Updated: 4/20/2010 - 3:08 PM

Behind the Wine
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COURTESY PHOTO Corey Creek partnered with the mobile pizza truck “Rolling in Dough” to host a North Fork Women's Network event this summer. That's Matthew Michels flipping dough behind the counter.

A May promotion at Dilberto Winery raised $1,449 to help victims of the Italian earthquake disaster earlier this year. The funds were sent to the Grand Lodge Foundation of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America to pass along to the homeless and other victims of the devastated city of L'Aquila and the surrounding region. 
The Music Festival of the Hamptons, held in July at the Old Whalers Church in Sag Harbor, dedicated its closing gala and dessert buffet to the memory of Christian Wölffer, the late founder of Wolffer Estate Vineyards The evening featured jazz favorites by Cole Porter, Gershwin and Brubeck. The Hampton Classic Grand Prix also honored Mr. Wölffer with a presentation of a commemorative cuvée “in appreciation of the generous support of the Grand Prix sponsor,” said a press release.
And this year's “Chefs & Champagne” event, held at Wölffer Estate in July, acknowledge Mr. Wolffer's passing with a special presentation by his daughter, Andrea Wölffer, who spoke of her father's passion for winemaking, flair for life and longtime support of the James Beard Foundation.
SigNature® DNA markers have been incorporated into the premium wine labels at Paumanok Vineyards. Paumanok is proactively doing everything within its power to ensure that Paumanok wines represent exceptional quality, said proprietor Charles Massoud. Paumanok's new wines will feature a DNA label that, when authenticated, will ensure their originality, according to Dr. James Hayward, CEO of APDN, the company behind the special labels.
Peconic Bay Winery was featured on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams in July. The segment about industries still hiring in a weak economy, which aired July 13, featured Peconic Bay manager Jim Silver discussing the wine industry and explained the potential for work in the industry. Peconic Bay also launched a new label in August, Nautique. This line of small-production hand-crafted wines offers consumers a white, rosé and red variety that “captures the spirit of the North Fork,” according to a winery spokesperson.
John Leo has joined the staff of Onabay Winery as assistant winemaker to Bruce Schneider.
Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery has joined Long Island Merlot Alliance; the winery contributed two barrels of 2007 merlot to the production of 2007 Merliance, a consistently acclaimed blend of merlot from all seven member wineries.
Michelina Celli has been promoted to international wholesale manager at Martha Clara Vineyards. Ms. Celli has been with Martha Clara since the beginning and has been involved in sales and hosting tastings. In other staff news, Ken Reese has joined Martha Clara as location manager. Mr. Reese brings to the position almost 20 years' experience in the restaurant and catering industry.
In other Martha Clara Vineyards news, winemaker Juan Micieli-Martinez recently switched from corks to metal screw caps to seal Martha Clara wines. Using screw caps avoids the serious and growing problem of cork taint, caused by a fungus that can occur in natural cork. Cork taint spoils the smell and taste of wine in the bottle. Last year, Paumanok Vineyards was the first Long Island winery to make the switch to screw caps, which are gaining in consumer acceptance as they appear on more and more premium wines around the world.
Bouké Wines has partnered with distributor Premium Wines to expand to several new stores, wine bars and restaurants. New accounts include Estia's Little Kitchen, Sag Harbor, Jamesport Manor Inn, Jamesport; and Park Place Wine and Liquors in East Hampton; and Pierre Loti Wine Bar in Gramercy Park. For a complete list, see boukewines.com. Premium Wines is headed by Peter Demeo, former general manager at Pellegrini Vineyards.
Mike Papaleo has joined the sales team at Lieb Cellars as district account executive for the New York Metro area. Mr. Papaleo is certified as a sommelier by the Sommelier Society of America.
Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard has been rescuing unwanted horses from certain death since 2007. Today their growing stable includes everything from Thoroughbreds with championship bloodlines to adorable miniature horses. For photos and more information, see baitinghollowfarmvineyard. com.
Sparkling Pointe has been doing good deeds in the community, participating in La Cuvée Wine Bar's Rosé Festival to benefit the American Cancer Society and an event to benefit Phoenix House of the Hamptons.
James Houston has joined the Osprey's Dominion team as an apprentice winemaker. From Park Slope, Brooklyn, Mr. Houston was recently employed at Sherry-Lehman Liquors in Manhattan.