HARVEST

Bushels-Full of Thanks!

HARVEST — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:46:16 +0000

Carla Hall and husband Matthew Lyons at HARVEST (Photo: Richard Lewin)

Thanks for a great HARVEST 2011! This year’s event may be over, but the memories are as aglow as fall’s changing leaves. With…

More than 250 people enjoying Wine Salon programs at wineries across the region
65 lucky diners attending intimate 10-Mile Dinners at gorgeous private homes
More than 500 people sipping and savoring local flavors at the Festival Tasting, including Top Chef alum Carla Hall of ABC’s forthcoming show, “The Chew,” and Mets star Keith Hernandez
400 friends and neighbors enjoying a farm-to-table dinner and live auction at the Harvest Moon Gala
$31,000 raised at auction (check out the lots and results for each) for our charity partners–East End Hospice, Group for the East End and the Peconic Land Trust…

HARVEST 2011 adds up to a bountiful success.

Keith Hernandez, Renee Gilmore and Roman Roth (Photo: Richard Lewin)

On behalf of organizers, the Long Island Merlot Alliance and Long Island Wine Council, we are grateful to all who made HARVEST happen: our generous event sponsors and live and silent auction donors, skilled winemakers, talented chefs, committed event committee, gracious 10-Mile Dinner hosts, terrific mistress of ceremonies (WNPR’s Faith Middleton) and auctioneer (Christie’s Charles Antin), and nearly 100 outstanding volunteers. HARVEST was a moment in time when the seeds of community spirit flower. In the beautiful words of neighbor Ralph DiGennaro on his blog, Through a Glass Smartly:

“Long Island wine–especially tastings of the astonishing 2010 vintage–and local food created and served by some of the East End’s most notable chefs were the star attractions, but it was the gathering itself that brought smiles to the huge crowds in attendance. The sense of community and cohesion wrought by…Harvest East End events is easily the best thing that has ever been created for a wine and food community growing by leaps and bounds despite a sluggish economy and consumers still worried about their future. But none of this really mattered on this weekend–this was a time to rejoice, share gossip and laughter, learn about all things wine and food and just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.”

HARVEST is Here!

HARVEST — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:34:09 +0000

Event Chair Roman Roth

Today, the wineries, chefs, farmers and food artisans of Long Island Wine Country celebrate our wine-and-food bounty at HARVEST: Wine Auction and Celebration of Long Island’s East End! Join us!

Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. So come sip world-class wine, savor the flavors of the season, bid on fantastic silent auction prizes, including HARVEST Art, and win fabulous wine and experience lots in tonight’s live auction. Remember, all live auction proceeds benefit East End Hospice, Group for the East End and the Peconic Land Trust. It’s a great day of food and wine for great causes!

THE FESTIVAL TASTING
Saturday, September 17, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

HARVEST MOON GALA + LIVE AUCTION OF LONG ISLAND WINES
Saturday, September 17, 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Both events take place at the Ludlow Farm: Home of Mecox Bay Dairy and Fairview Farm
37 Horsemill Lane, Mecox Bay, Bridgehampton

A Saturday of Salons, Part 2

HARVEST — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:12:38 +0000

Oysters at Jamesport Vineyards

The second Saturday of Wine Salon programs unfolded on September 10 under another gorgeous blue sky. Attendees…

Sampled wine-grapes in the experimental vineyard at Cornell’s Long Island Horticultural Center
Tasted Cabernet Francs from around the world at Clovis Point
Savored Wolffer and other rosés by the bay at B.Smith
Tried Long Island merlot in all its forms–sparkling, still and sweet–at Grand Cru Classes
Heard from East End experts in biodynamics and sustainable growing practices at Shinn Estate Vineyards
Paired shellfish and wine (and even learned to open oysters) at Jamesport Vineyards (repeating again next Saturday)
Assessed the aroma profile of Long Island wines at Palmer Vineyards and more.
Panelists at Shinn's Wine Salon, "Biodynamics, Organic Practices and Sustainability"

The Wine Salon continues on Saturday, September 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations across the region–including Hotel Indigo, where our special Salon, “The Riedel Challenge: Does the Glass Make a Difference” takes place. Get your tickets today!

