J2207-2011 Actions

• Jun 7, 2011: ADOPTED
• Jun 7, 2011: REPORTED TO CALENDAR FOR CONSIDERATION
• Jun 2, 2011: REFERRED TO FINANCE

J2207-2011 Text

 LEGISLATIVE  RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the John
 son Estate Winery
 WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body  to  commemorate  the
 long  histories  of  certain  family  business  endeavors, which are the
 cornerstone of economic success in this great Empire State; and
 WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its  long
 standing  traditions,  this  Legislative Body is justly proud to commem
 orate the 100th Anniversary of the Johnson Estate Winery; and
 WHEREAS, In 1911, Frederick W. Johnson purchased a farm in  Westfield,
 New  York,  from the family of William Peacock, who settled there in the
 early 1800s; the main crops grown on the farm, then known as  Sunnyslope
 Vineyards,  were  apples,  cherries  and  peaches; some grapes were also
 grown on the property; and
 WHEREAS, Sunnyslope Vineyards featured an ammonia-powered  cold  apple
 storage  facility  which  allowed  the  fruit to be stored at 42 degrees
 throughout the year, providing a competitive advantage that allowed  the
 farm success through the years of the Great Depression; and
 WHEREAS,  In  1960,  Frederick  S. Johnson purchased the farm from his
 father and removed its fruit trees and most of the Concord grapes on the
 property, replacing them with French-American hybrid grapes  and  native
 Ives  and Delaware grape varieties; the Johnson Estate Winery officially
 began wine production in 1961; and
 WHEREAS, Estate wineries are  specialized  wine-making  operations  in
 which  all  parts of the winemaking process are undertaken on a winery's
 property; this allows wine-makers precise control  over  all  facets  of
 harvesting  and  processing,  and protects the grapes from damage during
 transport; and
 WHEREAS, Operating continuously  for  50  years,  the  Johnson  Estate
 Winery is the oldest estate winery in New York State; and
 WHEREAS,  In 1997, the third generation Fred Johnson assumed operation
 of the family farm and winery; the  vineyard  acreage  has  expanded  to
 nearly  120  acres, with several varieties of grapes chosen specifically
 for the land and the climate of the Johnson Estate Winery; and
 WHEREAS, Dedicated to producing wines of superior quality, the Johnson
 Estate Winery's head winemaker has traveled  to  Germany  to  learn  top
 techniques  in the field, and will continue educational trips to further
 enhance the quality of the Winery's offerings; and
 WHEREAS, The Johnson Estate Winery has been renovated and expanded  to
 include a finished good warehouse and a winery tasting room; the Johnson
 family  was  careful  to  preserve  original  portions  of the building,
 including wood windows, simple moldings and century-old barn beams while
 adding modern touches, including stainless-steel jacketed tanks for wine
 storage; and
 WHEREAS, The Johnson Estate Winery  has  received  numerous  Gold  and
 Double Gold awards for its wines in international competitions; and
 WHEREAS,  It is the custom of this Legislative Body to publicly recog
 nize and honor milestones in the history of  small  businesses  in  this
 great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
 RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative  Body pause in its deliberations to
 commemorate the 100th Anniversary of  the  Johnson  Estate  Winery,  100
 years  of  business  in  agriculture and 50 years as a winery; and be it
 further
 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran
 smitted to the Johnson Estate Winery.

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