New York Wines, New York Foods, New York Restaurants...

 Senator Gillibrand to Host New York Farm Day 

            A cornucopia of New York farm products--from eastern Long Island to western Chautauqua, from North Country to the Southern Tier--will be showcased in the Nation's Capitol on September 12.            

 Washington Gets a Taste of New York

                New York's award winning wines, farm-fresh products, sensational seafood, and fine restaurants will soon travel to the nation's Capitol to tastefully remind Congress, the Administration and others that New York is a major agricultural state, and agriculture is a major part of the state's economy.

             On Wednesday, September 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will host "New York Farm Day" in the elegant Senate Kennedy Caucus Room at the crest of Capitol Hill.  Attendees will include many other Senators, the New York Congressional delegation from the House of Representatives, members of the Committes on Agriculture, legislative chiefs of staff, agricultural specialists in Congress and the Administration, members of the Washington media, top area restaurants and fine wine shops. 

             "Senator Gillibrand has been a great advocate for New York agriculture, including the grape and wine industry," said Jim Trezise, President of the statewide New York Wine & Grape Foundation, which organizes the event.  "New York has some of the best wines, farm products, seafood and restaurants in the world, and we are honored to partner with her in tastefully proving that to official Washington."

              Since its inaugural launch in 2002, New York Farm Day has become the most popular event on Capitol Hill, with attendance normally exceeding 700 guests.  A major part of the attraction is that the people presenting the wines and foods are the same people who produce them--it's not just another catered event.

             "Farm Day is a unique and important opportunity for us to showcase the best of what New York's farmers and producers have to offer.  Every year we bring New York to Washington, DC, and I am thrilled that this has become such an anticipated event on the Congressional calendar," Senator Gillibrand said.  "New York's farmers and producers are some of the best in the world and this is a great opportunity to spread the word even further about the quality of our produce.  I know we are all looking forward to sampling some of the incredible wine, food and produce that will be on display."

              The event is generally organized according to the State's major wine-producing regions--Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes, the Niagara and Erie areas, and North Country.  Each region has a "Farm Table" showcasing local agricultural products, a "Restaurant Table" featuring special recipes created from local products, and a "Wine Table" offering award-winning wines to match the foods.

              Farming is a $4.7 billion industry vital to New York's economy.  About 23% of the State's land area, or 7 million acres, are covered by 36,000 family farms.  New York ranks high among the major agricultural states in America--first in the number of yogurt producers; second in apples and maple syrup; third in grapes, grape juice and wine; and fourth in pears and dairy, which is by far the largest segment of the agricultural sector.  The grape, juice and wine industry alone generates more than $3.7 billion in economic benefits annually to the State of New York.

              New York Farm Day is made possible by the generosity of its sponsors including CoBank, Constellation Brands, Farm Credit East, Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation, Mastercraft Glassware, New York Apple Association, New York Farm Bureau, New York State Restaurant Association, New York Wine & Grape Foundation, and Yankee Farm Credit.

                                           Long Island and New York City

New York State Aquaculture Association--Fresh Oysters and Clams farmed by Aeros Cultured Oysters and F.M. Flower & Son 

Cool Fish Restaurant--Tartare of Yellow Fin Tuna with Red Ginger, Chilies, Soy, and Satur Farms Wasabi Greens

Wines of Long Island--Jamesport Vineyards, Lieb Cellars, Martha Clara Vineyards, Palmer Vineyards, Waters Crest Winery, Wolffer Estate

Long Island Spirits Craft Distillery--Vodka and Sorbettas made from John Kioski & Sons Potatoes, and Harbes Family Farm and Seps Farm Berries.

