St. Lawrence County’s “Wine Trail” has been officially recognized by the state, according to Sen. Patricia Ritchie and Assemblywoman Addie Russell, who sponsored the bill.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the bill Tuesday, according to both legislators.

“In recent years a significant number of new wineries have popped up across New York State—and that includes a number of new establishments that are right here in our backyard,” said Ritchie, a Republican from Heuvelton who represents the state’s 48th Senate District, covering roughly the western half of St. Lawrence County including Ogdensburg, Canton and Gouverneur, plus Jefferson and Oswego counties.

“Word is starting to spread that the North Country is producing some of the best wines in the state, and world,” said Russell, a Democrat from Theresa whose “River District” includes all St. Lawrence County towns along the St. Lawrence River (Massena, Ogdensburg, Louisville, Waddington, Lisbon, Oswegatchie, Morristown, and Hammond) plus the towns of Canton, Potsdam, Rossie, Macomb, and DePeyster, and northern Jefferson County not including Watertown.

“This new wine trail literally puts these businesses on the map and will benefit other small businesses as it attracts more visitors to our communities,” Russell said.

“The creation of the St. Lawrence Wine Trail is a chance for the North Country to capitalize on the fast-growing wine industry. By putting these local businesses on the map, we can boost tourism, create jobs, encourage more people to shop local as well as strengthen current wineries and encourage more new businesses to open,” said Ritchie.

Local winery owners are applauding the signing of the legislation, which they say will have a significant, positive impact on their bottom lines.

“As a winery owner in St. Lawrence County, located on Black Lake, I believe this legislation will provide a great boost to the tourism industry in our area,” said Larry Hollister, a co-owner of Bella-Brooke Vineyard.

The St. Lawrence Wine Trail starts near Black Lake’s Bella Brooke Winery in Hammond, 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. It stretches more than 80 miles, traveling along Black Lake, through Morristown, Ogdensburg, Canton, Potsdam, Stockholm and Brasher Falls. It links the existing wineries and a new craft brewery in Canton.

To view a map of the new wine trail, go to www.ritchie.nysenate.gov.

The St. Lawrence Wine Trail becomes the 17th wine trail in New York State.