Cabernet Franc flourishes in the cool climate of four of New York’s AVAs, and has rightfully risen to fame as a stand-alone varietal in recent years. Lively moderator Kevin Zraly, wine educator and author, will lead a roundtable discussion with outstanding Cabernet Franc producers from Seneca Lake, Long Island, Hudson Valley and the Finger Lakes and debate what it takes to produce a wine that has claimed the title of “the unofficial red grape of New York.”
About the Moderator:
Kevin Zraly is an award-winning wine writer and one of the world’s foremost wine educators. Kevin has been teaching wine for 50 years, sharing his passion with thousands of eager students from all walks of life. He has written eight books about wine and food, including his annually updated Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, which has sold more than four million copies – making it the number one wine book in the United States. In the fall of 2020, he will release the 35th anniversary edition of the book. He also co-authored the definitive book about red wine – aptly named Red Wine – with The World Wine Guys, Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen. Kevin is the youngest person to receive the James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award (2011), recognized for his commitment to making the study of wine accessible and fun to all as well as for his monumental contributions to the world of food and wine. He is also one of only three people from the world of wine to receive this recognition – the other two being Robert Mondavi and Ernest Gallo.
Kevin has shared his passion for the enjoyment of wine through his books, appearances on major television networks, and through features in The New York Times, People, The Wall Street Journal, GQ Magazine and many others. Kevin continues to teach and entertain through his virtual wine classes, dinners and events for corporations and individuals.
Kevin is the father of four children (vintages ’91, ’93, ’97 and ’99), and lives in New Paltz, New York.