Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that more of the state’s best food and drink products will be available every weekend of the 2014 meet at Saratoga Race Course.
Now taking place each Thursday, Friday and Sunday in the Saratoga Pavilion, Taste NY will focus on New York State wine, spirits, craft beer, cider, and artisan food.
“New York is home to a wide variety of world-class food and beverages producers, and by showcasing their tremendous products at the Saratoga Race Course every week we are helping to raise the profiles of small businesses from all across the state,” Cuomo said. “This is shaping up to be another exciting season in Saratoga, and I encourage everyone who attends the races to taste what they’ve been missing from New York’s best growers and producers.”
“This is a great opportunity to promote new local products at a major event during the summer,” said Saratoga Springs Mayor Joanne Yepsen. “With thousands in attendance every day I am eager to partner with the Governor to promote locally produced and grown products. This is an economic priority and enhances the vitality of this region.”
Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors Paul Sausville said, “Agriculture is of the three most important sectors of Saratoga County’s economy. We have a variety of niche producers here, many of which will be featured at the Race Course this summer. Agriculture dovetails with another important sector – tourism. ”
The new series featuring wine and spirits on Thursdays and craft beer and cider tastings on Fridays is an expansion of Taste NY at Saratoga Race Course, which launched in 2013 with a lively artisan market on Sundays. The Thursday and Friday tastings will feature a rotating selection of New York State wineries and breweries; while the Sunday marketplace will be comprised of up to 19 regular vendors.
New York Racing Association CEO and President Chris Kay said, “As one of the leading suppliers of agricultural products in the nation, New York has a proud history of producing quality, locally-made wine, beer and food. We are thrilled to welcome these outstanding wineries, breweries and food producers to Saratoga Race Course in partnership with the New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets. Our goal is to increase tourism by highlighting the many fabulous food and beverage products that are made in New York state.
“We are confident that Governor Cuomo’s newly expanded Taste NY series will increase awareness of New York products, entice new visitors to Saratoga Race Course and enhance the experience for our dedicated guests.”
Thursdays will center on New York State wines and spirits, and will offer track patrons the opportunity to sample varietals of wine from a number of wineries across the state for $30 from noon to 4 p.m. Patrons will also be able to purchase bottles of wine from each participating winery through their representatives on track each week. Participating wineries include: Adirondack Winery of Lake George, Amazing Grace Vineyard and Winery of Chazy, Heron Hill Winery of Hammondsport, Hudson-Chatham Winery of Ghent, Lakeland Winery of Syracuse, Ledge Rock Hill Winery and Vineyard of Corinth, Miles Wine Cellars of Seneca Lake, the Saratoga Winery of Saratoga Springs, Swedish Hill Winery of Saratoga Springs, Thirsty Owl of Saratoga Springs, Thousand Island Winery of Alexandria Bay and Vesco Ridge Vineyards of West Chazy.
On Fridays, patrons will be invited to a craft beer and cider tasting from noon to 4 p.m. featuring more than a dozen New York craft breweries. Admission is $20 and includes 20 sampling tickets.
Breweries include: Adirondack Brewery of Lake George, Brooklyn Brewery of the New York City Metro area, Brown’s Brewing Co. of Troy, Empire Brewing Co. of Syracuse and Lake Placid Brewery of Lake Placid, Olde Saratoga Brewing Co. of Saratoga Springs.
The summer meet at Saratoga Race Course begins on Friday, July 18 and concludes on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. For more information about Saratoga Race Course, call 584-6200 or log onto www.nyra.com.