If you’re into local wine and food, you’d probably already heard of the annual Harvest East End celebration. But this year, the event’s fourth, was particularly memorable.
Not only was it the very first time Harvest took place on the North Fork, it year also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the founding of Long Island Wine Country.
More than 1,200 food and wine lovers attended the 3 1/2 hour tasting at McCall Wines in Cutchogue on Aug. 24. The event recognized the growth of a region now noted for its distinctive selection of food and wine, while also giving back to four nonprofit organizations dedicated to ensuring its remains fruitful: Group for the East End, Peconic Land Trust, East End Hospice and the Long Island Farm Bureau.
Guests each carried a personal wine glass as they walked around the event, previously hosted on the South Fork, to sample selections from 43 local wineries that collectively offer more than 200 varieties of still, sparking and dessert wines. Accompanying the wine was cuisine from 34 local food purveyors — giving guests the ultimate sampling experience.
Perhaps Gov. Andrew Cuomo summed it up best as he spoke during the event.: “Put tourism together with the wine industry, and they can grow an entire region,” he said. “And that’s what you’re seeing here on the North Fork of Long Island.”
Editor’s note: Check back every day until Dec. 28 to follow along with our top Northforker events of 2013.
