Dan's Rosé Soirée Countdown: Anthony Nappa

Winemaker Anthony Nappa has been a star of Long Island Wine Country for years—creating notable bottles for both Raphael in Peconic and his own North Fork label Anthony Nappa Wines. Meet him at Dan’s Rosé Soirée presented by PORSCHE and Rock Angel After Party, the official kickoff event of summer in the Hamptons on Memorial Day weekend (May 28) at the Southampton Arts Center. As he says, in addition to the East End, “in Provence, or better yet Monaco, rosé is a perfect accompaniment to summer: fresh, bright and quaffable.” Sounds about right.

A portion of proceeds from Rosé Soirée goes to benefit local National Public Radio station WPPB 88.3 FM.

What was the moment when you knew you’d have a career in wine?
I studied agriculture and eventually viticulture in collage. I grew up in Massachusetts, and after getting into the wine business I knew I wanted to be on the East Coast. The North Fork has the most unique microclimate and growing conditions, making it one of the most premier cool-climate places to make wine in the world.

My favorite dish to pair with a fine rosé is: summer backyard grilling.

What Long Island wines are currently in your home wine library?
My home library is full of Long Island wines, of course my wines and Raphael, Shinn Estate Vineyards, Macari Vineyards, Jamesport Vineyards, Lenz Winery, McCall Wines, Grapes of Roth, Leo Family Wines, Mattebella Vineyards and many more.

Why should consumers seek out local produce and wine?
Wine and food on the world market is a commodity, produced in factory farms, controlled by large corporations and imported cheaply from places with low costs. We can’t compete on price, but we can on quality. Moreover every purchase of local wine and food keeps jobs in our community, money in our local economy and land in farming and out of development. So Drink Local Wine and Eat Real Food!

What do you have in your kitchen that would make another wine or food pro jealous?
My wife Sarah is a chef and cooks very locally and seasonally. At our home farm, and through local friends, we eat almost exclusively locally grown meat, and vegetables, as well as fresh-caught seafood.

What’s special about the rosés you’re bringing to Rosé Soirée? Anything guests should taste for?
Our rosé is Pinot Noir, a pure delicious expression of the varietal.

What’s one thing you want people to know about Long Island wine?
The extremely high quality we have achieved now producing delicious wines in a broad range of styles at a great value.

Find the latest info on all of Dan’s Taste of Summer events this summer—including Dan’s Rosé Soirée Presented by Porsche, the official kickoff event of summer in the Hamptons on Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 28 at The Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton—at DansTaste.com.