The history of Long Island wineries began in 1973, when the first commercial vineyard was planted. This smart investment is what allows New Yorkers today the ability to enjoy locally grown, hand pressed wines. There are now over 50 Long Island wineries and vineyards ranging over 3000 acres of land, covering both eastern forks. Because of this range, the Long Island wine industry has the capability to annually produce three million bottles of wine. Tours and tastings help promote the fresh products created on the vineyards, displaying the variety of grapes that give the area its success. Macari Vineyards is one of the Long Island wineries which show wine enthusiasts what many local wine producers provide.

One of the best compliments to local Long Island wine is gourmet Italian cooking. The natural flavors and simple cooking techniques it involves allow Italian fare to match up nicely with the complex flavors that can be found in wine. In New York, many Italian chefs can offer advice on how to pair specific meals with specific wine varieties because appreciating the flavor of fine wine is engrained in the Italian culture. An example of this is seen in celebrity chef Nick Stellino, who values the importance of every aspect of a meal. The wine appreciation that he exhibits can be attributed to a desirable factor of chefs: to integrate outside cultural influences in their work.Nick Stellino shows this worldly knowledge beyond of the realm of cooking through getting involved in many passionate projects, such as becoming a luxury watch ambassador.

With only a little research, you can find the best combination of delicious Italian cooking and Long Island wine. In New York, the resources available to create this arrangement are numerous. In fact, it’s not uncommon for wineries to hold events that merge them together. Between the creative Italian chefs cooking in New York City and the 51 local producers of Long Island wine, you can effortlessly pair the two. Discover the deliciously matched combination that New York proudly presents.

JASPER’S TOMATO, GRILLED ASPARAGUS AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD WITH GRILLED CHICKEN                

SERVES 4

Coat the chicken breasts with the extra light olive oil and season with cracked black pepper and kosher salt. Grill on a charcoal grill or in a grill pan until the chicken is cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Remove the chicken breasts from the heat and slice each into 6 to 8 pieces.

To prepare the grilled asparagus:
Marinate the asparagus in the extra virgin olive oil and season with cracked black pepper and kosher salt. Grill over an open flame for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve warm.

To prepare the roast shallot-black pepper vinaigrette:
Cut off the top of the head of garlic and peel the shallots. To roast the garlic and shallots, brush with extra virgin olive oil and place in a baking dish in an oven preheated to 375 degrees. Roast until soft, approximately 35 to 40 minutes

In a medium bowl, mix ½ cup extra virgin olive oil and both vinegars. After the garlic and shallots cool, squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins, and chop and mash them into a paste together with the shallots. Add the garlic-and-shallots paste to the rest of the ingredients, mix, and season with kosher salt. 

To serve:
On each plate lay out the tomato slices with the grilled asparagus in a nice arrangement. Arrange the slices of chicken breast on the plate next to the tomatoes. Sprinkle the Maytag blue cheese over the top of the salad, and garnish with the red-onion rings and basil. Drizzle 2 ounces of the vinaigrette over each salad

Maurice Lacroix is a brand of luxury watches that are hand crafted and Swiss made. Watches with a Maurice Lacroix label have a high level of prestige and exclusivity that make the brand stand out from its competitors on both a national and international mechanical watch market.

Officially starting in small workshops in Switzerland in 1975, the Maurice Lacroix brand has now expanded to include sales in over 45 countries. Although the company prides itself on using time-tested, Swiss watchmaking techniques, modern technologies and updated methods of testing are constantly being applied to the production of watches. The Swiss made watches are only sold at specifically selected retail locations and cannot be bought online. This exclusivity adds to the allure of the luxury watches, as their quality is too high for the majority of watch retailers.

The precision and detail that is put into each timepiece shows the level of knowledge and passion that a Maurice Lacroix watchmaker captures. Each mechanical watch is made in the company’s independent manufacturing workshops, a rare quality of designer watches today. Over the years, the company has occasionally shifted its area of focus from, for example, perfecting the construction of a mechanical watch movement to mastering precise retrograde timepiece displays. There are seven collections of Swiss made watches from Maurice Lacroix: Calypso, Divina, Les Classiques, Masterpiece, Miros, Pontos and Selena. Some of the timepiece collections are specifically designed for women, while others focus on an innovative design introduced by the brand. Regardless of the watchmaker’s design for each collection, the intricate details of each timepiece are apparent to the naked eye. The fine craftsmanship of each mechanical watch is one of the key points of differentiation for Maurice Lacroix.

The brand routinely seeks out ambassadors who sensibly relate to the luxury watches and can represent the collections with respect. The list of trusted, knowledgeable ambassadors include tennis star Roger Federer, celebrity chef Nick Stellino, and professional golfer Justin Rose. The celebrity ambassadors all have a personal connection to the brand, whether it is through a Swiss heritage or a passion for collecting watches. The ambassadors can proudly describe the art of watchmaking that is exhibited by Maurice Lacroix and promote the luxury watches with pride.

Take a look at this great recipe from Nick…are you grilling tonight?

GRILLED SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE Chef Nick Stellino SERVES 4 TO 6 

Brush the radicchio, endive and peppers with 4 tablespoons olive oil. Cook on a hot barbecue or under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until they start to color on each side. Place on a cutting board while still hot and cut into 1-inch pieces. Place the arugula salad and the goat cheese in a bowl with the radicchio, endive and peppers, and mix well until the cheese starts to melt. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and the balsamic vinegar, mix well, and serve.

A Maurice Lacroix watch embodies the high quality production and workmanship that is truly appreciated by timepiece collectors. The intricate details and composition of each collection set the brand apart from other luxury watches. Each hand assembled movement displays a thorough knowledge and a true appreciation for perfection in keeping time. 1995 marked the first sale of a Maurice Lacriox watch in the United States and the brand has increasingly been gaining respect since then. The workmanship of the luxury watches has been continuously supported by respected watch collectors, such as the celebrity chef, Nick Stellino.

Before his infatuation with food began, Nick Stellino had a passion for watches. As a child growing up in Italy, Stellino would wait up for his father to come home just for the opportunity to wind his mechanical watch. Because of that childhood memory, watches became one of his hobbies. Today, Stellino proclaims watches to be one of the three things he is truly passionate about, along with family and food.

Over the years, an interest in timepieces transformed Nick Stellino into a watch expert. He has grown to appreciate the details in design that the average person might overlook, but a watch connoisseur can fully appreciate. His obvious passion has brought him into his role as an ambassador for Maurice Lacroix. Masterpiece collection watches, specifically, are a self-proclaimed favorite for the chef, as he loves each hand decorated detail and movement found within. Stellino has owned numerous luxury watches made by the Swiss brand and has declared his current Maurice Lacroix watch a good luck charm for his latest television series. Today, Nick Stellino travels the country promoting Maurice Lacroix. Masterpiece, Intuition, and Sphere are just some of the collections the brand holds, all with deserving representation by the celebrity chef.

Included in his upcoming schedule of events is a September 13 appearance in Huntington, Long Island, at Maddaloni Jewelers. Nick Stellino will not only be showcasing his favorite luxury watches, but will be displaying his gourmet grilling skills and signing cookbooks. At Maddaloni Jewelers, Stellino will be accompanied by a Maurice Lacroix watch technician to answer any questions about the brand and assist you in any timepiece needs. With specifically trained technicians and Swiss-manufactured restoration equipment, Maddaloni Jewelers services and sells watches with the same precision and passion that the luxury watches deserve.

On September 13, 2009 from 12pm-5pm, join Nick Stellino at Maddaloni Jewelers. Listen to him describe the luxury watches and his contagious enthusiasm for the timekeepers will be apparent.