Richard Olsen-Harbich

Teaches at Astor Center

Rich has built his status as the Long Island winegrowing region’s iconic winemaker by serving as a leader and trailblazer at every stage of a 32-year career decorated with achievements. A graduate of Cornell University, in the 1980s Rich authored all three federally recognized Long Island American Viticultural Areas (AVAs). He has been the leader in using hands-on artisanal winemaking in the region and implemented many pioneering techniques, including mastering the use of ambient indigenous yeasts for natural fermentations (one of very few American winemakers doing so). In 2004 he helped found the Long Island Merlot Alliance – the first wine quality alliance on Long Island and in 2012 was the driving force behind the founding of Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing, Inc., the first third-party sustainable certification program for vineyards in Eastern North America. Today as winemaker at Bedell Cellars, his work is dedicated to producing delicious hand-crafted wines through the exploration and identification of local terroir, the use of sustainable and natural winemaking techniques and perfecting the fine art of blending.