Marin Brennan Named Winemaker at Bedell Cellars and Corey Creek Tap Room
Predecessor and mentor Rich Olsen-Harbich to become Director of Winemaking
As you’ve probably noticed, I don’t really do newsy stuff with this newsletter. With a full-time day job, busy family life, etc. — it’s rare that I can be timely enough with news items to really “break” any news or bring much value.
But there are exceptions, and today’s announcement that Marin Brennan has been named winemaker at Bedell Cellars is one such exception.
If you’ve been reading The Cork Report for very long, you’ve read about Marin’s small-batch wines that she’s made for Bedell’s Corey Creek tasting room. If you’re in my wine club, you’ve gotten to taste them for yourself too.
Now, I’m curious to see where she takes the core portfolio — which is already among the best on the East Coast — in the coming years.
Marin’s predecessor and mentor, veteran Long Island winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich, remains at Bedell as Director of Winemaking. Rich has long been a bit of a mentor for me too. When I first started tasting and learning about Long Island wine, I learned more from him than anyone.
The full press release is below.
New Winemaker Appointed at Bedell Cellars: Marin Brennan
For Immediate Release (February 26th, 2024, Cutchogue, NY)
Bedell Cellars (www.bedellcellars.com), a leading winery on the North Fork of Long Island, is pleased to announce the promotion of Marin Brennan to the position of Winemaker for Bedell Cellars and Corey Creek Tap Room.
Brennan, who joined the Bedell winemaking team in 2011, has emerged as a rising star in the North Fork winemaking scene. Her journey saw her appointed as the winemaker at Corey Creek Tap Room in 2019, where she introduced the highly successful Small Batch, a collection of boutique wines produced in limited quantities. Brennan gained national recognition in 2022 when her White Cabernet Franc earned an impressive 93 points, as featured in Martha Stewart Living. The following year, her Coquillage, a wild foraged, sea-shell aged Chardonnay, achieved an outstanding 94 points—the highest score ever for a dry white wine from Long Island. In 2023, her Malbec Rosé received a 94 rating, further solidifying her position as one of Long Island's most talented winemakers.
Expressing her excitement about the promotion, Brennan said, "This has been an exhilarating journey, and it's truly an honor to carry forward the rich legacy of Bedell Cellars. We've always been dedicated to quality, and I'm enthusiastic about continuing our long tradition of crafting unique terroir wines from the North Fork."
Brennan will collaborate closely with her longtime mentor, wine industry pioneer, and author Richard Olsen-Harbich, who assumes the role of Director of Winemaking for the Bedell estate. Together, they have produced over forty wines scoring 90 points or higher in just over a decade. “Marin's time at Bedell has been marked by her unwavering dedication and remarkable aptitude,” says Olsen-Harbich. “Her consistent work and the exceptional quality of the wines she has produced over the years have set a high standard. Marin will not only uphold but further enhance our tradition of crafting outstanding wines of consistent quality.”
About Bedell Cellars:
Bedell Cellars is a pioneering winery on the North Fork of Long Island, nationally recognized for its wines and commitment to sustainable farming practices. A founding member of Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing, Bedell is a trailblazer in adopting ecologically sensitive and sustainable viticultural practices. With over 40 years of tradition, critically acclaimed blends, and some of the oldest grapevines in the region, Bedell remains at the forefront of creativity and excellence in the American wine industry.
Bedell Contact Information: Bedellcellars.com / 631-734-7537
About Corey Creek Tap Room:
Corey Creek Tap Room offers a cozy-chic tasting experience nestled in the picturesque North Fork. Winemaker Marin Brennan employs innovative techniques to create new wines each vintage, alongside some local staples. All wines are crafted from hand-picked sustainable fruit and fermented with indigenous yeast.
Corey Creek Contact Information: coreycreektaproom.com / 631.765.4168