Fewer drinkers, fewer Canadian tourists equal trouble for the Finger Lakes wine industry

By Evan Dawson,

Megan Mack, Julie Williams

Published April 30, 2026 at 2:55 PM EDT

Three men wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: a man at left has short dark hair and is wearing a navy hooded sweater; a man at center has short brown hair and is wearing a brown jacket over a light blue button-down shirt; a man at right has very short dark hair and is wearing a blue button-down shirt and blue jeans.

1 of 7 — Brian Durnin and Matt Cassavaugh with host Evan Dawson on "Connections"

Brian Durnin and Matt Cassavaugh with host Evan Dawson on "Connections with Evan Dawson" on Thursday, April 30, 2026

Gary Pudup / WXXI News

A man wearing a blue baseball cap sits at a counter in a restaurant.

2 of 7 — Chad Hendrickson

Chad Hendrickson

Provided

An aerial view shows many people gathered on a green lawn.

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An aerial view of Point of the Bluff Vineyards

Point of the Bluff Vineyards / Provided

Many people sit at a very long rectangular table eating dinner under the sky on the property of a vineyard.

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Dinner under the sky on the grounds of Point of the Bluff Vineyards

Point of the Bluff Vineyards / Provided

An Easter bunny hands out candy to children at an event at 20 Deep Winery.

5 of 7 — Easter at 20 Deep Winery.jpeg

An Easter event at 20 Deep Winery

20 Deep Winery / Provided

Several people play bocce ball on green grass,

6 of 7 — Bocce Ball at 20 Deep Winery.jpg

People play bocce ball at 20 Deep Winery

20 Deep Winery / Provided

Many women dressed in floral outfits sit at tables near a balloon arch.

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A bridal shower at 20 Deep Winery

20 Deep Winery / Provided

Wineries across the region are reacting to unexpected challenges.

From a decline in alcohol consumption to a recent drop in Canadian tourism, many companies are finding they need to shift their strategies for attracting and maintaining customers.

This hour, we talk with representatives from three local wineries about the state of their industry and creative solutions for mitigating revenue loss.

Our guests:

Brian Durnin, vice president of hospitality and entertainment at Point of the Bluff Vineyards
Matt Cassavaugh, winemaker at 20 Deep Winery
Chad Hendrickson, vice president of sales for Keuka Spring Vineyards