FORESTVILLE, NY (October 31, 2011) - While it would seem as though the approaching fall season would be a "winding-down" time for Merritt Estate Winery's event calendar, the time for planning and preparation for the 2012 season is just beginning. The busy organization has recently filled the position of event coordinator, adding even more experience and expertise to their staff.

            Jason Carr, a Hamburg native and graduate of SUNY Oswego's Public Relations and Mass Communications program, has been appointed as event coordinator. Carr will manage the booking, planning and catering for all events held at the winery. These events include the winery's annual Strawberry Festival and Septemberfest, weddings and private parties. He will also handle these aspects for some of Merritt's off premise events including Harvest and Winemakers dinners.

            Carr has previous professional experience working as a Sous Chef at the Avanti Mansion in Blasdell, NY. His in depth understanding of catering practices combined with a background in the field of communications makes Carr a perfect fit for the position. "I am excited to be working for Merritt Estate Winery", said Carr. "While I have gained important professional experience in my past positions, I cannot wait to discover the wealth of knowledge and opportunity waiting for me at such an established organization like Merritt."

            Outdoor weddings and events have grown tremendously in popularity over the past year as the environmental movement continues to gain momentum. The floral garden and vineyard landscapes found at Merritt Estate Winery provide a unique background for weddings and special events. The winery is currently in the process of booking events for the 2012 season and still has many prime weekends available. A list of all available weekends and catering information can be found on the Merritt Estate Winery web site, listed below. For more information on holding your event at Merritt or for additional booking and catering questions, please contact Jason Carr at 888-965-4800 or email him directly at catering@merrittestatewinery.com.

For more information on Merritt news and events, visit www.merrittestatewinery.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/merrittwinery.

Merritt Estate is located in Lake Erie Wine Country, the largest grape growing region of New York State located along the shores of Lake Erie. The grapes and wines produced by Merritt rival the quality of premium vintages throughout the world.