Memorial Day weekend is usually for parades, big barbecues, and maybe visiting a winery. But most of those are only open right now for bottle sales.


What You Need To Know


  • Wineries reopen under Phase 3 in New York

  • One winery plans to put up plexiglass, require masks, and limit capacity

  • With the warm weather finally here, winery owners expect business to pick up soon.

“Being able to be open for at least bottle sales and pickups it definitely helped and everybody is adjusting to the new normal now," said Mark Renodin, the owner of Six Mile Creek Winery.

Renodin's seats have been empty for two months.

“Our spirits are a little higher now, especially that we are getting a little closer to opening up," said Renodin.

Wineries will reopen under phase three of the governor’s plan. Much of the state is in phase one. So it could be at least another month before they will be pouring glasses.

“Like everything else that's still fluid, that date could change, it all just depends on cases and hospitalizations and everything," said Renodin.

That hasn’t stopped him from planning for what a summer opening will bring.

“Customers will still have to be masked until they get to their spot at the bar where they will be tasting," said Renodin.

Renodin also plans to put up clear plastic between the bartender and the customer.

“We’re looking at some online software that people can make the appointments, and they’ll be at 45-minute intervals so that we can. Between the appointments and the tastings, we’ll obviously be sanitizing the whole station where the customers were at," said Renodin.

Despite the changes, he believes people are excited to get outside, and business will pick up when his doors can fully reopen.