 
Assembly Resolution No. 241
 
BY: M. of A. Palmesano
 
        COMMEMORATING the 40th Anniversary of Hunt Country
        Vineyards
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
achievements  of  those  individuals  and  businesses  that   contribute
substantially  to  the  economic  vitality of their communities, thereby
enhancing economic well-being of the entire Empire State; and
 
  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Hunt Country Vineyards; and
 
  WHEREAS, Seeing an unprecedented growth over the past few years  and
allowing  wine  enthusiasts  to  enjoy  this unique part of the New York
experience across the state, Hunt Country Vineyards has truly  showcased
why New York State is a premier wine destination; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The Hunt Family has been farming on the west side of Keuka
Lake for seven generations; when Art and Joyce Hunt first moved back  to
the family farm in the 1970s, their intent was to live close to the land
and  run  a  farm  like the Hunt family had done for several generations
before; and
 
  WHEREAS, Furthermore, the decisions they made and the  circumstances
that  came  their  way,  would eventually lead them to open Hunt Country
Vineyards in 1981, and become one of the founding families of the Finger
Lakes Wine Region that we know and love today; and
 
  WHEREAS, In 1973, Art and Joyce Hunt moved back to the  family  farm
on  Keuka Lake to grow grapes, taking over from Art's elderly uncle; the
couple knew very little about running a farm, but they were  certain  of
where they wanted to be; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Art's  uncle  was  an excellent teacher, and Art and Joyce
Hunt learned how to care for 18 acres of grapes and  how  to  plant  and
grow  a  wide variety of grains, dry beans and hay crops; they started a
garden for themselves, with both vegetables and fruit,  and  learned  to
cut  down  trees  for  wood  and handle all of the old farm tools laying
around; Art even became quite adept at restoring old buildings  and  old
equipment; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Additionally, during this time, Art and Joyce Hunt planted
another 50 acres of grapes and began the art of winemaking; and
 
  WHEREAS, Establishing their winery in  1981,  Art  and  Joyce  Hunt,
along  with  several  other  family farms, learned the craft, pioneering
farming techniques and shaping legislation to  help  create  the  Finger
Lakes wine region that we know and love today; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Just  three years later, Art Hunt and Dr. Tom Zabadal from
Cornell University teamed up to perform the first successful  trials  of
field grafting grape vines in the Northeast United States; and
 
  WHEREAS,  In  1987, Hunt Country Vineyards made its first ice wines,
becoming the longest continuous producer of  genuine  ice  wine  in  the
United States; and
 
  WHEREAS,   Hunt   Country   Vineyards  installed  its  award-winning
geothermal heat exchange system to  heat  and  cool  all  of  its  large
buildings  in  2012;  in 2016, this extraordinary vineyard installed 349
solar panels to provide nearly all of the electricity used by  the  farm
and  winery,  and  in  2017,  it  grew  its first six acres of certified
organic grapes; and
 
  WHEREAS,  Over  its  distinguished  40-year  history,  Hunt  Country
Vineyards,  located  on  Italy  Hill  Road  in Branchport, New York, has
demonstrated continuous service to the residents and  communities  which
it serves; and
 
  WHEREAS,  The  success  of  Hunt  Country  Vineyards  is  in  direct
correlation to the efforts of its devoted staff, whose  involvement  is,
and  always  has  been,  characterized  by  an impressive commitment, an
unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard  of  excellence  in
all endeavors on behalf of the organization and the community it serves;
and
 
  WHEREAS,  It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  this Legislative Body
acknowledges this exceptional business, its contributions to  the  local
and  state  economies,  and its vibrant role in improving the quality of
life in its community, fully confident that it will  continue  to  enjoy
the  sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be
it
 
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  40th  Anniversary of Hunt Country Vineyards; and be it
further
 
  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Hunt Country Vineyards.
Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of Hunt Country Vineyards

What's Happening

Why It Matters
