Past, present, future.

KIP & SUSAN BEDELL PLANTED THEIR FIRST GRAPEVINES HERE IN 1980, WITH KIP EARNING THE MONIKER “MR. MERLOT” IN WINE SPECTATOR MAGAZINE. IN 2000, BEDELL CELLARS WAS SOLD TO the Lynne family. TODAY, BEDELL STANDS AT THE FOREFRONT OF CREATIVITY AND EXCELLENCE IN THE MODERN AMERICAN WINE INDUSTRY, AND IS WIDELY REGARDED AS THE BENCHMARK WINERY IN THE EASTERN U.S.

Bedell Cellars Founder Kip Bedell, planting his very first grapevine in 1980.

Founder Kip Bedell (right) with Marvin Shanken, Publisher of Wine Spectator toasting over a glass of Merlot in the Bedell Vineyard (1993). Early recognition from key publications such as Wine Spectator helped raise the profile of the nascent Long Island winegrowing region.

The Bedell Cellars Tasting Room as it appeared in the 1980s and 90s.

Bedell Cellars Vineyard Manager Dave Thompson working the tractor in the 1980s. He pioneered many sustainable-minded vineyard techniques tailored for Long Island’s climate – considered revolutionary at that time but now widely practiced throughout the industry. Dave remains in the same position today and knows every vine at Bedell Cellars like the back of his hand.

Bedell Cellars Winemaker Richard Olsen-Harbich working his first vintage on Long Island in 1983 after finishing his plant science degree
at Cornell University. Rich wrote the North Fork of Long Island
American Viticultural Area application to the federal government
and won approval for the new appellation in 1986.

Bedell Cellars 2009 Merlot served at President Obama’s 2013 Inaugural Luncheon, the first NYS wine ever served at a Presidential Inauguration.

CEO Trent Preszler in 2016 with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Long Island Congressman Steve Israel. Trent was Chairman of the Board for both the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and Wine America, the national association of American wineries.

Bedell CEO Trent Preszler (center) with Danny Meyer (left), owner of Union Square Hospitality Group, and Pascal Marty (right), former Winemaker of Château Mouton Rothschild. Photo was taken in 2007 at New York’s Museum of Modern Art during the launch party for the inaugural vintage of Musée.

2014 launch party for the First Crush artist series label by Mickalene Thomas. From left to right owner Michael Lynne, artist Mickalene Thomas, CEO Trent Preszler, publicist Susan Magrino,
and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson .

Michael and Ninah pose for a portrait during their
interview with the New York Post. Michael passed away in 2019
and Ninah continues his legacy as owner.