Jackie Entenmann grew up in Bay Shore and East Islip bearing a famous name whose family's baked goods have been loved by New Yorkers for over 100 years.

Entenmann's Bakery, started in 1898 by Jackie's great-grandfather, William Entenmann, was sold in the late seventies. At that time, her father, Robert Entenmann, bought a potato farm on the North Fork and turned it into a thoroughbred horse farm. Through the years the family enjoyed their horses and the beauty of the area. However, the landscape was changing and the neighboring potato farms were giving way to vineyards.

Entenmann says. "Our land remained as a horse farm until the mid nineties when my father decided to plant 18 acres of vitis vinifera grapes. Over the next four years his vineyard grew to over 100 acres. While the vines were maturing, I took classes in California and worked in a winery in Massachusetts where I got invaluable experience and firsthand knowledge about how a winery operates."

Cornell Cooperative Extension Business Development Assistance

"To learn more, I became involved with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE) through their viticulture (the science and art of grape-growing) initiative directed by Alice Wise, their viticulture specialist. She helped us research our vineyard before we planted. CCE's research vineyard and winery have been tremendous resources for us."

Judi Veeck, CCE's director of public affairs & development says, "We are thrilled to have community leaders like Jackie (Entenmann) involved in the Gala. It wouldn't be where it is today if it were not for people like Jackie who have taken leadership roles to get it off the ground."

Martha Clara Vineyards, named for Jackie's grandmother who was the "matriarch of the family when we were in the bakery business," grows over a dozen types of classic European varietal grapes including Chardonnay, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. Each year since 2000, Martha Clara wines have won numerous awards, most recently the 2007 San Francisco Chronicle gold for their 2004 Himmel, a dessert wine. At the 2006 Tasters Guild International Competition their 2004 Gewurztraminer and 2004 Himmel both garnered gold awards.

"Planting different vines is sort of a work in progress to find out what grows best on Long Island. As far as winemaking is concerned, our region is still young," says Entenmann who sits on the Board of Directors of the Long Island Wine Council and on the New York Wine and Grape Foundation Board.

She adds, "I have a lot of close friends in the industry and, although we are in competition to some extent, I think it is really important for all of us (Long Island winemakers) to come together as a whole to promote the region as a year-round tourist destination like Napa Valley."

Entenmann Receives Recognition and Awards

Martha Clara Vineyards received the 2005 Long Island Association's Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award in agriculture in recognition of its corporate growth, prosperity and community service to Long Island.

Entenmann earned her Bachelor of Science in Communications from Boston University in 1991. They honored her last year with an alumni award for career achievement and service to BU. After a brief stint in the press office of United States Senator Alfonse D'Amato, she got a Master of Arts degree in Marketing from Emerson College, a degree put to good use every day in her savvy marketing and sales promotions for Martha Clara. In 1994, Entenmann worked on the gubernatorial campaign of George Pataki and, after his victory, took a post in his administration as a special events coordinator.

A long-time activist for health and environmental issues, in 2005, the Metropolitan Foundation named Entenmann Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in recognition for her compassion and commitment to the environment and the fight against breast cancer. She serves her Long Island community as a Director on the Peconic Bay Medical Center Hospital Foundation Board in Riverhead.

Winemakers Wed

This past January, Entenmann married Jason Damianos whose family started Pindar Vineyards over 25 years ago, now Long Island's largest winery. Jason's father, Dr. Dan Damianos, named his Peconic winery (and one of his sons) for the Greek poet, Pindar, drawing on Robert Louis Stevenson's observation that "wine is like poetry." It has the power to raise the spirit and satisfy the soul. Pindar wines have won many awards, but the highlight for Dr. Damianos was when the wines were served at the inauguration of former President George Bush in 1988.

The family also owns Duck Walk Vineyards in Water Mill and they are building a facility east of Pindar slated to become a second Duck Walk perhaps to be known as Duck Walk North.

Jason Damianos studied winemaking at the University of Bordeaux after gaining his second B.S. in Enology (Fermentation Science) at the University of California Ñ his first B.S./ B.A. degree was in Business Administration. In California, he received the coveted merit award given to only one Enology student per year. With that education, he wanted to return to Long Island and plant a world class vineyard to put what he learned to the test. His 20-acre vineyard, Jason's Vineyard, in Jamesport, is closely planted using the best French clones of Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay. This tight spacing allows grapes to mature earlier, producing higher quality grapes at optimum levels.

Regarding plans to join forces with her husband for a wine of their own, Entenmann says, "Jason and I are both very dynamic, creative people and the wheels are always turning. We have a lot of ideas for the future."

Entenmann and CCE's The Good Earth Gala

Entenmann is particularly pleased to be working on CCE's The Good Earth Gala, a benefit celebrating 90 years of service to foster vibrant communities, healthy families and a clean environment. The event gives her the opportunity to honor her longtime colleague, Steve Mudd of Mudd Vineyards.

She says, "We in the wine business on Long Island are all indebted to Steve for just how far he's come in showing us the way. East End wineries have become Ôa destination.' At present, he's a consultant for us. It's a nice synergy that I am able to be on the gala committee and am able to present him with this award."

In addition to David and Steve Mudd of Mudd Vineyards, gala honorees, first recipients of CCE's "Stewards of the Good Earth" award, include Isabella Rossellini and Jim and Mark Miller of Miller Environmental Group. Co-chairs for the event are Leila Zogby and Flora Garsten and honorary chairs are Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, Senator Kenneth P. LaValle and Dr. Shirley Robinson Pippins, president of Suffolk County Community College. For tickets and sponsorship information call Judi Veeck at 631-727-7850 x 372 or jlv13@cornell.edu.