ABOUT CAB FRANC FORWARD NY
A winery-led initiative uniting producers from the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley, and Long Island to champion Cabernet Franc as New York’s premier red grape.
Cab Franc Forward NY is a winery-founded and led initiative dedicated to elevating Cabernet Franc as New York State’s defining red grape. Bringing together producers, educators, and industry leaders from the Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley, and Long Island, the collective promotes a unified message around one of New York’s greatest agricultural and viticultural success stories.
Cabernet Franc has deep roots in New York. The earliest plantings were established in the Finger Lakes, followed by the Hudson Valley and Long Island in the 1980s. These pioneering vineyards demonstrated the grape’s ability to thrive across the state’s growing regions. In the decades that followed, Cabernet Franc has become an expression of New York terroir, producing wines that balance freshness, structure, and complexity while conveying each region’s unique character.
Today, Cabernet Franc is New York’s most widely planted red vinifera grape, with 638 acres under vine across the state. Its versatility in the vineyard and cellar has made it a favorite among growers and winemakers. Renowned for elegant, medium-bodied reds with vibrant acidity, bright fruit, and savory herbal notes, Cabernet Franc also excels in rosé and sparkling styles. This adaptability highlights New York’s terroir and ensures the grape’s appeal across a wide range of occasions, cuisines, and consumer preferences. The result is a diverse portfolio that resonates with sommeliers, retailers, and wine lovers alike.
Cab Franc Forward NY was founded to build greater awareness of this variety and the regions that produce it. Through educational seminars, trade and consumer tastings, media outreach, restaurant partnerships, and industry collaborations, the initiative works to strengthen New York Cabernet Franc's market visibility while highlighting New York’s position as the third-largest wine-producing state in the United States.
The collective also serves as a platform that connects audiences with the people and agricultural traditions behind the wines. By uniting wineries from three distinct regions under a unified banner, Cab Franc Forward NY showcases the diversity and shared identity that make New York a compelling wine destination.
Through collaborative marketing, education, and advocacy, Cab Franc Forward NY continues advancing Cabernet Franc's reputation while spotlighting the quality, diversity, and innovation that define New York wine. The initiative exemplifies how regional cooperation strengthens awareness, expands market opportunities, and elevates an entire category on the national stage.
THE FOUNDING COMMITTEE
OUR WINERY PARTNERS
Through education, tastings, and industry partnerships, the collective showcases the quality, diversity, and growing national recognition of New York Cabernet Franc.
MEET THE TEAM
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GABRIELLA MACARI MW
CO-FOUNDER | WINE CONSULTANT & EDUCATOR
Gabriella Macari is a Master of Wine, one of just 60 in the US and 400 worldwide, and an independent consultant and educator based in New York. She grew up at her family's vineyard on the North Fork of Long Island, where she was exposed to wine at a young age.After graduating from Fordham University, she worked in wine communications and education for global brands and regional initiatives. She then returned to Macari Vineyards, where she led multifaceted vineyard and winery operations, transforming the brand into one of the premier producers in the Eastern United States. At Cab Franc Forward, Gabriella works to bring New York Cabernet Franc to a wider audience.
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MAX ROHN
CO-FOUNDER | CEO, WÖLFFER ESTATE VINEYARD
Since 2013, Max Rohn brings a global perspective and a restless curiosity to Wölffer Estate as CEO. Alongside his wife, Joey Wölffer, and brother-in-law, Marc Wölffer, he has helped grow the winery from a beloved Hamptons original into a wine, cider, and hospitality brand known well beyond Long Island's East End.Max focuses on the business behind the wine: building the team, sharpening the strategy, and investing in the estate's legacy of winemaking, hospitality, and invention. He holds a degree in Computer Science from Vanderbilt University and an MBA in Marketing from NYU Stern. As co-founder of Cab Franc Forward NY, Max brings his passion to energizing the world around NY Cabernet Franc.
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MARY ANNE SULLIVAN
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Mary Anne Sullivan is a communications strategist with two decades of experience creating revenue growth and awareness for luxury brands and high-end experiences. Known for her ability to identify compelling stories and forge impactful partnerships, she has led brand-defining initiatives for companies including Terlato, where her creative approach secured exclusivity in AmEx Centurion Lounges and launched record-breaking Wine.com campaigns.Mary Anne continues to advise wine and luxury brands globally, recognized for her talent in transforming brand narratives into timely, relevant stories that resonate and drive results.
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CAMILLE ENRIQUEZ
MARKETING & PRODUCTION MANAGER
Camille Enriquez manages event production, brand activations, and digital storytelling to help elevate New York Cabernet Franc. Growing up near Napa Valley sparked her early interest in wine, and ultimately led her to transition into the industry after a decade driving strategy, talent, and organizational growth at companies including Meta and Goldman Sachs.A UC Berkeley graduate with a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines, Camille brings operational rigor, technical knowledge, and creative vision to build community and scale the market presence of New York wine.
