Sponsors line up in support of the First Long Island Wine classic at 2003 Hampton Classic

Wine Spectator is title Sponsor of Wine and Culinary Celebration Benefiting Eastern Long Island Hospitals

Greenport and Bridgehampton, New York, July 28, 2003: The inaugural Long Island Wine Classic, scheduled for Saturday, August 23 as the kick-off to the Hampton Classic Horse Show, is attracting both national and Long Island sponsors, joint presenters of the event, the Long Island Wine Council and the Hampton Classic, announced today. Internationally renowned wine magazine Wine Spectator is the title sponsor and Bridgehampton National Bank was the first local sponsor to come on board, underlining its commitment to its Long Island market.

The first food and wine event on this scale in the Hamptons will be presented in the VIP tents on the lush green showgrounds of the Hampton Classic in Bridgehampton, New York, and will benefit the three eastern Long Island hospitals – Central Suffolk, Eastern Long Island and Southampton.

At the Grand Tasting from 5-7 p.m., wine lovers will enjoy the opportunity to taste wines from 28 Long Island wineries in crystal glasses provided by Bohemia-based Riedel Crystal USA. Riedel will also provide the glassware for the gala dinner from 7-10 p.m. Fiji Water is the official still water provider and San Pellegrino is sponsoring the sparkling water.

HADCO, national distributor for Bosch Refrigerators and U-Line Wine Coolers, will be the Wine Classic’s official appliance provider and has generously donated some major appliances for the high-end live auction lots being presented at the dinner.

In addition to Bridgehampton National Bank and Riedel Crystal, the growing roster of Long Island-based sponsors includes: Banfi Vintners, Del Labs of Farmingdale, Eagle Auto Mall in Riverhead, Bedell Cellars/Corey Creek Vineyards, Holmes Yacht, and Wölffer Estate Vineyard & Stables.

“We are extremely grateful to these Founding Sponsors as it is always a bold step to support something new,” said Jane Baxter Lynn, executive director, Long Island Wine Council. “The quality of sponsors supporting this inaugural Long Island Wine Classic underlines our wine region’s growing recognition and, in the case of the Long Island sponsors, a commitment toward supporting local hospitals.”

Wine Spectator has supported the Long Island wine industry’s events for many years, having previously sponsored the wine region’s popular Barrel Tastings and participated in its annual Windows on Long Island Wine, held in Manhattan each spring for the past 13 years.

Baxter Lynn added: “There are still some great opportunities for sponsorship available and we look forward to more companies signing up before the event — now just four weeks away.” Interested companies or individuals may contact Michael Howell, sponsor coordinator for the event, at 631-537-3177.

For further information and to purchase tickets visit the event’s website at www.liwineclassic.com or call the Hampton Classic at 631-537-3177.

The Wine Spectator’s Long Island Wine Classic on August 23, 2003, is a two-part event featuring a Grand Tasting with food from renowned Long Island and Manhattan restaurants paired with more than 100 Long Island wines from 28 Long Island wineries. This will be followed by a gourmet dinner and spectacular live auction all at the Hampton Classic Showgrounds. Cost: $400 for Dinner & Grand Tasting package and $150 for the Grand Tasting only. Proceeds to benefit three eastern Long Island hospitals - Central Suffolk, Eastern Long Island and Southampton. For further information and tickets visit www.liwineclassic.com or call 631-537-3177. The Long Island Wine Classic is the kick off party for the 28th annual Hampton Classic Horse Show, an internationally renowned hunter and jumper competition from junior levels through Olympic caliber jumpers, which runs from August 24-31, 2003 and benefits the Southampton Hospital.