New Winemaking Center, Wine Bar and Private Event Space Debuts in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, N.Y., July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, Brooklyn Winery opens its doors to provide the borough with its first community-oriented space where visitors can make their own wine, from crushing grapes to bottling their own private label. The 8,000 square foot facility in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood offers anyone from wine novices to vinophiles the opportunity to learn about, taste, and appreciate wine in a laid-back, approachable environment.

Leading the winemaking experience is resident Winemaker Conor McCormack, who joined Brooklyn Winery after most recently managing all aspects of wine production at San Francisco's urban winery, Crushpad. Winemaking groups will benefit from McCormack's expertise while participating in several fun and interactive "grape to glass" winemaking sessions. These hands-on sessions include crushing, pressing, racking and bottling the finished wine, along with periodic tastings as the wine ages.

Co-founders Brian Leventhal and John Stires met while working together in their previous jobs, and the two bonded over a passion for wine. With the mindset that active participation helps strengthen appreciation for any pursuit, the young entrepreneurs envisioned a down-to-earth experience where anyone interested in wine is welcome to explore, experience and engage. A year later, that vision has become a reality.  

"John and I felt that New York City was missing a place where people could learn how to make wine together in a relaxed, community-focused environment," says Brooklyn Winery co-founder and CEO Brian Leventhal. "Having made our own wine for the past three years in New Jersey, we want our patrons to feel the same satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that we felt when completing our own vintage."

"Brooklyn has some amazing locally made products," says Brooklyn Winery co-founder and President John Stires. "Now, New Yorkers will be able to enjoy wine that has been produced right in the heart of the city."

Brooklyn Winery's inaugural winemaking season begins this fall as the grapes are ready for harvest; the venue's private event space and wine bar are set to open in late 2010. After the yearlong winemaking process is complete, house-made wine will stock the wine bar and tasting room, and visitors will be able to purchase bottles to take home. Winemaker Conor McCormack has chosen a palate-pleasing selection of grapes from vineyards in New York and California, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Chardonnay and Riesling.

Brooklyn Winery offers winemaking packages to accommodate any group size or budget. Custom Barrel packages allow a group of friends, family, or co-workers to make a partial or full barrel of wine together. Each Custom Barrel package kicks off with a face-to-face barrel planning session with the winemaker before embarking on a five-session winemaking process.

Wine lovers who aren't ready to commit to making a partial or full barrel can participate in the Community Barrel package. This package allows customers to experience the winemaking process alongside other like-minded enthusiasts during four community winemaking sessions hosted by the winemaker. Brooklyn Winery is currently taking reservations for both Custom Barrel and Community Barrel packages. In addition, Brooklyn Winery is now booking private and corporate events, including winemaking, wine tasting and many other interactive and memorable experiences.

Brooklyn Winery is located at 213 North 8th Street in Brooklyn. For more information or to sign up to make your own wine, call 347-763-1506 or visit www.bkwinery.com.  Get updates from Brooklyn Winery by following http://www.twitter.com/brooklynwinery and www.facebook.com/brooklynwinery.  

SOURCE Brooklyn Winery