NINAH Lynne
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Owner

As owner, Ninah continues the storied legacy of her husband, Michael, who passed away in 2019 after a lifetime of success in wine, food, theater, film, and art. She previously held positions on the board of Lincoln Center Theater in New York City, and as President of American Friends of the Israel Museum. Her late husband Michael was Chairman and C.E.O. of New Line Cinema for 28 years. He produced and distributed films such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Austin Powers, Sex and the City, and Nightmare on Elm Street. He was also an esteemed contemporary art collector and Trustee of New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

Peter Gundersen
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CEO

Peter is a native North Forker who joined Bedell as the Director of Operations in 2011. Known for his professionalism and meticulous organizational skills, he has played a pivotal role in the company’s success across various departments over the past decade, from enhancing the Wine Club’s efficiency to managing the estate’s beautiful grounds. Notably he orchestrated the innovative redesign and rejuvenation of the Corey Creek property, adopting a cozy, vineyard-inspired nautical aesthetic. Pete lives in East Marion and enjoys traveling abroad and boating in his spare time.

Marin Brennan
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Winemaker

Marin came to Bedell while receiving her BA in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University in 2010. While she initially worked in the tasting room, her passion and curiosity for wine knowledge led Winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich to invite her to join the harvest team. She became Assistant Winemaker in 2016, and in 2019, launched a new line of boutique wines for Corey Creek while earning a certificate in enology from Washington State University. These Small Batch wines were an immediate success and in 2022 she was featured in Martha Stewart Living for her White Cabernet Franc, which received a stellar 93 points. The following year her foraged, sea-shell aged Chardonnay, Coquillage, was awarded 94 points – the highest score ever for a dry white wine from Long Island. A 94 rating in 2023 for her Malbec Rosé solidified her status as one of Long Islands’ most talented and exciting up-and-coming winemakers. In 2024, after 12 years honing her craft, she was promoted to Winemaker for both Bedell Cellars, and Corey Creek, continuing the Bedell legacy of creating unique, terroir driven wines of the highest quality.

DEB STROUP
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VINEYARD MANAGER

After graduating from Buffalo State, Deb realized she had a passion for growing things. She followed her instincts, pursuing horticultural opportunities across the country - but ultimately returned to her North Fork roots, managing the vineyard at Lenz before she came to Bedell in 2017. Since then, her wealth of experience and innovative use of emerging viticultural technology has elevated our growing program and enhanced our wines.

EMMETT PHINNEY
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ASSISSTANT VINEYARD MANAGER

After Graduating from Stonybrook University with a degree in Environmental Studies, Emmett managed farms in South Huntington & Connecticut before returning to his native Long Island and breaking into the North Fork Wine Industry. Having managed the vineyard at fellow LISW member Pellegrini since 2023 Emmett now brings a wealth of practical knowledge and passion for sustainable winegrowing to Bedell.

DELANEY ALLEN
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DIRECTOR OF WEDDINGS & EVENTS

Delaney, a North Fork native, joined the Bedell team in 2017 as a summer employee with the wedding department.  Delaney graduated from Johnson and Wales University in 2019 where she played collegiate tennis and studied Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management.  Many internships later, Delaney fell in love with the wedding industry.  After college, she moved back home and in 2021 became the Event Manager full-time at Bedell Cellars.  On her off days she enjoys spending time with her family and her dog Serena.

ANGELA EISSLER
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Director of Wine Club & Direct to Consumer Sales

Angela joined Bedell in 2005 as a Tasting Room Associate and has contributed to several departments of the company over the last 20 years, currently serving in the role of Director of Wine Club and DTC sales. In 2019, she represented Long Island as one of 38 females selected nationwide to be a Tribe 1 Member of the Dream Big Darling Organization in Paso Robles, CA. Outside of work, Angela enjoys spending time with her husband Bobby and their two children, Matthew and Madeline.

Steve Carlson
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Director of Digital Marketing

Steve grew up in bucolic upstate New York and became interested in the local wine industry during his undergraduate years at Cornell, tucked away in the heart of the Fingerlakes region. He is among the first official graduates of Cornell’s renowned Enology and Viticulture program. Having previously worked several harvests in the Fingerlakes and Long Island, he has since turned his passion towards the marketing of premium cool climate wines and sustainability in his home state.

JACK BRENNEN
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TASTING ROOM MANAGER

Jack brings a wealth of wine knowledge and hospitality expertise to the tasting rooms at Bedell Cellars and Corey Creek. Holding a WSET Level 2 certification, Jack has built his career around creating exceptional guest experiences and sharing his passion for wine. Prior to joining our team, Jack served as Director of Hospitality at Peconic Bay Vineyards and held various roles at Sparkling Pointe. His combination of industry expertise, dedication to service, and enthusiasm for wine makes him a valued member of our team.

Jack attended the University of New Hampshire and raced with the collegiate sailing team while earning his Bachelors degree in Hospitality and Hotel Management. He is currently pursuing an MBA in Hospitality Administration at Johnson & Wales University.

Matthew Rizzo
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Director of Sales

Matthew joined the Bedell Cellars team in 2003 as a seasonal employee, while attending the University of Massachusetts. Since joining the Bedell team, Matthew’s role with the winery has grown along with his knowledge of wine. Matthew has flourished in his new position as Director of Sales, a role which requires him to be a perpetual motion machine, constantly on the road bringing his affable charm to Bedell’s dedicated wholesale customers.

Elizabeth Hudson
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SALES ManAger

Elizabeth joined Bedell Cellars in 2017, where she spent nearly a decade leading the tasting rooms at both Bedell and Corey Creek, elevating the guest experience and sharing her passion for North Fork wines.

Now in Wholesale Sales, Elizabeth brings her deep knowledge of the Bedell portfolio, strong industry relationships, and customer-focused approach to partnering with retailers and restaurants.  She is passionate about connecting people with the wines and stories that make the North Fork unique. Elizabeth lives on the North Fork with her husband and their two children, who affectionately refer to Bedell as "the grape farm."

Kathy Falbo, CSW
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SALES MANAGER

Growing up on Long Island, family weekends for Kathy often meant a drive “out east” to the Hamptons or Shelter Island during the nascent years of the Long Island wine industry. After a vacation trip to Napa, she finally caught the wine bug and began taking classes with the Society of Wine Educators in NYC. and later, visiting tasting rooms on the North Fork every chance she got. Kathy is a CSW and her passion for local wine and food is a boon to Bedell’s wholesale team.