LIWINEDAD

  Fall is in the air, so it is time for the next round of club pick-ups.  Our first stop was after a large lunch at Sound Avenue Bistro , so we passed on the opportunity for a glass of wine and did a quick pick-up.   Pellegrini Vineyards is friendly, always open, beautiful, expansive winery (Fig 01).  The tasting room is open and airy, with team members always available with a friendly greeting (Fig 02).  The club 6-pack this time ranged from library wines to the more youthful whites (Fig 03).   In keeping with club tradition, Pellegrini always encloses a letter discussing all the wines in the pack (Fig 04) and a delicious recipe to prepare and pair with the wine in the club pack (Fig 05).  In addition, of course, they always include the current wine menu if more is required to stock the wine cellar (Fig 06).  Overall, this is a fun club and winery that warrant us spending more time with them in the future.  #longislandwineries #vineyardviews #wineryvibes #liwine #licharacter #longi

  A new week a new expedition to wine country for a leisurely lunch, and a few quick club pick-ups with detailed posting for each stop to follow shortly (Fig 00).  The first stop was for lunch at an old friend, the Sound Avenue Bistro (Fig 01).   This time we sat outside by a small waterfall and pond, and the food was fantastic as always.   From lunch, it was on to Pellegrini Vineyards to collect the six-pack fall club (Fig 02).    The next winery is Sannino Vineyard for our four-pack club, and of course, we added on a three-pack of spiced wine.   Lastly was a long overdue visit to Long Island Spirits (LIV) to pick up some Vodka and the rough rider bourbon.  Overall, a well-paced 135-mile 5-hour lunch and club pick-up. #longislandwineries #vineyardviews #wineryvibes #liwine #licharacter #longislandwine #northforkwineries #longislandwinery #longislandnorthfork #northforker #discoverlongisland #topwineries #northforkwinetrail #liwinecountry #liwine #lisustainablewinegrowers #nywine

  After lunch at Barrow Food House , it was on to McCall Wine, two events in one place.   First is the wine tasting, and the second is McCall Beef which requires a separate discussion.   McCall Wine is well set back on the south side of the main road in Cutchogue, just before Pellegrini Vineyards ( McCall Wine Google Map ).   Turning on a gravel road takes you to the back of an old barn to a gravel parking lot with a view of the vineyard just beyond (Fig 01).   The rustic vibe continues, approaching the tasting room built into a barn (Fig 02).   The theme continued as we were seated on the outdoor patio with fantastic views of the fields and vineyards (Fig 03).   The team greeting is warm and friendly, leaving the impression that you will have some wine and conversation with close family members who are highly versed in wine.   There are two menus, one for tasting (Fig 04) and one for bottle selection listing McCall’s entire portfolio (Fig 05).   As it has been a while since explori

  Sometimes the best dinner is a simple home-cooked dinner; last night was one of those.  The seafood and other ingredients came from New Wave Seafood and Stew Leonards-East Meadow , as fresh ingredients are essential.   The Shrimp are six large ones mounted on 2 Rosemary infused Olive oil-coated bamboo skewers.   Then using the assembled   Shrimp, sprinkle them with a dash of Old Bay , spray with EVOO, and set them aside to rest in the fridge for several hours.   Using a fresh Zucchini and a Kitchen Aid Mixer Spiralizing attachment did quick work of producing a nice pile of Zoodles.   The Zoodles are laid out on paper towels to air dry for about an hour.   Starting with just a touch of rosemary-infused EVOO, sauté fresh chopped Garlic, then add a chunk of Irish butter.   When melted and sizzling, stir in the Zoodles, stirring constantly, then add grated Romano cheese to taste.   The Shrimp are seared on an inferred burner (Very hot 1800 ⁰ F) on the Bar-B-Que for about 1 minute per

  The stop was the first in a series of drive-by pickups for the run of 09 June 2022 is Pellegrini Vineyards .  Even with a limited time of about 6 minutes, there was still time to take in the winery’s beauty.  One enters from the west, and a large courtyard opens before you (Fig 01).  To the north, the view is expansive over the vineyards; east is the tank rooms and cellar, south a great lawn rolling down to the main road, and looking to the west is the tasting room.  Today’s pickup included a 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, 2019 Chardonnay (Steel), NV Steak House Red, 2017 Cabernet Franc, 2017 Encore, and a 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Fig 02).  NV Steak House Red is a non-vintage, multi-varietal blend that pairs very well with lighter steaks, including non-prime NY strip and filet mignon.  For the heavier steaks, the Encore balances perfectly with a prime rib eye of 28+ day aged porterhouse.  All the wines have been delicious in the past, and this group should be no exception.  Along with the win

  Summer is officially here, and it is time for the next wine club pickups and deliveries.   The summer pickup was structured as if we were on a ‘mission from God’(FIG 10).  The pickup runs covered six wineries, 152 miles in about 5 hours, retrieving fifty-four bottles of wine, including ten bottles for friends with some clubs in common with us.  First, of course, we needed the SUV to fit everything, so Jo became the designated driver, and I did the tuck and roll at each winery to dart in, grab the wine, and go.  We made stops at Pellegrini Vineyards (Fig 01), Lenz Winery (Fig 02), Sparkling Pointe (Fig 03), Sannino Vineyards (Fig 04), Terra Vite Winery & Vineyard (Fig 05), and Roanoke Vineyards (Fig 06).   Deliveries from Kontokosta Winery (Fig 07), Raphael Winery (Fig 08), and W ö lffer Estate Vineyard (Fig 09) round out the early June 2022 Clubs.   Each club selection will be covered in a separate posting and the late June pickups. #longislandwineries #vineyardviews #wineryvib

  Time for the March pick-up at Pellegrini Vineyards , and this time we brought some lunch from Center Cuts Two and enjoyed a tasting.   The tasting room is bright airy, with a cheery team working the floor (Figure 1).   There were many tables to choose from for a Thursday, the end of the winter season, with good views.   However, more folks were dropping by than expected.   They have a tasting sheet with many wines on it, and you can choose four or have a glass (Figure 2).   The four selected today were the 2019 Pellegrini Vineyards Gew ü zrtraminer , 2019 Pellegrini Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc , 2015 Pellegrini Vineyards Merlot , and 2015 Vintner’s Pride Cabernet Sauvignon (Figure 3).   Jo went for a glass of the 2019 Pellegrini Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. The 2019 Pellegrini Vineyards Gew ü zrtraminer (Figure 4) presented as a glistening pale straw in the glass with Floral notes of Rose, Grapefruit, and a hint of Ginger.   On the palate, Lychee, Grapefruit, and clove appeared.  

  This year we are trying to do more pickup runs and fewer wineries on each trip so we can linger at each winery and enjoy all they have to offer.  Today's run included two old favorites, a new/old winery, and a new lunch place.  First up was a stop to explore and pick up lunch at a new place called Center Cuts Two in Mattituck with more detail here .  Opening about a year ago, this is a boutique butcher shop and deli (Figure 1).  We wandered around a bit, snapped some photos, ordered lunch (separate post here soon), then headed east to Pellegrini Vineyards for a pickup, tasting, and enjoying the lunch we just grabbed (Figure 2).    All the Pellegrini Vineyards stop details are posted here .  Next up was a drive-by pickup at Sannino Vineyards ( New post here ) and then on the Laurel Lake, now called EV & EM Vineyards (Figure 3), with a more detailed set of comments here soon.  Overall, this was a much more slow and enjoyable-paced pickup run that we will adopt going forwar