Updated: 6/25/2010 - 11:04 AM

Greetings from the Long Island Wine Council
The endless days of summer...

Ron Goerler Jr., president Long Island Wine Council

As we leave spring behind and anticipate all that summer has to offer, I can't help but think about all of the exciting things to do on the East End of Long Island. Visiting the farmstands and enjoying their bounty, going to sandy beaches and basking in the sun, shopping for treasures in the unique boutiques and stores of our small towns, dining out in the great restaurants on the North and South forks and, of course, visiting the wineries and sampling the results of our hard work — these are just some of the many options available to you. With the arrival of warmer weather comes the debut of our newest vintages. Be sure to come out and sample some!
To kick off the summer, join us during the weekend of June 25-27 for the first annual Long Island Wine & Food Festival. You'll find numerous events, such as music, seminars and wine-and-food pairings at many of the wineries. This weekend will culminate on Sunday, June 27, with a very special wine-and-food-tasting event on the waterfront in Greenport. There will be over 50 wineries and restaurants in attendance, showcasing our region's newest releases, paired with the best local gastronomic creations. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the beginning of those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. For more information on this event, visit longisland wineandfoodfestival.com
To close the summer season, we hope you'll plan to attend Harvest East End, a wine auction and celebration of Long Island's wine region to be held Sept. 24-25. The weekend features a gala dinner showing off Long Island's best wines at Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack on Sept. 25. This event benefits East End Hospice and Peconic Land Trust. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit harvesteastend.com.
We hope you'll consider attending both of these premier events but, even if you can't, all summer long you'll find a wide range of activities at the wineries, from live music to art shows, and of course regular opportunities to sample the region's finest wines paired with our terrific local food. See the events section in this issue or visit longislandwines.com to find an event to suit your interest. If you prefer a less crowded, more personalized visit to a winery, consider coming on a weekday, when you're sure to receive a little extra attention. (You may even be treated to a private tour!)
We now have some 40 wineries open to the public on the North and South forks that attract over 1.3 million visitors to the East End each year — visitors who eat, shop and buy locally. Thanks to these Long Island wine enthusiasts, our local economy continues to grow. In fact, this beautiful wine region would not exist without the support of everyone who has come to sample and appreciate the results of our creative efforts. Thank you for your continued support.
Ron Goerler Jr., president
Long Island Wine Council