SCHUMER ANNOUNCES WINE FROM AWARD-WINNING BEDELL CELLARS ON LONG ISLAND TO BE SERVED AT THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION
Schumer, Chairman of the Inaugural Ceremonies, Reveals The Selection of Wine from Bedell Cellars of New York to Be Served at Inaugural Luncheon Following Swearing-in Of President and Vice President
President, Vice President, House & Senate Leaders, Cabinet Members and Supreme Court Will All Taste Some of New York State’s Finest Wine
Schumer: Democrats and Republicans Will Agree –Long Island Wine is World-Class
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Bedell Cellars winery from North Fork, Long Island will provide a 2009 Merlot to be served at the 2013 Inaugural Luncheon. Schumer, Chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, said Bedell Cellars winery was chosen by the caterers for their Luncheon menu. Schumer today said that the choice of a New York wine will be a boon for New York’s wineries across the state. New York wineries are a significant part of the agricultural economy in New York, supporting thousands of jobs. The wine will be served alongside the second course which includes featuring bison with red potato horseradish cake and a wild huckleberry reduction.
“Serving Long island’s own Bedell Cellars merlot at the Inaugural luncheon shines a spotlight on one of New York’s world-class wine industry,” said Schumer. “President Obama, Vice President Biden, members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Cabinet will all get a taste of Long Island’s finest with the addition of Bedell Cellars. I’m pleased to be able to showcase a fantastic New York company, one of many wineries that strengthen our New York’s economy.”
“Everyone at Bedell Cellars is honored to be the first Long Island winery served at an Inauguration of the President of the United States. As we celebrate over 30 years of winemaking excellence at Bedell Cellars we also wish to thank our customers‚ who have supported our wines over the years. We are deeply grateful to Senator Charles Schumer for the opportunity and his unwavering support of the entire New York wine industry,” said Michael Lynne, Owner of Bedell Cellars.
Bedell Cellars is a family-owned vineyard and winery on the North Fork of Long Island and has been in business for thirty years. Since 2000, it has been owned by Michael Lynne, an art collector and film executive. The wine is made from home-grown grapes on three vineyard sites in Cutchogue, Southold and Peconic. Bedell Cellars has been recognized for its fine wine many times, which includes receiving 91 points from Wine Spectator, the highest score the publication has ever awarded to a red wine from Eastern North America. Bedell Cellars also made Wine Business Monthly’s list of the Top 10 Hottest Small Brands in the world.
In addition to the 2009 Merlot form Bedell Cellars winery, the luncheon menu will feature a number of New York products, including the third course, a Hudson Valley apple pie with sour cream ice cream, aged cheese, and honey. The apples are from Golden Harvest Orchards in Valatie, Columbia County. Cooperstown Cheese Company, in Otsego, NY, will be supplying the cheese. The honey will come from Seaway Trail Honey in Rochester. Two of the wines to be served along the first and second course also hail from New York. Three vineyards in the Finger Lakes Region, Anthony Road Winery, Fox Run Vineyards, and Red Newt Cellars, have collaborated to produce a Tierce 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling.
The luncheon menu reflects Schumer’s choice of a theme for the 57th Inaugural Ceremonies. “Faith in America’s Future” commemorates the United States’ perseverance and unity and marks the sesquicentennial year of the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the new Capitol Dome in 1863. When the Civil War threatened to bring construction of the Dome to a halt, workers pressed onward, even without pay, until Congress approved additional funding to complete the Dome that would become a symbol of unity and democracy to the entire world. The menu features American agricultural products that have long been popular in our cuisine, but with an added modern touch. It is a celebration of American farms and agriculture, with a nod to their bright future and continued place in our culture.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) is responsible for the oversight and planning of the Presidential Inauguration and related ceremonies on the U.S. Capitol grounds.
The Joint Committee was authorized by S. Con. Res. 35, which passed the Senate on March 1, 2012, and the House on March 5th. Members of JCCIC are appointed by the Vice President and the Speaker of the House. In accordance with tradition, the Senate representatives on JCCIC are Majority Leader Harry Reid, Rules Committee Chairman Charles E. Schumer, and Rules Committee Ranking Member Lamar Alexander. The House members of JCCIC are Speaker John A. Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
S. Con. Res. 35 established the date of the 2013 Inauguration as Monday, January 21, 2013, since January 20, 2013 falls on a Sunday. This is the seventh time in U.S. history that the constitutionally mandated Inauguration date has fallen on a Sunday. The last time was for President Ronald Reagan’s second Inauguration in 1985. When this occurs, the public ceremonies traditionally are held on Monday.
In addition, January 21, 2013 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It will be the second time that this federal holiday has coincided with a Presidential Inauguration. The first was President Bill Clinton’s second Inauguration in 1997.
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