Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D,I-Round Lake) announced that legislation she authored designating a portion of the state highway system in Saratoga and Washington counties as the “Upper Hudson Wine Trail” has been signed into law (Chapter 227 of 2017).

“Upstate New York has a rich history in the wine industry and communities in Saratoga and Washington counties are adding to it by establishing successful wineries and vineyards,” Woerner said. “The new trail will highlight our region’s natural resources, boosting tourism, family businesses and the local economy.”

New York State has seen more than $4.8 billion in annual economic benefits from the grape, grape juice and wine industry, with roughly 1,630 family vineyards and over 400 wineries producing 1.75 million bottles of wine. Each year, the wine industry generates $408 million in state and local taxes.

Woerner’s legislation is the latest in her ongoing effort to support the agricultural industry in upstate New York. In June of this year, her measure to reduce insurance costs for agritourism businesses passed the Assembly A.559-A.

“A thriving agricultural industry benefits the state’s farm and food industries, hundreds of local communities, and all of New York’s consumers,” Woerner added.