A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) to support local vineyards and wineries by establishing a St. Lawrence County Wine Trail passed legislation in the Assembly.

The trail connects three wineries from Morristown to Winthrop and provides new opportunities for marketing and increased tourism, a statement from Russell said.

Her 116th District covers Massena, Ogdensburg, Louisville, Waddington, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Morristown and Hammond along the St. Lawrence River, and also the St. Lawrence County towns of Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb and DePeyster, plus northern Jefferson County, not including Watertown.

“New York’s wine industry has boomed over the past several years, and we want to make sure that people know that some of the best wines in the state are made right here in the North Country,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This bill puts these exceptional craftspeople literally on the map, drawing more customers and providing a vital economic boost as visitors spend time and money in our communities.”

St. Lawrence Wine Trail would start near Black Lake’s Bella Brooke Winery in Morristown, extending to Lisbon’s River Myst Winery and then to High Peaks Winery in Winthrop, enabling the companies to join together in marketing St. Lawrence County as a wine destination.

Bracketed between the 1000 Islands trail and the Adirondack Coast trail, St. Lawrence County wineries have not had the benefit of increased awareness and marketing that come with being located on a wine trail,” Russell noted. “This legislation provides an opportunity for them to grow their businesses and create jobs.”

Currently, there are 16 wine trails across New York State. Located in every region of the state, these trails have played a significant role in promoting New York as a major wine producing state, contributing to a 40 percent rise in the number of wineries since 2011, the release says.