Who: Channing Daughters
What: Local Motion Toward Terrific Long Island Terroir
Where: Long Island, New York
Channing Daughters winery, Long Island, New York
Why: Because, in his other lives, founder Walter Channing has been a venture capitalist, a healthcare consultant, a furniture designer and an acclaimed artist. Because under his tutelage, his latest project has become a torchbearer for the great underdog wine region in our own backyard: Long Island. Because Channing Daughters, founded in 1982 at Bridgehampton, hand-crafts all of their wines on a loving, small, vineyard-specific scale. Because they both celebrate the unique terroir of Long Island as well as challenge expectations, pushing the boundaries of what this area has been considered capable. Because they represent the classics like Chardonnay and Merlot but also take a chance on offbeat grapes (think Friulano, Blaufrankisch and Lagrein), experimental blends and evolving winemaking practices. Because, as they put their approach very simply: “We seek deliciousness.” And because, when you taste their wines, you can clearly see that they are onto something.
When: When you’re in a locavore state of mind, score a bottle of their L’Enfant Sauvage Chardonnay to pair with scallops out of Peconic Bay, or simmer a tomato-and-seafood stew with a splash of one of their silly-good rosés.
http://www.channingdaughters.com
