The Land of Grapes & Money...
Where Did They All Come From?

Oh, to have forethought!\r\n\r\nI find it fascinating to think that just 25 years ago, a young couple, known as the Hargraves, had the bullocks to invest in the area’s first vineyard, planting the seeds that spawned the multi-million dollar wine industry that exists here today. \r\n\r\nNow I’m not good at chemistry, geography or anything else that requires more than a handful of brain cells. In fact, I prematurely abandoned my studies to follow this lovely Norwegian bird to Amsterdam and spent the better part of my secondary education intoxicated by another type of agricultural wonder. But that’s another story.\r\n\r\nObviously the Hargraves paid attention in school, because they were smart enough to figure out that Long Island’s unique climate and geographical location make it the perfect place for wine production. And while math is my weakest subject, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that $65 million is a lot of money. That’s how much the Long Island wine industry is said to produce in gross annual sale, generating $3.5 million in annual tax revenues from just 33 licensed wine producers across the Island, 28 of which are located here on the North Fork. \r\n\r\nThat represents the annual sale of 500,000 cases, which equals 1,200,000 gallons of wine. Now, that’s a figure that I can relate to. In fact, I have taken it upon myself to help increase that number by one percent this year and, if we all do our part, we can double that 1,200,000 figure. Imagine the great fun we will have. \r\n\r\nI started this personal quest last night and made it through a bottle of Bedell’s Main Road Red, a bottle of Palmer’s 2003 Gewurztraminer, and a half bottle of Galluccio’s 2000 Point House Merlot before ending up arse over elbow. I actually woke up in a ditch this morning somewhere on Oregon Road. \r\n\r\nPerhaps 32.8 gallons a day may be a bit more than a svelte young bloke like myself can actually handle, but I pledge to do my best! It appears \r\n\r\nIt appears I have got my hands full, my friends.\r\n\r\nA special thanks to my friends at the North Fork Wine Council who release the annual wine region figures each year!