"50 Years of Vineyards on the North Fork" Event Honors Louisa Hargrave

NORTH FORK, NY — North Fork wine pioneer Louisa Hargrave will be feted Thursday night at the "50 Years of Vineyards on the North Fork" celebration, hosted by the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council and the North Fork Promotional Council.

The event takes place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the Village Green in Cutchogue; guests can taste some of the best wines and food from local establishments while listening to a string trio and oboe perform classical music under a tent decorated by Salt Air Farm. The event will be part of the 8th edition of the Rites of Spring Music Fest.

Hargrave, Long Island wine region founder, will be the honoree for the evening; also recognized will be agricultural consultant Bill Sanok and restaurateur John Ross for their roles in advancing the Long Island wine industry, organizers said.

Guests will be able to taste wines and samples from Harbes Vineyard, Lenz Winery, Macari Vineyards & Winery, Pellegrini Vineyards, Pindar Vineyards, Really Good Fruit Spreads, Sannino Vineyard, Peconic Bay Vineyards, Rose Hill Vineyards, Croteaux Winery, Bridge Lane Wine, Leib Cellars, Coffee Pot Cellars, Founder’s Oysters, Borghese Vineyard , Suhru Wines, One Woman Winery, Chronicle Wines, The French Picnic, Bedell Wines, and McCall Wines.

In addition, there will be a grazing table and hot hors d'oeuvres.

Peconic Landing said they are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable achievements of one of their "esteemed members," Hargrave.

"The councils will recognize Hargrave as the evening’s honoree for pioneering the region's very first vineyard and her many outstanding contributions to the Long Island wine industry," Peconic Landing said.

Hargrave was the co-founder of Long Island’s first vineyard, Hargrave Vineyard, planting the first wine grapes on the North Fork in 1973. She spent 26 years running the vineyard, sold it in 1999, and became a journalist, author, wine consultant, and licensed real estate sales person. She is also a founder and member emeritus of the Long Island Wine Council, Peconic Landing said.

"We congratulate Louisa on this well-deserved honor and are privileged to have her as part of our vibrant community here at Peconic Landing," said Robert J. Syron, the community’s president and CEO. "Her pioneering spirit and dedication to her craft have not only shaped the local wine industry but also inspired those around her. This recognition serves as a shining example of the outstanding accomplishments and unique stories that our members bring to Peconic Landing."

Tickets are $75 in advance and $90 at the door and can be purchased via Eventbrite here. For additional information about the event, contact Mark MacNish at 631-379-7494 or Lisa Sannino at 631-259-1166.