Yesterday, McCall Wines was named “Winery of the Year” following the 2013 New York Wine & Food Classic, which included included 842 New York wines, 11 Hard Ciders and 22 Spirits from several regions across New York State including Long Island, Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Niagara Escarpment and Lake Erie.
On its way to being named “Winery of the Year” McCall won double-gold for its 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve and 2007 Ben’s Blend. In addition, McCall was awarded medals for its 2011 Cabernet Franc (Gold), 2008 Merlot Reserve (Gold), 2010 Chardonnay Reserve (Silver), 2012 Marjorie’s Rose (Silver) and 2008 Merlot (Silver).
It has been several years since a Long Island winery was named “Winery of the Year” during the Finger Lakes-based competition. Owner Russ McCall hopes this is a peek at things to come, telling me “We’d like to see our success as an indication of the continued progress of the Long Island wine region. Long Island wineries have been breaking barriers and making some of the top quality wines in the country, and they all just keep getting better.”
McCall is also quick to credit his team for the winery’s success. “Making a top quality wine is like creating success in any other field — it comes down to focusing on the details and putting a great team together. The only way to do anything well is to surround yourself with good and harworking people. Since we believe that a great wine is made in the field, our guys on the farm putting the hard work in every day are to credit, along with Stephen Mudd for his direction, and our winemakers John Graziano and Gilles Martin.”
With a consistent string of the region’s best pinot noir as well as outstanding merlot-based wines, McCall’s tasting room has quickly earned must-visit status on the North Fork. Earning the “Winery of the Year” title will only further elevate this deserving winery’s reputation.