Second Annual 'Harvest': A Celebration Of Wine And More

In an effort to commemorate the East End as an emerging wine region, “Harvest: Wine Auction and Celebration of Long Island’s East End,” was created last year.

According to event director Donnell Brown, Harvest is the brainchild of renowned winemaker Roman Roth, the event’s chair, who thought an event of this caliber would put Long Island on the map as a bona fide wine producing region.

“It really is a gracious, beautiful event showing that Long Island has world-class wines, not just picnic wines, but really serious wine-lover wines,” Ms. Brown said during a phone interview last Tuesday.

This year, the second annual Harvest festival will be presented by Food & Wine magazine and will begin with an array of more than 20 wine salons to be held on Saturdays, September 3, 10 and 17 at different vineyards all across the East End.

From pairing wines with shellfish to an exploration of Long Island’s last 10 vintages, the salons will offer expert-level information to those interested in learning more about the wide world of wines.

“The wine salons are a great, low-cost way to experience the region, meet the winemakers and other folks who really put their passion into making this region what it is,” Ms. Brown said.

At the heart of Harvest is the “Moon Gala and Live Auction of Long Island Wine,” to be held on Saturday, September 17, at the Ludlow Farm in Bridgehampton. The auction will feature a variety of items, including a range of vintages, varietals and bottle formats.

According to Ms. Brown, one of the main goals behind the event is to raise money for three regional charities—the Group for the East End, Peconic Land Trust and East End Hospice.

“Group for the East End and Peconic Land Trust support and protect our environment,” she said. “And with wine making being a generational business, raising money for Hospice is a way we can honor generations of people who have helped build this region and preserve their dignity as they pass.”

Orchestrating the meal portion of the evening will be three very capable and talented chefs, according to Ms. Brown.

The first course will be arranged by William Holden of West End Cafe (located in Carle Place, New York) and Noah Schwartz of Greenport-based Noah’s will be in charge of the dessert course. Tom Schaudel, he owns A Mano in Mattituck and A Lure in Southold, will be responsible for the entrée. He said he agreed to take on the challenge because of his love for the East End.

“Essentially, I’ve been out here my whole life,” he said during a phone interview last Tuesday. “And now I’m doing my part to promote the area and help out as much as I can.”

Mr. Schaudel said he isn’t sure of the official menu yet, but that it will definitely involve striped bass.

“I’m not sure of the accompaniment yet,” he said. “I’m waiting to hear from the farms to find out what is at its peak at that time.”

According to Mr. Schaudel, all of the great wine-producing regions of the world have these kind of events and that’s why it is important that Long Island does too.

“We aren’t late to the party because we are a growing industry,” he said. “But we’ve definitely turned a corner. And of course, the food is a nice garnish to the wines of the region.”

He added that local winemakers have made milestone strides and that the quality of East End wines have been incredible.

For yet another food and wine experience, festival participants can attend an exclusive “10-mile Dinner,” which will feature seven vintner dinners at private East End locations. There will be only 10 tickets available for each.

“I think one of the between-the-lines messages of this event is that not only do we have world-class wines, we also have the bounty of the sea and the farms,” Ms. Brown said. “We are surrounded by all the ingredients for a really great food and wine destination. It really proves that what grows together, goes together. And everything tastes great together out here.”

Being backed by Food & Wine magazine this year is a huge deal to everyone involved, according to Ms. Brown.

“They are such a positive addition to the event,” she said. “They are kind of like the friend in your kitchen. If Food & Wine recommends it, it must be good.”

She reported that another exciting feature of this year’s Harvest will be the unveiling of the 2010 vintage barrel samples.

“These are the most outstanding Long Island vintages probably ever,” Ms. Brown said. “They were developed perfectly in every way from the levels of rainfall to the amount of heat. We made some really beautiful wines last year.”

Ms. Brown added that the vintages won’t be available for purchase for at least another three years, which is what makes the sampling that much more special. She added that she has only one regret when it comes to this year’s Harvest.

“I sometimes wish I wasn’t the event director so I could enjoy everything as a participant,” she said, laughing. “But I am so looking forward to seeing the second year of this wonderful event unfold.”

For a full schedule of events for the second annual “Harvest: Wine Auction and Celebration of Long Island’s East End,” visit harvesteastend.com.