Charlie Palmer Steak (Manhattan)--Fly Creek Cider Mill Braised Pork Cheeks with Celery and Brown Farms Apple Salad

Orwasher's Bakery--Levain Locale, Ultimate Whole Wheat, Cabernet Rustica, and Cabernet Sesamo Breads

                                                  Hudson Valley

Tuthilltown Spirits Farm Distillery--Hudson Whiskeys and Half Moon Orchard Gin

Hudson Valley Fruit Producers--A Rainbow of Sorbettos including Raspberry-Anonia, Whitecliff Winery Wine-Fruit, Mountain Range Farms Black Currant, and Elderflower

Local Ocean--Corn Salad with Branzino, Basil, Tomato, Scallions, Lemon and Virgin Olive Oil; Ceviche of Royal Dorade; Grilled Branzino with Fennel Infused Olive Oil and Herbs

Flying Pigs Farm--Classic Smoked Ham Sandwiches

Chobani--All Natural Greek Yogurt Parfaits made from New York Milk

Wines of the Hudson Valley--Brookview Station Winery; Brotherhood, America's Oldest Winery; Stoutridge Vineyard; Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery

                                             Central New York

State University of New York (Morrisville)--Cheese Curds, an Assortment of Fresh Produce Hors d'oeuvres, and Fresh Apple Slices with Homemade Caramel Dip

New York Apple Association--Fresh New York State Apples and Juice from Red Jacket Orchards

Empire State Honey Producers Association--Fresh Honey Comb, Cranberry & Raspberry Flavored Creamed Honeys, Seasonal Wildflower Honey on Honey Cake; New York State Cheese

New York Maple Producers Association--A Variety Maple Products

State University of New York (Cobleskill)--Rustic Apple Torte with Lemon Honey Yogurt Sauce Made from Sharon Orchards Apples, Cowbella Yogurt, Heather Ridge Farm Honey, and SUNY Cobleskill's own Fresh Eggs

                                                  Finger Lakes

Wines of the Finger Lakes--Anthony Road Wine Company, Fulkerson Winery, Hosmer Winery, Pompous Ass Winery, Sheldrake Point Winery, Standing Stone Vineyards, Wagner Vineyards

Red Newt Cellars Winery & Bistro--Muranda Blue Cheese Crostini on Finger Lakes Sourdough Bread, Lively Run Chevre Sunflower French Bread Crostini with Sunflower Shoot Pesto

Finger Lakes Culinary Bounty--Cheese from Muranda Cheese Company, Lively Run Goat Cheese, Finger Lakes Farmstead Cheese; Bolter Creek Organics Chutney and Sauces; Crackerman Crackers; Karma Sauce Company Mustards, Tomato Kats'up, and Karma Sauces; Luciano Sacheli Onion Jelly; Rosie's Garlic Scape Pesto, Six Circles Farms; Red Jacket Orchards Seasonal Fruit

Wines of the Finger Lakes--Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars, Fox Run Vineyards, Frontenac Point Vineyard & Estate Winery, Lakewood Vineyards, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Red Newt Cellars

Cornell University (Small Fruits Breeding Program)--Newly-released Crimson Giant, Crimson Night, and Double Gold Raspberry Varieties

                                                Niagara and Lake Erie

National Grape Cooperative/Welch's--All Natural Concord Grape Juice, and Red & White Sparkling Grape Juice

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc.--All Natural, Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt in a Berry Parfait; and Crave, an innovative shelf-stable line of Flavored Milks

New York Apple Association--Fresh New York State Apples and Juice from Red Jacket Orchards

Wines of Lake Erie and Niagara Escarpment--Black Willow Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, The Winery at Marjim ManorJohnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, The Winery of Ellicottville

                                                     North Country

McCadam Cheese--Wicked Sharp Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Horseradish Cheddar

North Country Specialties--Champlain Valley Milling Freekah Mix, and Baguette Bread; Everett Orchards Honeycrisp Apples; Lyndaker's Maple Orchard Maple Cream; Downing Acres Lamb Sticks; Harvest Herb Company Olive Oil Dipping Spices; Parker Family Maple, Light Amber 

Mercer's Wine Ice Cream--Riesling, Port, and Chocolate Cabernet Wine Ice Creams

Ice Wines and Dessert Wines of New York--Hunt Country Vineyards, Johnson Estate Winery, Lakewood Vineyards, and Sheldrake Point Winery

  "A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine."

                                                       --Anthelme Brillat-Savarin