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It’s been more than 40 years since Alex and Louisa Hargrave planted Long Island’s first commercial grapes and much has changed in the year’s since. (For example, you probably won’t see Paumanok Vineyards founder Charles Massoud wearing bell bottoms.)

But what has remained is a love and commitment to our unique terroir and growing grapes in the sometimes-challenging, always-rewarding maritime climate.

If these phtos leave you feeling a little nostalgic, we highly recommend picking up Louisa Hargrave’s memoir “The Vineyard” (available here) for a more in-depth account of local wine history.

Enjoy looking back on Long Island Wine Country’s past. All photos courtesy of the vineyards.

Rennovation at Bedell Cellars, 1999.
Rennovation at Bedell Cellars, 1999.
Charles Massoud, owner and founder, Paumanok Vineyards, bottling reds.
Charles Massoud, owner and founder, Paumanok Vineyards, bottling reds.
Charles Massoud plants the first row of vines at Paumanok Vineyards.
Charles Massoud plants the first row of vines at Paumanok Vineyards.
Charles Massoud, owner and founder, Paumanok Vineyards.
Charles Massoud, owner and founder, Paumanok Vineyards.
Kip Bedell and Martin Shanken of Wine Spectator in the 1980s.
Kip Bedell and Martin Shanken of Wine Spectator in the 1980s.
The Massoud family in the Paumanok tasting room, early 1990s.
The Massoud family in the Paumanok tasting room, early 1990s.
Planting the first vines at Palmer Vineyards.
Planting the first vines at Palmer Vineyards.
Planting the first vines at Palmer Vineyards.
Planting the first vines at Palmer Vineyards.
The sign is installed at Palmer Vineyards. September, 1983.
The sign is installed at Palmer Vineyards. September, 1983.
Joyce and Bob Pellegrini.
Joyce and Bob Pellegrini.
Early plantings at Pindar Vineyards.
Early plantings at Pindar Vineyards.
Early plantings at Pindar Vineyards.
Early plantings at Pindar Vineyards.
The winery at Pindar Vineyards.
The winery at Pindar Vineyards.
Pindar Damianos, Alex Damianos, Herodotus 'Dr. Dan' Damianos and Jason Damianos.
Pindar Damianos, Alex Damianos, Herodotus ‘Dr. Dan’ Damianos and Jason Damianos.
Building the winery at Raphael in Peconic.
Building the winery at Raphael in Peconic.
Longtime Long Island winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich.
Longtime Long Island winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich in 1983.
Roman Roth and Richie Pisacano of Wölffer Estate Vineyard and Roanoke Vineyards.
Roman Roth and Richie Pisacano of Wölffer Estate Vineyard and Roanoke Vineyards.
Wölffer Estate Vineyards co-owner and winemaker and Long Island WIne Council President Roman Roth.
Wölffer Estate Vineyards co-owner and winemaker and Long Island WIne Council President Roman Roth.
Young Kip Bedell in the Winery. Photo by Sarah Matthews
Young Kip Bedell in the Winery. Photo by Sarah Matthews
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