By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor

Last year's HARVEST East End was a fun, successful event that raised $60,000 for the Peconic Land Trust and East End Hospice. This year they've added Group for the East End as a beneficiary, and with more groups to support, they've expanded the programing as well — from one weekend to three.

HARVEST East End as also been established as a 501(c)(3) charity.

Organized by The Long Island Merlot Alliance and Long Island Wine Council, this year's event will be presented by FOOD & WINE, replacing the Wine Spectator. The New York Cork Report is also a regional media sponsor this year.

This year's even will kick off with "Wine Salon" programs on Saturday, September 3, 10 and 17, progressing through the exclusive 10-Mile Dinners in private homes on Friday, September 16, and culminating in the "Fall for Long Island Festival Tasting and Harvest Moon Gala and Live Auction" of Long Island Wines on Saturday, September 17, at the beautiful Ludlow Farm overlooking Mecox Bay.

As an added bonus, organizers announced this week that, as a part of the Fall for Long Island Festival Tasting, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, Long Island winemakers will be pouring barrel samples of their 2010 reds.

You can visit the event website for a full list of Salons, 10-Mile Dinners, and the Festival Tasting. Or, to order your tickets today.

If, for one reason or another, you'd like to hear what I think about the state of wine and writing, I'd invite you to join me at a Salon event on Saturday, September 17 at 10 a.m. titled "Pen and Palate: Wine and Food Writers from Long Island" Where we will attempt to answer questions like "What does it take to be a wine and/or food writer?" "How do they find the words to describe the flavors they encounter?" and "What is their benchmark for a successful glass or meal?"

Bonnie Grice of 88.3FM WPPB will moderate the panel, which will include me, Michael Braverman (Hamptons Magazine), Amy Zavatto (Edible East End, Edible Brooklyn, Edible Manhattan, Every Day with Rachel Ray and more), and Erin Fitzpatrick (“Unfiltered” on Heritage Radio Network)