years old and under.

Founded in 1841, The Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state's CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about The Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

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