West NY News

Chautauqua County, NY – A new marketing effort, the "Chautauqua County Grape & Grain Trail," is launching this week. This initiative focuses on the county's craft beverage and wine producers while also promoting ecotourism opportunities.

The project is a collaboration between the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth (CCPEG) and the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB). It aims to highlight local wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries, alongside outdoor activities and nature attractions in the area.

"We want to brand Chautauqua County as a destination for not only wine enthusiasts but also for those who enjoy beer and distilled spirits," said Mark Geise, Deputy County Executive for Economic Development and Co-chair of the CCPEG Advisory Board. He added that the campaign seeks to distinguish the county by emphasizing its trail networks, waterways, public spaces for recreation, and ecotourism amenities.

The campaign's landing page at TourChautauqua.com/field-to-glass lists various businesses producing and serving wine, craft beer, and spirits. It also links to pages on the CCVB website where visitors can explore ecotourism-friendly adventures in Chautauqua County. The Grape & Grain Trail will be promoted on social media platforms including Instagram, Meta, and Snapchat.

"This marketing initiative is an important collaborative effort," said Andrew Nixon, CCVB director. "The campaign is designed to drive additional visitation to our county’s wineries, breweries, and distilleries while extending visitor stays and increasing visitor spending throughout the region."

Kristy Kathman, CCPEG economic development specialist, stated that "the campaign creatively aims to showcase the natural beauty of Chautauqua County while highlighting the region's vibrant craft beverage producers." She emphasized that their goal is to celebrate local brews' rich flavors along with picturesque landscapes and various ecotourism destinations.

Developed by Paperkite—a marketing firm from Cooperstown—following an RFP process that attracted interest from over a dozen agencies during early 2024. The campaign was based on research involving interviews and visits with businesses connected to this effort.

The project receives support from a Market New York grant from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Matching funds are provided by the Chautauqua Region Economic Development Corporation.

About CCPEG: The Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth serves as a central entity coordinating resources for advancing economic prosperity efforts in Chautauqua County. It focuses on forming quality jobs and improving life quality through key projects. More information can be found at CHQPartnership.org.