Long Island Wine Country's HARVEST is back on August 23

Harvest East End is back for its fifth year, celebrating Long Island's bounty of the land, sea and vines. For the first time ever, Dan’s Papers, LLC joins the Long Island Wine Council to produce the bucolic food and wine event, newly re-titled Dan's Harvest East End. For those of you who have not attended this vinous and edible gala this is your chance. Get ready to sip wines from 50 vineyards who will pour more than 2,000 bottles of current release wines and barrel samples and to taste 30 top regional chefs dishes from the East End's local waters and farms. The event honors New York Times’ food writer Florence Fabricant and acclaimed Long Island restauranteur Tom Schaudel. And once again, the master of ceremonies is famed sommelier and wine expert Joshua Wesson. This will be my third year attending and I cannot wait to sip, nibble and mingle. You can read about my evening at last years 4th Annual Harvest East End here. Hope to see you there.

Event Details

HARVEST 2014 will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, at the McCall Vineyard and Ranch in Cutchogue. The event will benefit the Long Island Farm Bureau Promotion & Education Foundation and Peconic Land Trust

The Vin-IP Experience Early Access 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.; evening continues till 10 p.m.; $275 per person, $2,500 for a group of 10, or $3,000 for reserved seating for 10 and VIP signage Wine aficionados, collectors and connoisseurs can be not just VIPs but Vin-IPs at HARVEST. Come as individuals or a group and enjoy the Vin-IP space within The Festival Tasting which will include VIP seating. Enjoy an hour of private time with winemakers and chefs, a glass of sparkling wine upon arrival, premier parking and exclusive access to the Library Lounge, where older vintages and special selections of wine will be served. Vin-IP guests will also receive a special HARVEST gift bag and other perks. Click here to buy tickets.

The Festival Tasting (General Admission ticket level) 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.; $125 per person and at the door (if available). Join more than 40 local winemakers for current releases and barrel samples of their not-yet-released wines, and bid on large-format wines bottled just for HARVEST! Savor the locally sourced, seasonal dishes from more than 30 of the region’s finest chefs and food artisans. Click here to buy tickets.

HARVEST EAST END is a 501 (c)(3) charity and annual fundraiser organized by the Long Island Wine Council. This gracious event supports regional wine marketing efforts, and invests in the future of the region by giving to worthy charities that support and preserve our land and people now and for generations to come: Sponsorships may be tax-deductible, less the value of goods and services received. 

Harvest East End Cheers to 40 Years of Winemaking on Long Island

Long Island Wine Country had a lot to celebrate about. In fact, 1,300 enthusiasts of wine and food, including Governor Andrew Cuomo joyously gathered under a festive billowing tent to raise a glass and cheer for 40 years of winemaking at the 4th Annual Harvest East End at McCall Vineyard & Ranch in Cutchogue New York. The regions farms, fishermen, 34 local top chefs and 43 vintners showcased the bounty of the land, sea and vines. It was the first year that this vinous and edible gala was held on the North Fork of Long Island and how fitting considering two pioneers were honored for giving rise to one of the world’s most exciting viticultural and culinary destinations: Louisa Hargrave co-founder of Hargrave Vineyards (now known as Castello di Borghese Vineyard) for planting the first vitis vinifera grapes with her former husband Alex Hargrave, and John Ross, who established Ross’ North Fork restaurant that featured local wines and grown food that helped ignite the farm-to-table movement on the North Fork; all of which was 40 years ago.

Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo. Photography credit: Jessica Guadagno

“Put tourism together with the wine industry, and they can grow an entire region,” says Governor Cuomo. “And that’s what you’re seeing here on the North Fork of Long Island.”

The Master of Ceremonies was Joshua Wesson, a leading authority on wine and food pairing, the founder of Best Cellars and author of Williams-Sonoma Food & Wine—A New Look at Flavor that he signed for fans. Harvest was presented by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and organized by the Long Island Wine Council with support from Merliance, that benefited four important regional charities: East End Hospice, Group for the East End, the Peconic Land Trust and the Long Island Farm Bureau.

And to top it off Out East Foodie has come full circle—It was my first anniversary. Last year’s Harvest East End was my debut where I was introduced to the edible artisans of the East End: chefs, fishermen, farmers, cheesemakers, and vintners to name a few. I am humbled to be surrounded by the people of this region who are passionate and dedicated to their craft or cause. I have told the stories of a few over the course of the year, shared recipes that have been inspired by the bounty of the two forks and am honored to continue to do so. This fall our sustainable home Sheridan Green will be complete. It will be a place where like-minded stewards of the land and sea can come together to talk story, enjoy amazing food and drink and share inspiration in a great space.

A wine and food celebration

Guests were given their own personal wine glass that was attached to a lanyard like strap to put around your neck to ease the juggling dilemma between holding a wine glass and a plate of food; thank you Harvest East End for this welcomed convenience as balancing the glass, camera, plate of food, iPhone and purse is a social media hodgepodge. 

Beautifully designed wine labels by Bouquet Wines from Mattituck, New York

My husband Christopher enjoyed the wine tasting and particularly liked Mattebella Vineyards Old World Blend.

Coolfish Grill and Wine Bar served bay scallops mango ceviche; the mango was an unexpected twist.

Mirabelle at Three Village Inn served a unique Crème brûlée that was made with duck eggs, infused with vanilla bean and topped with a sprinkle of maple bacon crumble, simply fantastic.

A refreshing and delicious watermelon gazpacho that was garnished with a Koppert Cress micro shiso amongst a beautiful flower arrangement.

First and South restaurant may have topped their chocolate covered pork rinds from Dan's Taste of Two Forks. In an oyster shell they baked an edible cracker mocking the shell and placed the oyster, and a dollop of homemade horseradish and ketchup on top, brilliant.

The North Fork Table and Inn made a spicy marinated McCall Ranch Beef summer roll with wasabi aioli.  This tasted as beautiful as it looked.

Gourmet Sorbet by the Sorbabes: Top-strawberry rhubarb crumble (my favorite), Right-pistachio with sea salted caramel, Bottom-coconut chai with macaroons and Left-passionfruit lychee. All gluten-free and non-dairy made with seasonal ingredients.

Jewel restaurant by Tom Schaudel served a corn chowder with crab. The balance of this dish was singing the bounty of the two forks, was truly lovely.

A Taste of the North Fork made meatballs with cHarissa, hummus and cilantro. The meatballs had a Moroccan flare of interesting spices from the cHarissa, really tasty.

To continue with the meatball theme a Mano Osteria and Wine Bar made a veal meatball with a lobster bisque sauce. I was unsure about the veal and lobster combo, but it was a match made in heaven.

The heart of the billowing tent was lit up with colorful lanterns, as the VIP attendees sipped older vintages and special selections of East End wines presented by Empire Merchants. Although there was a white picket fence that separated the VIP's from the rest, we all had a few things in common, the love for wine and food in Long Island Wine Country.