Winemakers in New York Finger Lakes embrace sustainability amid climate change

Apnews - Apr 23rd, 2025
Open on Apnews

Scott Osborn, owner of Fox Run Vineyards in New York's Finger Lakes, now cautions against entering the wine industry due to increasing risks from climate change. Unpredictable weather patterns threaten grape harvests, further complicated by political tensions, such as tariffs from President Trump's trade wars and environmental policy rollbacks. Despite these challenges, many winegrowers, including Osborn, are adopting sustainable practices, like solar power and soil health initiatives, to adapt and contribute positively to global warming solutions.

The Finger Lakes, known for its wineries and distinct climate, faces unique challenges with early bud break due to warming temperatures, risking crop loss from unexpected frosts. This region's winemakers have developed competitive advantages by adapting to these fluctuations. However, the broader wine industry also contends with global weather impacts, such as France's record rains and the U.S. West Coast's wildfires. Sustainability efforts are crucial for the industry's longevity, especially amid U.S. policy changes that could reduce support for eco-friendly initiatives and impose financial strains through tariffs.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing the Finger Lakes wine industry, particularly focusing on climate change, economic pressures, and sustainability efforts. It effectively utilizes personal stories and expert opinions to convey the stakes involved. However, the story could benefit from more precise data and a broader range of perspectives to enhance its accuracy and balance. While the article is timely and addresses issues of public interest, its impact could be strengthened by exploring successful adaptation strategies and policy recommendations. Overall, the article is well-written and engaging, but additional context and data would improve its credibility and potential influence.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article provides a generally accurate depiction of the challenges facing the wine industry in New York's Finger Lakes region, focusing on climate change, economic pressures, and sustainability efforts. It accurately captures Scott Osborn's shift in perspective regarding the wine industry, aligning with broader concerns about climate change's impact on viticulture. However, the story could benefit from more precise data and citations, particularly regarding the extent of climate change impacts and the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives. Claims about tariffs and economic pressures are plausible but require specific economic data for full verification.

6
Balance

The article presents a range of perspectives from vineyard owners and industry experts, highlighting both the challenges and adaptive strategies employed by winemakers. However, it primarily focuses on the negative impacts of climate change and economic pressures, with less emphasis on potential positive developments or success stories within the industry. This could lead to a somewhat skewed perception of the situation, as not all vineyards may be equally affected. The story could be more balanced by including perspectives from vineyards that have successfully adapted to these challenges.

8
Clarity

The article is generally well-structured and written in clear, accessible language. It effectively communicates the complex issues facing the Finger Lakes wine industry, such as climate change and economic pressures. The use of direct quotes from vineyard owners and experts adds clarity and personalizes the narrative. However, the inclusion of technical terms or data without sufficient explanation may hinder understanding for readers unfamiliar with the wine industry or climate science.

8
Source quality

The article appears to rely on credible sources, including vineyard owners like Scott Osborn and industry experts such as Paul Brock. These individuals provide firsthand insights into the challenges and adaptations within the Finger Lakes wine industry. However, the story could enhance its credibility by incorporating data from scientific studies or industry reports to support claims about climate change impacts and economic pressures. The collaboration with the Rochester Institute of Technology and The Associated Press adds to the article's reliability.

7
Transparency

The article discloses its collaboration with the Rochester Institute of Technology and The Associated Press, providing some transparency regarding its sources and research methodology. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the data or studies underpinning its claims, particularly concerning climate change impacts and economic conditions. Greater transparency about the sources of specific information, such as statistics on wine consumption trends or the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives, would enhance the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/vineyards-ny-wine-country-push-sustainability-adapt-climate-121081989
  2. https://www.cornellsun.com/article/2025/02/how-winemakers-researchers-are-combating-climate-change-in-the-finger-lakes
  3. https://americanvineyardmagazine.com/climate-change-brings-challenges-opportunities-to-finger-lakes-wineries/
  4. https://newyorkagconnection.com/news/finger-lakes-winemakers-adapt-to-climate-change
  5. https://nysclimateimpacts.org/explore-the-assessment/case-studies/taking-a-proactive-approach/