Unprecedented wine tasting experience unites the region’s robust local offerings of food, wine, and natural beauty, showcasing Long Island’s position as one of the East Coast’s premier tourism destinations
RIVERHEAD, NY, August 24, 2023—Long Island Wine Country hosted its 50th Anniversary Grand Celebration on August 19th on the East End of Long Island. The first of its kind for the region, the event gathered more than 750 wine enthusiasts, industry professionals, and media from across the tri-state area to taste wines from over 35 Long Island wineries and pair with bites prepared by over 20 top culinary talents from the area, demonstrating the region’s commitment to local, the high quality and diversity of wine styles, and the incredible food-friendly nature of these wines produced in a distinctively maritime climate.
Hosted at the scenic Peconic Bay Vineyards in the North Fork of Long Island AVA, the Grand Celebration gathered together winemakers, proprietors, winery staff, and founding members representing the region’s 57 distinct wine producers to commemorate the milestone: half a century of winemaking history, innovation, and award-winning wines. Special honoree Louisa Hargrave, who with her husband Alex planted the inaugural wine grapes in 1973, was joined by other esteemed industry pioneers and devoted winemakers who have passionately shaped the industry over the years.
“The Long Island wine industry would not be where it is today without the support of each other, our neighbors, and the community at large.” said Louisa Hargrave. “It was an emotional moment for me to be invited to join this celebration. The young winemakers, including my son, who joined together to raise a glass are the new force who will bring their own zeal, talent, and creativity to define the next 50 years of Long Island wine. We have come so far in the past five decades, and look forward to continuing to innovate and adapt well into the future.”
Guests at the event sampled over 135 wines—including rare library vintages, limited-edition magnums, top award winners from past years, and even the original Hargrave wines from the region’s first plantings—in a unique walk around tasting format, grouping wines by style. This move away from the classic arrangement of grouping by winery allowed for consumers and industry professionals alike to discover new producers and wines by following the styles they know and love. Food stations were strategically positioned throughout so that restaurants and purveyors matched local favorites to the specific wine styles, such as lobster rolls, freshly shucked raw oysters, and summer succotash alongside mineral-forward white wines, swordfish tacos and sustainably-farmed caviar with sparkling wines, or local grass-fed beef with robust reds—all providing a seamless food and wine pairing experience.
“Our aim was to showcase the various wine styles—from traditional method sparkling wine and pét-nats all the way to full-bodied red wines with remarkable structure, depth, and ageability—alongside the incredible foods cultivated on both the North and South Forks of Long Island, with dishes specially crafted to complement each wine style,” said
Kareem Massoud, Winemaker at Paumanok and Palmer Vineyards, and President of Long Island Wine Country. “This is Long Island’s unique selling proposition: a wide range of varieties, unique blends, and styles offer an opportunity for every palate.”
The tasting was complemented by Go Charity Wine Auction to help raise funds for collaborative initiatives dedicated to advancing viticulture, sustainable agriculture, and community relations, as well as various offerings and opportunities provided by event partners and sponsors.
Long Island Wine Country Looks to the Next 50 Years
The New York wine industry is responsible for $6.65 billion in direct economic activity annually, and Long Island itself generates about half a million cases of wine each year that are distributed domestically and internationally. The 50th Anniversary Grand Celebration was a tribute to the past and proven longevity of the industry as well as a nod to the vibrant present and promising future of the region’s thriving wine industry. Long Island’s wine producers continue to innovate, particularly in their commitment to sustainability. With cutting-edge vineyard practices and innovative winemaking techniques, Long Island is at the forefront of environmentally responsible winemaking supported through the Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing program.
To learn more about Long Island Wine Country, please visit liwines.com. To stay updated on upcoming news and events, follow via Instagram @liwinecountry, LinkedIn @LongIslandWineCountry, Facebook @LongIslandWine.
About Long Island Wine Country
Since 1973, Long Island wine growers have been dedicated to producing wines of the highest quality, providing environmental & community stewardship, and preserving this magical place that is our home. Our Mission is to inspire, sustain, and promote Long Island wine. For more information on Long Island Wine Country, please visit our website at: liwines.com or send us an email at info@liwines.com.
