Interest?

[Thomas]

WC, yes distribution is a problem for New York, and the rest of the East, not to mention Ontario, Canada. But distribution problems do not seem to hinder wine pros from touting small properties in Oregon or even Texas: the NY Times once did a piece on American Chardonnays -- covered Idaho but not New York.
As for whites -- no challenge. Reds are another story.
I often get turned off by Long Island's vegetation in the wines, but that problem is fading. Here in the Finger Lakes, some of us are watching carefully Cabernet Franc. We all know what that grape is capable of in the Loire -- it is a fine red grape for cool Finger Lakes climate.
I liken the Northeast of Itlay -- Friuli, Alto Adige -- to Northeastern US wines. And, I guess, since in each case they are primarily great food wines, with minimal wood interference, which of course is part of why many wine gurus can't understand them. It is more fun, and perhaps more profitable, to wax over wood than over table wine.