Lenz Winery and Vineyards in Peconic on Nov. 1, 2002.

Lenz Winery and Vineyards in Peconic on Nov. 1, 2002. Credit: Newsday File / Karen Wiles Stabile

ALBANY - A renewed push by Gov. David A. Paterson to permit wine sales in supermarkets is drawing fire from wineries on Long Island and elsewhere.

In his 2010-11 budget, Paterson called for the expansion of wine sales to generate $93 million toward closing a $7.4-billion deficit. A similar proposal died last year, but gubernatorial aides said the new initiative addresses the concerns of small liquor retailers by allowing them to sell other products besides spirits.

Thirty-five states currently permit wine sales in grocery stores. Those in New York long have supported the idea, saying it would increase consumer choices.

Still, officials at Osprey's Dominion Vineyards and the Lenz Winery, both in Peconic, said Paterson's proposal would undermine winemakers and the stores that sell their vintages.

"It will mean the proliferation of cheap, discount wines from California, Australia, Chile, Argentina, etc. that would compete unfairly with our homegrown product," said Tom Morgan, sales manager at Lenz. The proposal "threatens the economic viability of more than 1,000 wine stores that can't compete for quantity discounts available to supermarket chains."

Scott Romond, Osprey's sales manager, agreed, saying being sold alongside beer would tarnish the image of wine. "This will be bad business for New York State wineries who have been making positive inroads in the wine industry with high-quality products," he said.

Budget director Robert Megna expressed hope lawmakers would take a second look at the initiative. He noted liquor stores would be permitted to sell nonalcoholic beverages, newspapers, food, tobacco and glassware. They could band together to receive volume discounts on wine purchases and grocers would be barred from selling wine for more hours per day than liquor stores.

The move raises money for state coffers through a franchise fee charged to supermarkets that sell wine.

Merchants appeared divided.

Paul Fernandez, owner of two grocery stores in Brooklyn and Manhattan, lauded the governor for addressing the concerns of small businesses. "It will help independent grocers. . . . It will be good for liquor store owners and farmers, too," he said.

But Stefan Kalogridis, president of the state Liquor Store Association, predicted a new round of closures. He said allowing liquor stores to sell potato chips and other snacks wouldn't level the playing field with deep-pocketed supermarket chains.

Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports. Credit: Ed Murray, Jonathan Singh

'I had to keep my mouth shut'  Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports. Credit: Ed Murray, Jonathan Singh

'I had to keep my mouth shut'  Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

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