Tag: Carmella Barbagallo

It’s been a big week in Finger Lakes wine country.

Not only was the area named the top wine region in North America for the second year in a row, but two executives of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, headquartered in the Finger Lakes, were named to the Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemakers list.

The Finger Lakes region won the USAToday 10Best Reader’s Choice for best wine region, it was announced over the weekend.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award for a second year in a row. We were in the running with such impressive wine regions throughout North America,” said Carmela Barbagallo, executive director of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance. “This recognition speaks to the dedication of the owners, tasting room teams, winemakers and vineyard managers. We share this award with of our hospitality partners who create memorable experiences for guests visiting the Finger Lakes region. We have watched out our region evolve for decades and feel grateful that travelers from all over the world are enchanted when they visit.”

The second honor named Sam Filler, executive director, and Paul Brady, brand ambassador of the NYWGF, to its young tastemakers list. Filler has been executive director of the foundation since 2017. Brady, a sommelier familiar with the New York City wine scene, joined the foundation last year.

“It’s an honor to be named to this prestigious list of tastemakers who are all so wonderfully dedicated to their craft and profession,” Filler said. “It’s the perfect time to debut our new look, and show that we, as an organization and state, are boldly moving forward. We’re excited to share the incredible product and passion of our state’s wine and grape industry.”

At the same time, the foundation released its new logo and tag line, “Boldly, NY.” It replaces the Uncork New York! phrase and logo that has been in use for many years and is part of a rebranding upon which the foundation has embarked.

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