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Niagara Wine Trail announces new executive director

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2022 at 8:27 am

Bryan DeGraw of 810 Meadworks in Medina picked to serve as vice chairman

LOCKPORT— The Niagara Wine Trail has announced a new executive director and the team of officers on the board of directors.

Bryan DeGraw, owner of 810 Meadworks in Medina, is vice chairman of the organization that includes 14 members in Niagara, Orleans and Monroe counties.

Susan Swiatkowski

DeGraw and his wife LaRissa opened 810 Meadworks in downtown Medina on Nov. 30, 2014. They make mead products and have a tasting room. The DeGraws also have run a concert series at the “beegarten” in the back of the building at 113 West Center St.

Susan Swiatkowski is the new executive director of the Niagara Wine Trail. She has previously served in management with Destination Niagara USA, Old Falls Street USA, the Hard Rock Cafe and the Downtown Niagara Falls Business Association.

As executive director, she provides leadership and support in planning and administration of the 14-member Niagara Wine Trail, which includes three locations in Orleans County. She also will organize wine trail experiences, fundraising and events, public relations and marketing efforts, and manage relationships with partner businesses.

The Niagara Wine Trail officers include Shane Gustafson, chairman and owner of A Gust of Sun Winery & Vineyard, in Ransomville; DeGraw, vice chairman ond owner of 810 Meadworks; and Danielle Neglia, secretary and owner of Long Cliff Vineyard & Winery in Sanborn.

The Niagara Wine Trail will celebrate its 20th anniversary in May. The organization comprises 14 member wineries, situated between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario.

File photo by Tom Rivers: Bryan DeGraw is pictured in the tasting room of 810 Meadworks at 113 West Center St., Medina.

Each winery on the trail offers a diverse selection of traditional vinifera style, native, late harvest and ice wines, as well as unique styles such as award-winning fruit wines, meads and ciders. Its mission is to “work cooperatively to enhance the wine industry in the region” through an array of intimately authentic and charming guest experiences, the Wine Trail stated.

The wineries of the Niagara Wine Trail, USA, include:

  • 810 Meadworks at 113 West Center St., Medina
  • A Gust of Sun Winery at 4515 Baer Rd., Ransomville
  • Bella Rose Vineyard & Winery at 1243 Ridge Rd., Lewiston
  • Black Willow Winery at 5565 W Lake Rd., Burt
  • Honeymoon Trail Winery at 4120 Ridge Rd., Cambria
  • Leonard Oakes Estate Winery at 10609 Ridge Rd., Medina
  • Long Cliff Vineyard & Winery at 3617 Lower Mountain Rd., Sanborn
  • Mayer’s Lake Ontario Winery at 1593 Hamlin Parma Town Line Rd., Hilton
  • Niagara Landing Wine Cellars at 4434 Van Dusen Rd., Lockport
  • Schulze Vineyards & Winery at 2090 Coomer Rd., Burt
  • Schwenk Wine Cellars at 1456 Bills Rd., Kent
  • The Winery at Marjim Manor at 7171 E. Lake Rd., Appleton
  • Victorianbourg Wine Estate at 4402 East Lake Rd., Wilson
  • Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms at 3724 Quaker Rd., Gasport