Merlot. Chardonnay. Sauvignon blanc. Cabernet franc. These are the workhorse grapes of the Long Island wine industry. Most vineyards grow them. Most every winery makes them. They thrive here in our soils, and Long Island’s wine reputation has been built with these classic grape varieties. Fifty years in, our local winemakers and vineyard managers understand these grapes well: where and how to plant them, how to consistently ripen them, and how to make expressive, distinctive Long Island wine from them.
Listen to “More than Merlot: Lesser-known grapes that may shape the future of Long Island wine” by Lenn Thompson on the latest episode of the Northforker Stories podcast.
