Cookin' in the 'Cuse

Two for the Newt: Support Red Newt Cellars and Buy Their Wine

Join me, Edible Finger Lakes, and other Finger Lakes wine lovers and show some love and support for Red Newt Cellars in the days following the death of co-owner Deb Whiting and the ongoing recovery of her husband and winery co-owner David.  The idea is simple--let's buy their wine.  Stock your cellar, share some with friends, enjoy some with dinner.  My friend Michael Warren Thomas, who covers the food scene in Rochester wrote me this afternoon and asked me to spread the word about this effort--I hope you'll help me pass the word as well:

The Finger Lakes lost an incredible ambassador and culinary leader on Thursday when Deb Whiting, Executive Chef of Red Newt Bistro & Winery died in a car accident.  Her husband Dave, the Winemaker for Red Newt, survived the accident and has been released from the hospital.  The winery & bistro both remain open, although they will close for one day, Tuesday, July 5th.   www.RedNewt.com

In situations like this people search for ways to help.  Red Newt will get lots of cards and prayers, but what if the stores couldn't keep the wine on their shelves this week?  I see it as a big Thank You to Deb for her countless hundreds of hours working to promote local foods and the Finger Lakes in general, and an especially crucial message of support for Dave.  If the email reaches 1,200 people and they each buy 2 bottles at their nearest store - that would be 200 cases of wine.  I'll bet they would notice that jump in sales, and perhaps some of those people will buy a 6-12 bottles.  You might want to call your favorite wine store to make sure they still have some!

I bought a case of different Red Newt wines, and will enjoy them this summer.  How many bottles could the wine stores sell in the next week as word gets out?  Buy a couple of bottles and perhaps give someone a bottle - you don't have to tell them why, perhaps just as a thank you to them for being a good neighbor.  Deb and Dave have touched so many lives in the region and the entire state.   Thank you for considering this as a way to send the winery and restaurant the message that we value what they have done and will support them in the future. 

Michael Warren Thomas

Debra Whiting: The world will be a lot less delightful & delicious without you.

Deb and Dave Whiting of Red Newt Cellars and Bistro helped change the view of the Finger Lakes as a place for wine only.  Thanks to their pioneering efforts our wine region became a place where you might go just for the food.  The death of Deb Whiting in yesterday's car accident is a great loss.  And I don't just mean locally--Deb was known, loved, and admired far and wide. 

I didn't know her well--but whenever I saw her at the Bistro or at dinners like last fall's harvest dinner at Creekside Meadows Farm in Tully--I found her to be as engaging, genuine, and fun as could be.  She worked hard and she leaves behind, all too soon, an incredible legacy.

Of course, Deb was also many other things and in these days I bid your prayers, good vibes and wishes for her beloved husband and partner Dave.  Recent reports say he is in stable condition and I hope his recovery is speedy.  But my heart aches for him in his personal loss.