In addition to Shinn Estate (who are doing some fascinating experiments with biodynamics and alternative energy), Paumanok is a family-run winery that makes a great Chenin Blanc and is worth a visit.

Also, stopping in to see Jim Waters at Waters Crest was an inspiration. A former NYC fireman who was at the World Trade Center after 9/11, he left the city to follow his passion and is making wine in a small garage in the back of a tiny tasting room run by his wife.

Cool stuff, and most NY’ers have no idea there’s wine country right at their doorsteps!

It’s hard to argue your comments above given the wines that we tasted over the weekend. There ARE a lot of pricey Long Island wines, and it is obviously up to the consumer to decide if he or she wants to pay a little extra to drink locally. BUT, with the exceptions of Paumanok and Channing Daughters, we didn’t really get a chance to taste large chunks of any winery’s entire portfolio. Mostly, we tasted the high-end, flagship stuff, and think about it, if you were a winery, what would you pour to impress?

I also think that we all (even me) come into any wine region with preconceived notions, so perhaps next time we need to make sure we do a little blind tasting at some point during the TasteCamp weekend. If nothing else, it will be a lot of fun.

Thanks again…and let’s talk soon about the little project we have in the hopper.