Category Archives: Winery Visit

A Visit to Bedell Cellars

A while back I finally had the opportunity to meet up with Rich Olsen-Harbich, the new winemaker at Bedell Cellars.  I was interested to catch up with Rich, since this was the first time I had a chance to meet … Continue reading

Posted in 2010, Barrel Tasting, Bedell, Long Island, Looking at the Future Through a Barrel, Winery Visit | 3 Comments

The New Wine Maker on the Block: Meet Pindar Vineyards Assistant Winemaker Edward Lovaas

This past summer was a whirlwind of activity with wine makers moving from one vineyard to another.  Three local wine makers moved in all, with Kelly Urbanik going from Bedell Cellars to Macari Vineyards, Rich Olsen-Harbich leaving Raphael and going to Bedell … Continue reading

Posted in Eight Great Questions, Long Island, Pindar, Winemaker, Winery Visit | 2 Comments

A Long Overdue Visit to Peconic Bay Winery

It has happened to us all before.  We go out to eat at a restaurant and the experience was not up to par.  You come home underwhelmed and say to yourself, “not going back there”.  Could have it have been … Continue reading

Posted in Blended Wine, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Long Island, Merlot, Peconic Bay Winery, Riesling, Rose, Tasting, Winery Visit | 1 Comment

A visit to Martha Clara Vineyards

Martha Clara Vineyards, on Sound Avenue in Riverhead, NY is a vineyard this gets your attention.  Weather it be their singles night, or maybe their bingo nights or their open mic night.  They get you and they really grab your … Continue reading

Posted in Long Island, Martha Clara, Notes, Winery Visit | 10 Comments

Looking at the Future Through A Barrel: Pindar Vineyards

Recently I met with Les Howard, wine maker at Pindar vineyards in Peconic, NY.  I have tried to get out and visit with him for a while and catch up with him and see what has happened in the vineyard and in the cellar for the 2009 vintage. I … Continue reading

Posted in Barrel Tasting, Long Island, Looking at the Future Through a Barrel, Pindar, Winery Visit | 1 Comment

Shinn-Dig: Looking into the Future through a Barrel

A tradition that started about 3 years ago for the Gorton & Braun Family is our annual attendance at Shinn Estate Vineyards Annual Futures Event, a “Shinn-Dig”.   My parents Mike & Patty Gorton, Melissa’s parents, Dave & Edith Braun, and our siblings, … Continue reading

Posted in 2008, 2009, Future Releases, Long Island, Shinn Estate Vieyard, Winery Dinner, Winery Visit | 3 Comments

A visit to Roanoke Vineyards

Have you ever gone past a place along your normal trip to wherever you may be going, and pass the same landmark time and time again, take a look over at it and continue on down the road? Have you … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvigon, Long Island, Merlot, Red Wine, Roanoke Vineyards, Rose, Winery Visit | 4 Comments

A visit with Scarola Vineyards own Frank Scarola

A few weeks ago,  I spent some time out in wine country, visiting a few vineyards tasting some new releases and enjoying the bounty that the North Fork has to offer. One such place I had scheduled to visit was … Continue reading

Posted in Long Island, Scarola Vineyards, Winery Visit | 1 Comment

Raphael 2005 First Label Merlot

Since I have been doing this I have grown to realize that when it comes to Long Island Merlot, you have to first look at Raphael and their winemaker Richard Olsen-Harbich.  I have tasted quite a few Merlot, maybe not … Continue reading

Posted in Merlot, Raphael, Winery Visit | 2 Comments

Pindar 2007 Cabernet Franc

When you think of Pindar, you may think of some sweet wines, a White Zinfandel type.  Or you may think of their Winter White, since it their number one selling wine.  And you know what, that’s fine.  As long as … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Pindar, Red Wine, Winery Visit | 3 Comments

A Vist to Pindar Part 2

This is part 2 of a 2 part post on my visit to Pindar Vineyards.  You can see the first part here. Melissa, Pindar, Les and myself walked in and the tasting room was busy…lots of business and people…very nice … Continue reading

Posted in Long Island, Pindar, Winery Visit | 6 Comments

Tweet-up at Shinn Estate Vineyards

Recently, Virginia wine bloggers John Witherspoon of anythingwine.com and his wife, Megan of  Wineconcience.com paid a visit to the North Fork of Long Island.  They were spending a few nights at Shinn Estate Vineyards while visiting some of the wonderful … Continue reading

Posted in Shinn Estate Vieyard, Winery Visit | Leave a comment

Funeral Directors invade Long IslandWine Country

On Sunday, the Nassau-Suffolk Funeral Directors Association kicked off their first annual “Long Island Wine Country Tour”.  There was a total of 11 funeral directors, their family and friends. We Visited Krupski’s Pumpkin Patch to pick some pumpkins and roll … Continue reading

Posted in Long Island, Winery Visit | 1 Comment

Raphael Vineyards 2004 Cabernet Franc Short Sip

This wine was given to me by Richard Olsen-Harbich, Raphael’s winemaker.  I tasted this with Rich in the tasting room, but he was gracious enough to allow me to take this home and enjoy it some more with my wife … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Notes, Raphael, Short Sip, Winery Visit | Leave a comment

Winery Visit at Raphael Winery

A few weeks back I was invited to spend some time at Raphael Vineyard.  I had been in contact with Melissa Martin at Raphael after doing a review of their rose.  She had asked that I pay a visit the … Continue reading

Posted in Long Island, Notes, Raphael, Winery Visit | 4 Comments

Raphael 2007 Cabernet Franc

I was finally getting to an appointment that I was suppose to visit in August, but as we all know too well,  the summer sometimes get the best of us. I was finally able to set a date with Melissa … Continue reading

Posted in Cabernet Franc, Long Island, Notes, Raphael, Winery Visit | Leave a comment