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New York Wines Industry Leadership Summit
January 15 @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm EST
Help change the trajectory of New York wines. Conversations, collaborations, & strategies to turn a down state for wine into an Up State.
The New York Wine & Grape Foundation will host the inaugural Leadership Summit: The Up State of Wine on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the New Yorker Hotel. This special gathering will bring together 50–100 winery owners, growers, marketers, distributors, policymakers, and allied professionals from across the state for an open, solutions-driven dialogue about the future of our industry.
The global wine industry is at a crossroads. Worldwide oversupply, shifting consumer preferences, and the rise of health-conscious drinking habits are reshaping markets faster than ever. In the U.S., total wine consumption has dropped 16% since 2019—the first demand-driven correction in decades. Younger consumers are drinking less but drinking better, seeking authenticity, sustainability, and experiences that reflect their values.
For New York, this moment represents both challenge and opportunity. The Leadership Summit is designed to help us respond with creativity, unity, and purpose.
Using the World Café method of conversation, we’ll identify shared priorities and build consensus around a 3- to 5-year framework for collective action.
Our discussions will center on three themes:
—Marketing: How can we attract and retain the next generation of wine enthusiasts?
—Tourism: How can we strengthen wine country’s small family businesses and regional economies?
—Public Policy: How can coordinated strategies between industry and government strengthen our long-term resilience?
Featured Speakers
—Christian Miller, Research Director, Wine Market Council
—Christina Pickard, Writer At-Large, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
—Master of Ceremonies: Wanda Mann, East Coast Editor, SOMM Journal
This is not a time for incremental change—it’s a time for leadership. We hope you’ll join us in New York City this January as we come together to shape a sustainable, profitable, and inclusive future for New York wines.
Registration deadline for the summit is January 9th.