Frank talk about Cabernet Franc at Clovis Point

Live Auction Lots Revealed!

HARVEST — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:46:24 +0000

Twelve tempting lots will be on offer at the Harvest Moon Gala and Live Auction of Long Island Wines, and they have all been officially unveiled!

Might you win the six-winery Long Island Merlot Alliance dinner at the International Culinary Center (home of the legendary French Culinary Institute) in Soho? The make-your-own-custom-wine experience (shown here) from Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard? Or dinner by (and with) Top Chef Tom Colicchio and winemaker/chef David Page at Shinn Estate Vineyards and Farmhouse?

Click through to find out what’s in store for your bidding pleasure the evening of September 17. Absentee bidding is available, too!

A Saturday of Salons

HARVEST — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 21:06:00 +0000

"Shellfish and Wine" at Jamesport Vineyards; Repeating 9/10 and 9/17

Under a beautiful blue sky, five HARVEST Wine Salon programs took place across the East End on Labor Day Saturday (September 3), recorded here in photos. Many thanks to our speakers and guests–it was a great day!

Be a part of the Wine Salon on Saturday, September 10 or 17! Take a look at the schedule, plan your itinerary (programs start every 30 minutes) and buy your tickets now!

"It Was a Very Good Year: Long Island's Last 10 Vintages" at Borghese; Repeating 9/10

"Women of the Vine" at Gramercy Vineyards

The (Un)Labor Day: Wine Salons, Sept. 3

HARVEST — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:08:51 +0000

What’s the best way to relax on Labor Day weekend? At a Wine Salon program (or two), of course! Go behind the scenes and meet East End experts at any of the five Salon programs scheduled for Labor Day Saturday, September 3. Choose to…

Hear from women in agriculture, aquaculture and viticulture at the beautiful Gramercy Vineyards (shown at right), which isn’t normally open to the public.
Or join three iconic North Fork chefs for a toothsome panel discussion at Martha Clara Vineyards, whose 2010 Estate Reserve Riesling just won best wine in New York State!

Check out the Wine Salon schedule for September 3 below. And view the complete Wine Salon schedule, including Saturdays, September 3, 10 and 17, here. Tickets are just $25 per person! Click here to purchase!

Saturday, September 3
10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.	Women of the Vine: Vintners, Farmers and Other Pioneers of Taste Farming has traditionally been considered a man’s work. Meet some of the women on the East End who are changing that—and making a name for themselves and for women everywhere—in agricultural pursuits. Moderator: Brian Halweil (Edible) Speakers: Carol Sullivan (Gramercy Vineyards), Jeri Woodhouse (A Taste of the North Fork), Melanie Douglass (Noank Aquaculture Cooperative), and Kelly Urbanik (Macari Vineyards) Location: Gramercy Vineyards, Mattituck (Please note: “Women of the Vine” is a registered trademark owned by Women of the Vine, LLC and is not affiliated with or a sponsor of HARVEST 2011, the Long Island Wine Council or the Long Island Merlot Alliance.)
10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.	“It Was a Very Good Year…” Exploring Long Island’s Last 10 Vintages Eileen Duffy (Edible East End and DWS) leads an entertaining, informative and tasty taste down memory lane. Join her at Castello di Borghese, Long Island’s first-planted vineyard, to swirl, sip and swap stories about the vintages of the last decade, 2001 to 2010, and learn what wines of which vintages to snag for your cellar. Speaker: Eileen Duffy, DWS Location: Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery, Cutchogue
11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.	Roman History, in Six Vintages Roman Roth focused his The Grapes of Roth red portfolio on Merlot wines out of his total belief in the great quality that Long Island wines can achieve with this varietal. Since then, his wines have earned some of Long Island’s highest ratings. Taste through all six vintages of these special wines and learn how a boutique wine brand can come of age, just like the wines it produces. Speaker: Roman Roth Location: The American Hotel, Sag Harbor
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.	From Sea to Shore: Pairing Shellfish and Wine Join Jamesport Vineyards’ owner and winemaker Ron Goerler, Jr., for a tasting of Long Island clams, oysters and scallops paired with Jamesport’s award-winning wines. With shellfish from different local waters, explore how the concept of terroir applies to our aquaculture as well as viticulture. (Note: The shellfish are served raw.) Speaker: Ron Goerler Location: Jamesport Vineyards, Jamesport
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.	Cuisine of the North Fork: Then and Now The North Fork of Long Island is amassing stature as a culinary destination. But local wine and fresh seafood and produce have been available menu components for decades. What has changed? Martha Clara winemaker and general manager Juan Micieli-Martinez leads a panel discussion with three legendary chefs, representing three dimensions of the North Fork food scene. Get a taste (literally and figuratively) for eating on the East End, then and now. Moderator: Juan Micieli-Martinez Speakers: John Ross (North Fork Country Club, formerly Ross’s Restaurant), Tom Schaudel (A Lure, A Mano, Jewel, Coolfish), Keith Luce (Jedediah Hawkins Inn) Location: Martha Clara Vineyards, Mattituck

