A new, exciting initiative has been launched on Long Island: the Long Island Sustainable Winegrowers. The initiative focuses on a certification process where wineries pledge to build healthy vineyards and a healthy workplace. The wine growers are also pledging to STOP using the top 3 most detected pesticides in groundwater: imidacloprid, metalaxyl, and atrazine.
Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing (LISW) is a growing not-for-profit organization that provides licenses and education for Long Island vineyards. Not only do they focus on building healthy vineyards but also on ensuring a safer and healthy environment and workplace. LISW believes that the vineyards should implement practices that care for our environment and improve the environmental quality of the area. Furthermore, LISW uses an international standard of sustainable practices that are verified on a 3rd party checklist system that consists of approved and prohibited practices. Some of their major goals include:
- Maintaining and conserving healthy and fertile soils for the production of grapes.
- To implement cultural practices and solve problems that reduce and minimize the use of chemicals and fertilizers, with the goal of protecting the farmer, the environment, and society.
- To encourage practices that promote and maintain high biological diversity in the whole vineyard.
- To maintain the highest level of quality in fruit production.
Current Participants:
Bedell Cellars
Bedell Cellars, which is located in Cutchogue, NY, is a 30-year-old sustainably farmed and family owned estate vineyard and winery making some of the most critically acclaimed wines from the North Fork of Long Island appellation.
Channing Daughters Winery
Located in Bridgehampton, NY, Channing Daughters has tastings of at least 6 different wines each day. At Channing Daughters they grow and create wines from the white varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Tocai Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Ottonel, Malvasia, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Bianco, and the red varieties Merlot, Blaufrankisch, Pinot Noir, Dornfelder, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Shinn Estate Vineyards
Located in Mattituck, NY, this winery is set in a 125-year-old small and humble barn. The wine they craft at Shinn Estate Vineyards is intended to be a living memory of a particular time and place.
Palmer Vineyards
Located in Aquebogue, Long Island, Palmer Vineyards has been one of the most significant parts of the wine industry. Today Palmer wines are sold in many states across the country. They can also be found in many top restaurants as a private label, such as Gallaghers Steak House, Fultons Crabhouse, The View Restaurant, and many more.
Peconic Bay Winery
Peconic Bay Winery was founded and the vineyards planted in 1979 by the late Ray Blum and originally managed by the late viticulturalist and winemaker Charles Flatt. Located in Cutchogue, NY, Peconic Bay Winery has experienced many positive changes over the years, but what does not change is the integrity that goes into every bottle of wine produced there.
One Woman Vineyards
Located in Southhold, NY, much of the vineyard over there has been meticulously tended to by Claudia Purita’s exacting touch. The superiority of her work is evident in each of the wines made from the vineyard. A few sips will lead you to appreciate just what one woman’s hard work can produce.
Roanoke Vineyards
The winner of the award for "Best Vinifera Red Blend" at the 2006 New York Wine and Food Classic is located at Riverhead, NY.
Wolffer Estate
Located in Sagaponack, NY, this estate was founded in 1987. This 55-acre winery is part of a 175-acre estate with boarding stables, 30 paddocks, an indoor jumping ring, and a Grand Prix field. Wolffer Estate Vineyard is an American winery in the Classic European tradition.
Martha Clara Vineyards
In 1995 Robert caught the grape bug and planted 18 acres of vitis vinifera grapes. Over the next four years his vineyard acreage grew to over 100 acres as he anxiously waited for the grapes to come of age. Robert Entenmann, owner of Martha Clara Vineyards, named the venture after his mother Martha Clara Entenmann. It is located in Riverhead, NY.
Harbes Family Farm and Vineyards
Located in Riverhead, New York Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard provides a serene country atmosphere to enjoy farm fresh foods, country fun, and fine wines.
Paumanok Vineyards
Founded in the spring of 1983, its 103 acre estate is entirely owned and managed by Ursula and Charles Massoud, and their three sons. It is located in Aquebogue, NY.
Updated by mmurphy 6/4/12