Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association Presents 40th Annual Trophy
April 22nd – Gene Pierce has been immensely influential in the success of the Finger Lakes wine and tourism industries. Perhaps most notable for being a founding and managing partner of Glenora Wine Cellars from its inception in 1976 to the present, he guided its growth from the first winery on Seneca Lake to the 40,000 case winery, restaurant and 30 room inn that it is today.
Gene grew up on a farm outside of Dundee, New York where he assisted his father in planting grapevines in 1958. After graduating from Cornell University, he helped manage Spring Ledge Farms, growing fruits such as grapes and apples, helped with planting and management of other farms, and sold farm equipment and supplies.
In 1976 Gene, two other grapegrowers, and another businessman founded Glenora Wine Cellars. Gene was instrumental in the passage of the NY Farm Winery Act of 1976, which revolutionized the NY wine industry by allowing small wineries to sell direct to the public rather than using a distributor/wholesaler. At the time, there were about sixteen wineries in New York, with several being large, commercial wineries. At present there are well over 300 wineries in New York state. Before passage of the act, tourism in the area was driven by the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes. The wine industry and related activities make an enormous contribution to the economy while preserving this beauty.
Gene Pierce pioneered the commercial release of several Cornell hybrid grapes. His wineries were the first to release Cayuga White, Valvin Muscat, and Arundel. Glenora planted Chardonnay and Riesling in the 1970’s when they were “exotic.” Today, Glenora is a prominent and respected producer of sparkling wines as well as a full portfolio of varietal and fruit wines.
Gene and his partners eventually owned three commercial wineries, two restaurants, and the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars. As well as Glenora, they owned Knapp Winery, the first in the east to plant and release Siegerrebe, a German cross from the 1920’s; and Chateau Lafayette Reneau, increasing total production to around 80,000 cases among the three wineries. The latter two have recently been sold to new owners.
Gene’s impact on the Finger Lakes wine and tourism’s industries has been noted by Jim Tresize, former president of the NY Wine & Grape Foundation. Jim says Gene is “one of the most important people by far in the growth of the Finger Lakes wine country, which has exploded over the last 25 years.”
Gene has been active on the boards of many organizationsm starting with the local school board when he was in his twenties. He has been on the boards of local banks, as well as at Keuka College. He has received numerous awards over the years and is past Chairman of the Board of the NY Wine & Grape Foundation. He received the Phyllis Feder Unity Award from the Foundation, as well as numerous additional recognitions.
“I am delighted to present the Productivity Tray to my friend and colleague,” said Steve DiFrancesco. “Gene has been incredibly influential in the Finger Lakes wine industry, having been a grape grower, winery owner, restaurant and hotelier owner for most of his life.”
“I am honored to receive this award,” said Gene, “especially amongst the previous past recipients. It has been a privilege to contribute to this industry, and I have thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the Finger Lakes region gain well-deserved recognition.”
The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association’s Wine Grape Productivity Award is a Sheffield silver piece in the style of a classic champagne serving tray with a full border of bas-relief grape and vine patterns. The logo of the Vinifera Wine Growers Association, precursor to the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association, now incorporated into the ASWA’s logo, is engraved in the center of the tray. Past awardees include Anna Katharine Mansfield, Associate Professor of Enology at Cornell AgriTech; Thomas Costentino, Executive Director of the Garden State Winegrowers Association; Douglas P. Moorhead, Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Pennsylvania; Joy Ting, Jim Law, Kevin Atticks, Peter Bell and 30+ others since the award’s inception.
The Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association promotes American wine produced in the seventeen eastern states: all those that touch the Atlantic Ocean plus West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Vermont. This trade organization was founded in 1973 as the Vinifera Wine Growers Association, and renamed in 2008 to reflect an expanded regional focus. ASWA’s mission is to increase awareness of the fine wines of the Atlantic seaboard through trade and consumer education. Members liaise with national, state, and regional wine organizations to identify opportunities to highlight the wines and winemakers working here.
