Virtual Happy Hour: D&R G Wines and Untold Stories Preservation

NEWS: Princeton, N.J. — D&R Greenway invites the public to enjoy Wine, Art and Stories of Preservation, a Virtual Happy Hour celebrating Limited Edition labels for new local wines blended by Old York Cellars for three of the land trust’s most favored preserves. This near-Summer-Solstice festivity will take Thursday, June 25, via Zoom, from 5 – 6 p.m. Literally a Happy Hour (own beverages also appropriate), this free event features untold stories of preservation. D&R Greenway has seen a 200% increase in use of its preserves during the pandemic, as outdoor spaces provide beauty, solace and healing in challenging times. For Zoom Party Directions, RSVP to Deb Kilmer, by June 23, 2020. [dkilmer@drgreenway.org 609.203.7364]

Old York Cellars, of Ringoes, New Jersey, has honored three favorite sites preserved by D&R Greenway, with three wines blended for the land trust, from 2019’s bountiful harvest. Each label bears James Fiorentino landscape art, found on St. Michaels Red, Goat Hill Rose and Sourlands White. Wines can be purchased ahead of the event, or attendees may bring a beverage of their choice. The three Old York wines are available individually or as a handsome gift-box set. Guests are encouraged to order their Wines of Preservation by June 20, ensuring timely arrival for this unique Happy Hour. Separately or as a trio, these wines make memorable presents for special occasions. One-third of each $25/per-bottle purchase supports D&R Greenway’s Preservation and Stewardship mission. Old York Cellars offers delivery for a $10 fee in PA and NJ: https://www.oldyorkcellars.com/Purchase/DR-Greenway-Charity-Labels and free pick-up is available at select locations.

At the party, D&R Greenway CEO& President, Linda Mead will raise a literal glass, toasting Open Spaces. She will recount little-known aspects of the land trust’s trail to these preservation achievements. Internationally renowned artist and Board Vice Chair James Fiorentino will share his favorite experiences on the land and with wildlife. He will talk about his unique painting technique developed when he was just a teen, for which he appeared on Good Morning America. Fiorentino’s original artwork ‘Portraits of Preservation’ filled the land trust’s art gallery earlier this year and opens as a virtual exhibit on D&R Greenway’s website, www.drgreenway.org, on June 22. His hyper-realistic canvases celebrating nature are exhibited throughout the world. Fiorentino reveals, "I live here because of the beauty of the landscape and wildlife. The work of D&R Greenway to preserve these special places is more important now than ever.”

From Old York Cellars re grapes from which they have blended these very special wines:

Support D & R Greenway with three-bottle Wood Gift Box Set:
St Michael's Red: A Blend of Syrah, Marechel Foch, Landot Noir, &
Concord with bright berry nose and bold fruit character balanced by
light acidity and a smooth finish.

Goat Hill Rosé: A perfect blend
of Marechel Foch , Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling. The wine
exhibits floral notes with hints of strawberry. It is a semi sweet wine
with a clean finish.

Sourlands White: This off-dry white blend is
made from un-oaked Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. It sports apricot notes
and a smooth finish with medium acidity.

This official collaboration with a New Jersey vintner is fitting, since D&R Greenway’s preservation of more than 8,000 acres of farmlands contributes to New Jersey’s reputation as the Garden State. David Wolin of Old York Cellars will share secrets of wine production and the characteristics of these special wines at the party. His winery is nestled in the Sourland Mountain area of central New Jersey, where D&R Greenway has preserved thousands of significant acres including its first preserved acre upon its founding thirty years ago. The land trust’s Sourlands successes since 1989 ensure the health of this crucial watershed, essential in order to achieve excellent wines, as well as ensuring healthy drinking water for people in central New Jersey. All streams atop the mountain are headwaters, and feed most of the 19 streams and rivers in the Sourland region.

“This unique happy hour pairing of wine, art and stories about the land will provide attendees with a taste for preservation," invites Linda Mead. The event is free, and while purchasing the wine ahead of the event will enhance the experience it is not necessary. Those interested in learning more about land preservation are encouraged to join the party.

