A Founded By NYC Experience
Oldest Vines, New York Bubbles & Chocolate
When people think of New York, very few think of wine.
Wine historians widely recognize the Hudson Valley as America’s oldest wine region. French Huguenot settlers planted the first documented vineyards near New Paltz around 1677 almost a full century before the Declaration of Independence. The valley is also home to Brotherhood Winery, founded in 1839 and considered the oldest continuously operating winery in the United States. By the 1800s, New York City itself had become one of the country’s most important wine import hubs, bringingEuropean wines into American life.
That legacy is still growing. The New York Wine & Grape Foundation reports that the state’s wine industry generates over $6.65 billion in annual economic impact, and New York ranks as the third-largest wine-producing state in the nation.
New York also has a special sparkling wine history. True Champagne comes only from the Champagne region of France. But U.S. labeling rules long treated “Champagne” as a semi-generic name, so historic American wineries could sell “New York Champagne” as long as the wine’s real origin appeared on the label. A 2006 U.S. EU wine agreement ended the practice for new labels, grandfathering in only long-established brands. That twist makes New York’s sparkling story different, interesting, and worth remembering.
Today, AYZA Wine & Chocolate Bar brings this story to life in Midtown Manhattan through wine, chocolate, and hospitality. As part of the Founded By NYC and America 250 celebration, AYZA invites guests to discover a lesser-known side of New York: its role in American wine history. Every glass tells a story. Every pairing celebrates a piece of New York heritage.
Every glass tells a story. Every pairing celebrates a piece of New York heritage.
The Tastings
AYZA's Founded By NYC / America 250 Experience
Celebrate New York’s rich wine heritage with one of our specially curated tasting experiences.
- The signature flight
A comprehensive journey through New York’s finest terroirs, featuring four distinct expressions curated for the connoisseur.
- Light & bright
- Smooth & balanced
A taste of New York's culinary culture.
Our chocolate experience reflects New York City’s rich culinary culture. Some of our chocolates are handcrafted in-house at Ayza, while others are created by Jacques Torres — “Mr. Chocolate” — New York City’s legendary master chocolatier.
Torres established the city’s first artisan bean-to-bar chocolate factory in DUMBO, Brooklyn, and has become one of New York’s most iconic names in chocolate. Every wine and chocolate pairing on this page is built around that craft.
Wine and chocolate pairing is harder than it looks: both contain tannins, and a very dry red against very dark chocolate can clash into bitterness. The craft lies in matching intensity and sweetness lighter chocolates with lighter wines, bolder chocolates with fuller-bodied or slightly sweet pours. That principle shapes every pairing on this page.
Planning Your Visit During NYC's Anniversary Year
Ayza sits at 11 West 31st Street in Midtown Manhattan a short walk from the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, and Herald Square. That location makes an America 250 NYC wine tasting the perfect first or last stop of an anniversary evening, a show, or a game. Book ahead through Resy; anniversary-year weekends fill quickly.
Want to go deeper? Ayza also hosts sommelier-led wine tasting events featuring New York State wines, and the full cocktail and wine list runs more than 2,100 labels.