View and Bid on HARVEST Art

HARVEST — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:38:06 +0000

The HARVEST Art Label by Connie Fox

Our regionally and nationally known HARVEST Artists have completed their “labels” for auction at HARVEST, and the beauty and diversity of these small, original works is breathtaking! See all 24 pieces online, or better yet, come to the Fall for Long Island Festival Tasting and see them in person! Tickets to the tasting are just $125 per person–buy yours today!

Can’t wait to place your bid? Bid now! Simply download the HARVEST Art Bid form, complete and return it no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, September 16. You could be the proud winner of a one-of-a-kind addition to your art–and wine–collection!

Taste the Future at HARVEST

HARVEST — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:43:40 +0000

Historic. Magical. The vintage of the century. These are common descriptors of 2010, a picture-perfect year for growing grapes on Long Island. Spring showers gave way to a long, hot summer whose sunshine and high temperatures resulted in some of the highest sugar levels our region’s grapes have ever achieved–and that’s good news for great wine. Want a preview of the wines of this exceptional vintage? Come to HARVEST!

At the Festival Tasting on Saturday, September 17, Long Island winemakers will be pouring their 2010 barrel samples. Ticket-holders for the Festival Tasting and Harvest Moon Gala (entry to the Tasting is included with Gala tickets) can swirl, sniff and sip these wines years before they’re released. It’s a particular perk of participation in this wine-focused event. So get your tickets and taste the future at HARVEST!

HARVEST Artist to be Honored at ArtHamptons

HARVEST — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 00:40:40 +0000

Mary Abbott, Flying Point Beach, Water Mill, 1959. Photo: John Jonas Gruen

Congratulations to Mary Abbott, one of 25 HARVEST Artists, for the Lifetime Achievement Award she will receive this weekend at ArtHamptons. She is being honored as a pioneer of the New York School of the American Abstract Expressionist movement. And she is creating a new work, just for HARVEST!

Ms. Abbott has kindly agreed to create one of our “labels,” small paintings (roughly 5.5″ x 8.5″) that will be lightly affixed to magnum bottles of Merliance and offered in a silent auction at the Fall for Long Island Festival Tasting on Saturday, September 17. Her original painting for this event is sure to be a collector’s item! Secure your ticket to the Festival Tasting today so you can bid–or perhaps BUY–this one-of-a-kind Mary Abbott piece at HARVEST!

Remember, 25 “labels” from 25 regionally and nationally known artists will be on offer at HARVEST–see the complete list here. Whose work will you take home?

Harvest your HARVEST Tickets!

HARVEST — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 04:00:53 +0000

What’s the best way to secure your seats at HARVEST this September? Buy them today! Tickets may now be purchased online for the Wine Salon, 10-Mile Dinners, Fall for Long Island Festival Tasting and Harvest Moon Gala and Live Auction of Long Island Wine.

How it works:

Click through to the tickets page for an overview of tickets and prices.
Or if you’re ready to purchase now, click here to connect to our ticketing partner, CharityHappenings.org, to secure your tickets right away.

On behalf of HARVEST organizers the Long Island Merlot Alliance and Long Island Wine Council, auction beneficiaries East End Hospice, Group for the East End and the Peconic Land Trust, and the wineries and chefs, sponsors and advertisers who make the event possible, thanks in advance for being a part of HARVEST!