McCall Winery

McCall Wines 22600 Main Road, Cutchogue

McCall began producing wine in 2007. A couple of unique things about this winery are that they have 11 acres of Pinot Noir planted which is one of the biggest Pinot Noir vineyards on the East coast and that in addition to growing grapes, they also are a cattle ranch raising grass-fed Charolais cattle, which is an historic breed from France.

The tasting room is in a rustic former potato barn not too far from the huge wine turbine they have on property.

2016 Chardonnay “Reserve”

Dark gold in color with an aromatic nose of tropical fruits, big bodied with honey, melon, pineapple and mouth filling glycerin on the finish with some nice acidity at the end. Starting to show its age but still very drinkable in an old school California full bodied style.

2016 Cabernet Franc

Clear medium brick in color with an amber rim, black cherry and sweet spice on the nose with tar, leather and black fruit ending with some tart notes on the finish.

August Day At The Wineries

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Still the only game in town, drove out on this sunny, hot August afternoon to sit in the vineyards for a glass.

Palmer Vineyards 5120 Sound Avenue, Riverhead

One of the original wineries on Long Island. Recently purchased and now owned by the Massoud family who own Paumanok Vineyards as well.

2018 Viognier: Medium yellow in color, honeysuckle on the nose, tight and crisp with green herbs and lemon on the finish. Not as lush as I was expecting for a Viognier.

***

Mattebella Vineyards 46005 Route 25, Southold

A small family farm whose motto is “wine, passion and craftmanship”

2017 Steel Chardonnay: 100% fermented in steel. Medium yellow in color, cooked fruit and green asparagus on the nose, moderate fruit, crisp finish with lime notes. Tasted like an older wine.

***

Sherwood House Vineyards 1291 Main Road, Jamesport

A comfortable tasting room with an adjacent art gallery, one of the few tasting rooms serving wine in a respectable glass.

2017 Oregon Road Chardonnay: Steel Fermented. Light yellow in color, sweet tangerine and pear notes on the nose, dusty, firm fruit with nice mouth watering acidity.

2016 Beringer Chardonnay Luminus Oak Knoll District

Beringer is an historic vineyard that has been producing wines in Napa Valley since 1869 and maintains a large portfolio of wines. This is a single vineyard Chardonnay from their “Distinction Series” of wines.

2016 Chardonnay “Luminus” Oak Knoll District: Dark gold in color, ripe melon and pineapple on the nose, not as juicy as it looks, tight lemon/lime notes on the fruit with coconut and glycerin on the finish .

2017 J Vineyards Chardonnay Russian River Valley

J Vineyards and Winery is located in Sonoma County, California.

I’m not a big fan of the old style California Chardonnay that are buttery, fruit forward with loads of tropical fruit notes. There is still that style of wine to be had if you want it but many wine makers are moving away from long oak aging in their wines. This wine had a nice balance of delicious fruit and acidity to make it interesting.

2017 Chardonnay Russian River Valley: Medium gold with greenish tints, honey, saffron and cantaloupe on the nose, medium fruit with lemon curd and cinnamon on the finish and good acidity. Very drinkable.

Unoaked Chardonnay Long Island

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

During the warm Summer months I’ve a fan of rosé wine, but sometimes I’m not in the mood for pink so I’ll have a glass of white. To sip on a hot day those big, fat, oaky and buttery whites won’t cut it in the warm weather so my go to wines will be the lighter, crisper versions with no or minimal oak treatment.

Chardonnay is the queen of white wines on the east end of Long Island. Wine makers love it since it’s malleable enough to make it in several styles. Most of the wineries on the east end make an oak and non-oaked version.

I spent a cloudy afternoon out east looking for non-oaked white Summer sippers.

Laurel Lake Vineyards 3165 Main Road, Laurel

Established in 1984 it’s one of the older wineries on the east end, off the radar winery with consistent wines and a nice deck out back overlooking the vineyard.

2017 Estate Chardonnay

Medium to light gold in color, asparagus, crushed rock and cotton candy on the nose, tight with surprisingly buttery notes on the finish with nice acidity.

Lenz Vineyards 38355 Main Road, Peconic

One of the granddaddies of the wine industry on the east end being established in 1978. They are more known for their reds, especially their Merlots.

2014 Chardonnay “White Label”

An older vintage than expected. Dark gold in color, canned peaches and green herbs on the nose, tight, peachy fruit with lemon notes on the balanced finish. Holding up well.

Macari Vineyards 150 Bergen Avenue, Mattituck

A family run operation established in 1995 with a large tasting room and an outdoor deck with sweeping views of the vineyard.

2016 Estate Chardonnay

Served in a proper wine glass, medium yellow with greenish tints, green apple on the nose, dry, crisp with mouth watering acidity and green apple notes on the finish. Nice Summer sipper.

RG/NY 6025 Sound Avenue, Riverhead

This is the former Martha Clara winery that was recently purchased by the Mexican winemaking family Rivero Gonzalez. They are bottling wine under their label now.

2018 Scielo (Heaven) Chardonnay

Medium to light yellow, watermelon on the nose, peachy, melon notes on the full fruit with lime notes on the firm finish.