(Riverhead, NY) Juan Micieli-Martinez spoke with great enthusiasm, passion and gratitude, if not combined with an air of modesty, as he proclaimed 2013 to be a ‘Banner Year’ for Martha Clara Vineyards. As the Winemaker and General Manager of the Vineyard, Micieli-Martinez is wrapping up the 2013 Harvest Season grateful for all the elements that have come together for the 2013 Harvest to yield what looks to be another award-winning vintage for the Vineyard.
This has been a Banner Year!’ Micieli- Martinez proclaimed, as he modestly inferred that he and his vineyard team, led by Jim Thompson, were all ‘pleasantly surprised’ by the Harvest of 2013. Micieli-Martinez’s excitement for the Harvest of 2013 extends beyond his own vineyard with enthusiasm and pride for the entire region: “Everyone is picking dynamite grapes!” Micieli-Martinez commented. “The entire East End is producing great wines,” an achievement that continues to build on an already growing success story in what has often been referred to as ‘The Napa-fication of Long Island’s Wine Industry.’
Long Island’s Wine Industry, much of which is concentrated on the North Fork of Long Island, has lately been receiving increasingly widespread recognition for the quality of the wines it has been producing in recent years, so much so that Governor Andrew M. Cuomo of New York State recently announced the launch of a new television ad campaign promoting New York State’s award-winning wines, a campaign that is helping to position New York State as a global leader in wine production. Martha Clara Vineyards continues to be at the (top of the list) of those NY State Wineries whose wines are recognized in the best of their class at such World Class Events as The New York State Wine & Food Classic Competition and Harvest East End. The Vineyard’s 2010 Merlot was voted ‘Best Merlot’ in New York State in the ‘Best of” Category Awards at the New York Wine & Food Classic this year. In 2011, The Vineyard’s 2010 New York State Riesling received The Governor’s Cup Award. And the Vineyard’s 2010 Estate Reserve Riesling was awarded The Jefferson Trophy by the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association for the best wine in New York State. Yet another achievement Micieli-Martinez is proud of is that of the Vineyard’s ‘Sustainable Vineyard’ status as a member of Long Island Sustainable Winegrowers.
Given all the recent recognition that Martha Clara Vineyards has been receiving for their award-winning wines, the Vineyard was also recently asked if they would agree to have a film production crew come video-tape the harvesting process this fall. Micieli-Martinez agreed and the resulting footage will be included as part of Governor Cuomo’s 2014 Television Campaign promoting the New York State Wine Industry. The television campaign has captured what promises to be another award-winning harvest at the Vineyard as the word spreads throughout the Industry that New York State Wines are a global leader in wine production, and Martha Clara Vineyards is at the top of the list in producing the State’s award-winning wines.
And while it may be another 6-8 months before we can enjoy the wines produced from the 2013 Harvest, we can all enjoy a ‘taste’ of what’s to come with the inventory and special deals the Vineyard currently has on past vintages.
For Thanksgiving Dinner, Micieli-Martinez recommends the Vineyard’s 3-pack, which includes Martha Clara’s award-winning Merlot and Riesling, as well as the popular Solstice Rose.
‘There is something for everyone in these three wines,’ says Micieli-Martinez. ‘The Rose is excellent with appetizers; the Riesling works well with cheeses and the Merlot is an excellent complement to the main course.
Like many Long Islanders’, Micieli-Martinez will enjoy winding down to a home-cooked family Thanksgiving dinner where many of the traditional family recipes are created with the area’s local produce and poultry and served with Martha Clara Vineyard’s wines. He reminisces to a time not too long ago where family gatherings also may have included (and often still does) a serving of Entenmann’s cakes, the business Robert Entenmann, owner of Martha Clara Vineyards grew up with and headed before buying his family farm on the North Fork of Long Island.
Heading into his 7th year with this revered Family Business, Micieli-Martinez is proud to be a part of a business whose products have a tradition of bringing families together and whose success is heralded in every industry it enters into. Like the award-winning wines it produces, Martha Clara Vineyards is a success story that speaks not only to its wines, but to the history and success of the Long Island-based New York Family behind its products.
‘It has been a ‘Banner Year,’ Micieli-Martinez likes to say, but ‘The Best is yet to Come!’ he proudly adds.
BLACK FRIDAY
As if all that isn’t enough, Micieli-Martinez has big plans for everyone on
Black Friday at Martha Clara Vineyards:
The day after Thanksgiving, traditionally known as ‘Black Friday’ Martha Clara Vineyards will be offering Deep Discounts on Wine Purchases All Day.
The earlier you get there, the Deeper the Discount:
8-9am 35% off all wine purchases
9-10am 30% off all wine purchases
10am-11am 25% off all wine purchases
11am-12 Noon 20% off all wine purchases
12-6pm 15% off all any wine purchase
The Day has been dubbed ‘Johnny Cash Black Friday’ in honor of ‘The Man in Black’ and a special 2-hour Tribute Concert to Johnny Cash is planned with a 7-piece band performing the music of Johnny Cash, June Carter and the Carter Sisters at the Vineyard at 7:30pm that evening. Tickets for the concert are $20 in advance, and subject to availability, $25 at the door. All tickets purchased include a glass of wine.
“This is a great time of the year to visit Martha Clara Vineyards’ Micieli-Martinez has been known to say. The knowledgeable staff is happy to answer any of your questions and help you choose the right wine for your menu or event. The retail shop offers countless gift ideas. There are three different event spaces for you to book your upcoming family, business or Holiday party.
Other noteworthy happenings include: Wine Tastings, Live Musical Events, Gift Baskets and a Wine Club, offering their own special events and discounts on wine purchases.
Martha Clara Vineyards is located at 6025 Sound Avenue in the historic Northville District of Riverhead, NY. They are open 7 days a week: Monday-Thursday: 11am-5pm; Friday and Sunday: 11am-6pm and on Saturday: 11am-7pm. (Closed Thanksgiving Day)
For more information, visit their website at: http://www.
