Tierce Dry Riesling to be Served at Inauguration Luncheon

Tierce Dry Riesling, a collaboration of three winemakers from three different Finger Lakes wineries, will be served at the Inauguration luncheon after the swearing in of President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden later this month.

This was announced yesterday by U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.

Sure, it is exciting for any winery to have one of their wines selected to be poured at a special event such as this, but what I especially love about this choice, aside from the delicious wine, is that it is a collaboration of three excellent winemakers. What a beautiful example to be displayed in Washington.

Peter Bell of Fox Run Vineyards, David Whiting of Red Newt Cellars, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, and Johannes Reinhardt of Anthony Road Winery

Fox Run Vineyards, Red Newt Cellars and Anthony Road Winery could all be fierce competitors, but instead they choose to work together on joint projects such as this Tierce Riesling.

Their collaboration is a perfect example of what I have seen in the Finger Lakes region during my five visits to the area in 2012 alone, after our first visit to the Finger Lakes in 2011 where one of the winery owners invited my family (kids and all) to Thanksgiving dinner with his family. (So, in case you cannot tell, and in the spirit of full disclosure, I must confess I’ve met two of the winemakers featured in that photo, and all but one of the Tierce collaborative team.  I have found them to be great people, as well as exceptional winemakers.)

What I have seen in the Finger Lakes region of New York is that the winemakers and winery owners truly work together for the benefit of the region. They support each other and stand up for each other and absolutely want to make the best wine they can possibly make. They experiment and take suggestions from each other and are constantly working to improve their wines and grow their businesses.

And they all seem to shy away from the limelight.

When I called Peter Bell of Fox Run to congratulate him, he wanted to be sure I knew that there were many others who were not in the press photo who had a lot to do with the winemaking and blending of Tierce. He mentioned Tricia Renshaw, who works with him at Fox Run, Kelby Russell who was at Fox Run but now who is at Red Newt, Brandon Seager, who was previously at Red Newt, Peter Becraft of Anthony Road and Sara Gummoe of Fox Run who didn’t work in this particular Tierce, but has worked on others since. The team has been collaborating on Tierce since 2004, with a Riesling created each year except for one, when they decided to release a red wine instead.

What better wine to pour to show America not only a fantastic wine, but also a collaborative spirit.

Perhaps the Republicans and Democrats and anyone else who wants to argue can take their example. When you combine the best, you only get better.