CHEERS TO PINOT NOIR: CONNECTICUT LEADERS PARDON TURKEY IN HOLIDAY TRADITION

 

Pinot Noir was the lucky bird saved during Stew Leonard's annual turkey pardon ceremony. Photo: Boceto Media

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West Hartford, CT.- A turkey named Pinot Noir will be getting the royal treatment every step of the way this Thanksgiving and beyond. 

Senator Richard Blumenthal, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Stew Leonard Jr., President & CEO of Stew Leonard’s, came together to pardon this festive bird during the annual turkey pardoning ceremony. 

The turkey was named Pinot Noir, after Stew Leonard’s top-selling Thanksgiving wine, a fitting tribute to the bird who will live out his days on a local Connecticut farm. 

 “Today, there’s only one turkey that matters, Pinot Noir,” Leonard Jr said. “And this is the happiest turkey at Stew Leonard’s!” 

Turkey pardon ceremony. Photo, Boceto Media

Pinot Noir was raised at Steadfast Farms in Bethlehem by Jared McCool and his team. McCool, a Marine Corps veteran, explained why Pinot was chosen to be pardoned and shared the farm’s commitment to free-range, regenerative farming practices. 

“Our turkeys are out on pasture, living their best lives, eating natural foods,” McCool said. “Pinot chose us. He just happened to be at the right place, at the right time, and he meant something to one of my staff members. So it kind of checked all the boxes, and he is one good looking turkey, so it worked out great.” 

Pinot Noir was described as having a free-range lifestyle and an escape-artist personality, with ambitions to fly. 

“It’s going to be a challenge to keep Pinot Noir on track,” Bysiewicz said with a smile. 

“On behalf of the federal government. We hereby declare Pinot pardoned, and released,” said Blumenthal. 

@maricajahuaringa Say hello to #pinotnoir the lucky #turkey that got pardoned this #Thanksgiving in #WestHartford🦃 @Stew Leonard’s 🥂No dinner table for him 🎇he’s living his best life . ##story##foryou##turkey##yummy##fyp##tiktok ♬ original sound - Maricarmen Cajahuaringa

Blake Leonard, a member of the family-owned business, said that during the two weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, the store expects to sell over 20,000 bottles of Pinot Noir, making it the star of countless holiday tables. 

Leonard Jr. announced that his company donated 2,500 turkeys to food banks and over 20,000 free swim lessons to underprivileged kids, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. 

The pardon ceremony also highlighted the contributions of Steadfast Farms, which raises over 60,000 birds each year, including turkeys, chickens, and ducks. 

“There are a veteran owned farm and Even though our veterans are no longer in service to our country they are in service in our communities are our states. Jared and Erin we are in love that you are providing these beautiful birds for the people of Connecticut.” Bysiewicz said. “Pinot is gonna have a great life and will make sure there are many more turkeys for us to enjoy.” 

Pinot Noir, the CT turkey will live a free-range life. Photo, Boceto Media

“I'm going to come visit Pinot when he returns to your farm, because life sounds pretty good at that farm. So let me just say, as a great American (Joe Biden) once said, keep calm and gobble on”, Blumenthal said. 

 As the holiday season kicks off, Governor Ned Lamont reminded Connecticut residents to reflect on the spirit of Thanksgiving, both the history of the holiday and the generosity of their fellow citizens.

 “Today, Susan and I were at Foodshare, where volunteers helped distribute 50,000 turkeys to families in need. It’s the generosity of Connecticut residents that makes this state so special.” 

 “One very special turkey is going to live a long, relaxed life on the farm”, Leonard Jr said. “Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!”

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