Dan Abrams’ newly unveiled Ev&Em Vineyards
As North Forker and newsman Dan Abrams toasts the official launch of Ev&Em Vineyards (evandemvineyards.com) in Laurel, we check in for all the delicious details.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO BASE YOUR WINERY ON THE NORTH FORK? I have had my eye on North Fork wines for a while as they have been quickly and significantly improving over the past 10 years or so. In fact, I now believe the top wineries in the region are able to compete with the finest in the country. So this was the perfect time for me to invest, and when my friend Charles Massoud who owns Paumanok winery (one of my very favorites in the area) told me about this winery being quietly for sale, I quickly jumped at the opportunity.
HOW WILL EV&EM VINEYARDS WINES DIFFER FROM LAUREL LAKE VINEYARDS WINES? We have retained the terrific and talented winemaker Juan Sepulveda, but he will tell you that these wines are fundamentally different in both flavor profile and quality. The farming and winemaking equipment has all been upgraded, we are much more selective about the grapes we are using, and we have planted many new vines. Our goal is to create wines that can compete on the international stage, and already our first vintage, the 2021 wines, is far more complex and rich than any previous wines from this vineyard. In fact, we are confident that these 2021 wines already show well up against the very finest wines in the region. We also have the advantage of having some of the oldest vines in the area. The vineyard has also completely eradicated the use of herbicides to move closer to its ultimate goal of reaching 100% sustainable farming. This includes the integration of recycled materials, low-water indigenous plants, and energy-efficient appliances and farming equipment.
Ev&Em Vineyards owner Dan Abrams with his family
ARE YOU BRINGING IN ANYBODY NEW TO ADVISE? Sommelier and wine educator Vanessa Price, who was the wine columnist at New YorkMagazine and author of the popular book Big Macs & Burgundy, was brought on to oversee all aspects of the winery. Vanessa has also been a [Wine & Spirits Education Trust] instructor for the International Wine Center since 2017. Vanessa has been integral in everything from the complete renovation of the property to planting new vines and ensuring the highest level of quality in the wines we release. Kristen Curcie, who is both an alum of Wölffer and Guild Hall, has been an amazing hire as the day-to-day general manager.
The newly reimagined space offers luxurious lounging.
TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE WINES YOU HAVE RELEASED SO FAR, AND WHAT IS YET TO COME IN THE FUTURE? Our 2021 lineup so far includes the sauvignon blanc, stainless-steel chardonnay, our rosé in an amazing bottle, but I have probably been most blown away so far by our pinot gris and our first reserve wine, which is a rosé from 100% cabernet sauvignon grapes that was released in July. Our 2021 reserve oaked chardonnay will likely be released in the fall, and our lineup of 2021 reds are patiently marinating in oak barrels and will be released later this year and into 2023 and beyond. We will be releasing a reserve red in 2023 that, based on our initial tastings, we believe will be a world-class Bordeaux-style blend and will be priced accordingly. We also have a full lineup of reds and whites for our entry-level offering called E2. This allowed us to use the very best of what Laurel Lake had remaining and moving forward will come from our younger vines.
A reserve red is in the works for a 2023 release
CAN YOU SHARE THE MEANING BEHIND THE NAME OF THE WINERY? It’s named after my kids Everett and Emilia!
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO ENJOY ON THE NORTH FORK OR WHY DO YOU LOVE SPENDING TIME IN THE AREA, ESPECIALLY IN THE FALL OR OFFSEASON? I love the tranquility and authenticity of the North Fork. There are vast areas of the North Fork where you can see farms, family-owned businesses and even the occasional outdoor show or convention that make you feel, in the best of ways, like you are living in a time warp. For folks on the South Fork, it may be similar to thinking about what Montauk was like decades ago. I also love to take my kids berry picking at some of the farms.
ANY OTHER UPCOMING PROJECTS OR NEWS TO SHARE? My Law&Crime network has really exploded in the past year, I have been having a lot of fun with my new cable news show on NewsNation every weeknight, but now on weekends I am thrilled that my live police show now called On Patrol: Live is coming back on the air (starting July 22) on the Reelz channel Friday and Saturday nights. In addition to my continuing work for ABC News, my daily radio show on Sirius and my Abrams Media web properties and businesses, it’s definitely an exciting time!
Photography by: courtesy of the brand
