Long Island Food Critic

Corks were popped and glasses were raised as the Long Island Wine Council gathered the best and brightest winemakers of the East End for their annual celebration of wine, food, and burgeoning local business. Taking the role of the event's first-ever host is celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, celebrated for being an Iron Chef, a judge on Chopped and as co-host of The Kitchen, as well as for his cookbook "My Perfect Pantry," his restaurant The Lambs Club, his role as Culinary Director for The Plaza and as chef/partner of The National NYC (with Greenwich, CT and DC on the horizon).

More than 40 wineries and 30 restaurants & purveyors convened under a tent at the beautiful McCall Vineyards and Ranch where upwards of 1,500 people attended. Attendees got a chance to sample barrel tastings of yet-to-be-bottled 2014 red wines and bid on silent auction items including large format bottles, special vintages and one-of-a-kind wine tasting experiences.

This year's event honored three-times James Beard Ward nominated chef Guy Reuge of Restaurant Mirabelle at Three Village Inn for his contribution to the Long Island restaurant scene since the mid 80's along with Jim Trezise, President of NY Wine & Grape Foundation, and a philanthropic trailblazer in the Long Island wine scene now celebrating 30 years since the foundation was created. Also, a portion of proceeds benefited local agricultural foundations.