Posts Tagged“vineyard 48”

At What Point is a Winery Not Really a Winery Anymore?

I get dozens of promotional emails from New York wineries each week. I can’t read them all, honestly, but it does help keep me abreast of the goings on in New York wine country. Last week, something really stuck out as I was scanning my inbox. Here’s a sampling of recent subject lines: “NEWS: 2013 Riesling Released” “Ship Wine Today for Mother’s Day – Or Visit the Winery” “The Whites of <Winery Name> Tasting” “Don’t Miss Our 28th Anniversary Sale” “Free Case Shipping from <Winery Name> Today” “Taste Our New Wines at Brooklyn Uncorked” Now, what do these have in…

Continue Reading

Should the Long Island Wine Industry Police Itself More Effectively?

As you may have seen earlier this week, the New York State Liquor Authority revoked Vineyard 48’s liquor license. It’s hard to know exactly what happens next, but in the meantime, wineries on Long Island and beyond are now free to openly discuss a difficult subject — an industry and community policing itself. It’s rare for wineries to speak in support of one other when speaking to power — being beholden to so many regulatory agencies, banks and the public can make a winery owner fearful on many levels. It is rarer still for them to openly criticize one another’s…

Continue Reading

Correction: Matt Berenz is Still at Vineyard 48

By Lenn Thompson, Founder and Publisher A few weeks ago I received an official press release from Wine Connection Consulting and Vineyard 48 announcing that Bernard Cannac had replaced Matthew Berenz as winemaker at Vineyard 48. It was surprising at the time given the strides Berenz had been making there. It has come to my attention over the 24 hours that the press release was erroneous and that Berenz is still the winemaker at Vineyard 48. In the interest of fairness and truth, I’ve removed the original post from the site. I have contacted all of the parties involved and…

Continue Reading

WTN: Vineyard 48 2005 Vignetta (North Fork of Long Island)

Despite some inconsistency, Vineyard 48 just might be a winery on the rise. In general, I’ve found their white wines to be their best, particularly the sauvignon blanc and riesling, which are better and more affordable than many local offerings. But, I’ve found their reds much more inconsistent and disappointing. A nice cabernet franc here. A soft, but integrated meritage there. And some others with too-agressive and coarse tannins. 2005, a soon-to-be-classic vintage for Long Island, seems to have afforded winemaker Matthew Berenz, formerly of Pindar, a chance to work with super-ripe fruit. As a result, he’s made the neophyte…

Continue Reading

WTNs: Vineyard 48 Current Red Releases (North Fork of Long Island)

Vineyard 48 (formerly Bidwell Vineyards) might be a winery on the rise. In general, I’ve found their white wines to be their best, particularly the sauvignon blanc and riesling, which are actually better than some local bottlings priced much higher. But, the reds have been somewhat more inconsistent. A nice cabernet franc here. A soft, but integrated meritage there. And some others with somewhat coarse tannins. 2005, a soon-to-be-class vintage, provided an opportunity for complete grape ripeness and winemaker Matthew Berenz, formerly of Pindar, took full advantage. He’s made the neophyte winery’s best reds yet. The Vineyard 48 2005 Vignetta…

Continue Reading