Posts Written OnJanuary 14, 2013

Scarola Vineyards 2010 “Cappella” Chardonnay

Apple and pear fruit aromas are slightly buttery, with gentle hints of citrus blossom beneath. Weighty and a bit hot on the finish, this chardonnay is fruity — apple, pear and pineapple — with a caramelly-toasty edge. Well balanced acidity matches the ripe, concentrated fruit, but that heat on the finish detracts. Producer: Scarola Vineyards AVA: North Fork of Long Island ABV: 13% Price: $18* (2.5 out of 5, Average-to-Very Good)

Breaking News: Wölffer Estate Vineyard Purchased by Two of Founder Christian Wölffer’s Children

One of the topics we”ll cover as part of our “Celebrating 40 Years of Long Island Wine” series is winery succession. The next generation of winery owners will help shape what Long Island looks like for the next 40 years — and that future is unclear for some of the region’s wineries — but it’s a bit more clear for one winery today. Wolffer Estate Vineyard announced today that two of founder Christian Wolffer’s children, Joey Wolffer and Marc Wolffer, have assumed joint ownership of the Sagaponack winery. From the press release: A leader in Long Island wine country, Wölffer…

Peconic Bay Winery Moves Tasting Room Operations to Empire State Cellars, Re-Focuses on the Wine and Leaves Agritourism Behind

Live music every weekend. A food menu well beyond snacks. Big crowds. North Fork agritourism at its best. That’s has been Peconic Bay Winery the last several summers. Other wineries have turned to agritourism for financial stability and profitability, but few did it better than Peconic Bay. But no more. Later this morning, the winery will announce that it is closing its tasting room to the public, moving day-to-day retail and tasting operations to Empire State Cellars at Tanger Outlet Mall. The Cutchogue tasting room will now be used exclusively for private parties and wine club events. There will be a…