Jazz Guitarist And Yankee Great Bernie Williams To Perform At Millbrook Winery
Legendary centerfielder Bernie Williams brings jazz and a new bottle of wine to Millbrook Winery August 3.
Legendary New York Yankees center fielder-turned-accomplished-jazz-musician Bernie Williams will be returning to perform an outdoor concert at Millbrook Vineyards and Winery on Saturday, August 3. Williams developed an unexpected relationship with the vinyard four years ago when he rode his motorcycle there on a whim. Now, along with playing guitar atop the rolling hills for the third consecutive year, Williams is also continuing his collaboration with the winery to make his annual Bernie’s Blend vintage, the latest of which will be released during the upcoming event “Bernie Williams Jazz in the Vineyard!”
Standard lawn ($60) and VIP seating and meet-and-greet tickets ($250) for the event, which starts at 6 p.m. with a performance by Millbrook Jazz Saturday staple Larry Ham, are available online. Portions of the proceeds are going to supporting the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM).
"Working with Millbrook Winery continues to be an incredible journey,” says Williams. “Just as with music and baseball, crafting a fine wine requires patience, dedication, and passion to create excellence. I have learned so much from the winemakers at Millbrook. I am very proud of our collaborations, and so excited about our new blend being released in August. It’s such a joy to create something that brings pleasure to so many people.”
Williams retired from baseball in 2006 after 16 years as a standout player during an iconic period of Yankees history, which included four World Series wins. After leaving the sport, despite all his success, Williams honored a promise made to his mother as a youth and went to college. Already an avid guitar player, Williams received a BA in jazz performance from the Manhattan School of Music and has since built a music career that puts passion and curiosity before profit.
Millbrook Winery General Manager David Bova said Williams has taken a similar approach to winemaking, combining the disciplined fastidiousness of an athlete and the whimsicality of an improvisational musician to make a wine that speaks to his creative personality.
“Bernie is truly the salt of the earth,” Bova said. “One of the nicest guys I’ve ever met and really smart about the creative process. Over the years he’s taken more and more of an interest in it. He’s not doing it for business. He’s doing it because he loves it.”
Williams worked closely with Millbrook Winery’s head winemaker, Ian Bearup, to build a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc that Bova says is the best yet and ages well. He suggests concert attendants buy two bottles — one for the glass and one for the cellar.
“Bernie and I share a respect for the craft of winemaking,” said Bearup. “Each year our collaboration deepens, resulting in an exceptional and unique wine, which is reflected beautifully in this year’s vintage.”
Bova said it’s been rewarding to watch Williams develop his skill as a winemaker over the past three years.
The bottles also once again feature custom artwork created by Williams’ daughter, Brooklyn-based artist Beatriz Williams. The label artwork depicts a still life of some of her father’s favorite things — baseball, music, and wine. Signed prints of the artwork will be for sale at the winery the evening of the concert.
Bernie Williams Jazz in the Vineyard!
Millbrook Vineyards and Winery
26 Wing Road, Millbrook, NY
(845) 677-8383