D&R Greenway Land Trust, an accredited nonprofit, has preserved 21,000 acres of land in New Jersey since 1989. By preserving land for life and creating public trails, it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. The land trust’s preserved farms and community gardens provide local organic food for our neighbors—including those most in need. Through strategic land conservation and stewardship, it combats climate change, protect birds and wildlife, and ensure clean drinking water for future generations. D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center in Princeton is home to art galleries and presentations that celebrate the natural world and inspire a conservation ethic. D&R Greenway's mission is centered in connecting land with people from all walks of life.

D&R Greenway Land Trust, One Preservation Place, Princeton NJ 08540 609.924.4646 is currently closed due to COVID-19. Visit www.drgeenway.org to learn more.

SELECTED PRESERVES:

St. Michaels Farm Preserve, on the former site of St. Michaels Orphanage, was established in 2010. Its grassroots funding campaign earned significant New York Times coverage. The preserve was recently expanded to 415 acres. Visitors enjoy more than six miles of trails, where there were to have been a thousand houses. Edible hedgerows, a vintage barn, a vernal pond supporting tadpoles and salamanders, grace the hilly domain. A wildflower meadow, to be planted in the footprint of the Orphanage that stood on this land for nearly a century, will be named for former Princeton Township Mayor, Phyllis Marchand – whose ceaseless support of D&R Greenway has been essential to the preservation of ever more crucial New Jersey landscape.

The Sourland Mountain region totals 60,000 mostly wooded acres, stretching from Lambertville to Somerville. The Sourlands Conservancy reminds that “All streams atop the mountain are headwaters, feeding most of the nineteen streams and rivers in the Sourland region, then flowing into two major watersheds, --the Delaware and Raritan Rivers... The forests of the Sourlands are inextricably connected and of crucial importance to the water resources of the Mountain. Contiguous forests, wetlands, floodplains and vernal pools protect the Mountain’s water quality and quantity.” This vibrant water ensures excellence in Old York Cellars wines. D&R Greenway Land Trust’s first preservation in the heart of the Sourlands has now achieved nearly 4,000 acres, treasured for varied trails, bountiful wildflowers, and vital bird species, in nesting season and in vital spring and fall migration. The region is known for its special sense of peace, silence and beauty.

Goat Hill Preserve - D&R Greenway spearheaded preservation of this spectacular vantage point, high above the Delaware River, just south of Lambertville. Now a State preserve, hikers on this trail are rewarded with stunning views of the river, rippling seemingly endlessly between verdant banks. General George Washington stood on the rocky promontory of Goat Hill in December 1776, checking to see if the Durham boats he had commandeered were effectively hidden from British eyes.

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BACKGROUND

OLD YORK CELLARS

The Cellars has linked art and wine throughout their history in New Jersey: In addition to their celebrated focus on exceptional regional wines, Old York maintains the Vista Room. “This1, 100-square-foot facility houses our featured artist exhibits and indoor picnic area. Featuring a wall of windows and massive deck, the Vista Room offers exquisite vineyard views, possibly the best the winery has to offer... In the Tasting Room, guests can experience Old York Cellars' wines, guided by friendly and experienced wine servers. [They may] peruse the gift shop of local artisanal products and wine accessories, or sit outside on the patio to enjoy the scenery with a picnic and a bottle of wine.”

The New York Times praises Old York’s setting and vintages: From Garden State to Vineyard State:

"We pulled up to Old York Cellars... and were immediately glad we had not decided to skip it…the views of rolling farmland from the stone terrace are stunning. You can combine a wine and chocolate tasting — we gave the chocolate to our kids, which satisfied them until they decided to climb trees, which did not seem to bother the owner, David Wolin, who chatted with us. ‘The biggest compliment we get is that this doesn’t look like New Jersey,’ he said. …We raved about almost every wine we tasted. We had been buying a bottle or two from each vineyard, but from here, we took home three: a Vidal Blanc, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a port called Southpaw Red.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/dining/new-jersey-wineries-like-auburn-road-and-bellview.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

Old York Cellars, known for its “Message on a Bottle” policy, cares about community. They put this process to good use to raise relief funds after Superstorm Sandy. Their web-site announces: “We are from New Jersey and proud of it!... Our What Exit Wines give back to New-Jersey-based charities. It started in 2013 with Hurricane Sandy charities... To this day, [this program] continues to support amazing organizations helping neighbors, friends and loved ones. We have been proud to work with Hometown Heroes, Flemington Food Pantry, Michael's Miracles, Dance for The Cure and more.