Long Island has some of the most amazing wineries and what better place to start our wine tour then with one of the first and biggest wineries, Pindar.
Our tour started in the tasting room where two large wooden bars fill the room. There we were greeted by Gina, tasting room manager. Not only was she informative but so warm and friendly. Even though Pindar is very big, you get the feeling of a family like atmosphere. There is an extensive tasting room wine list and the tastings include 5 wines of your choice. Unlike some other wineries, Pindar is open year round. They produce over 70,000 cases of wine a year and with 17 varieties of grapes.
All the wine is made and bottled on premise. We headed over to see where the magic happens. In the distillery room we saw the bottle assembly line, the oak barrels and the large steel tanks where the wine is stored until the winemaker decides it is ready for drinking. It’s such an amazing process and when I drink wine I never really think about just how much work goes into making the perfect glass. Pindar is very unique because from grape to bottle it is all done on-site. If you are interested in how the wine is made Pindar provides tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-2pm.
One of the things I really like about Pindar is it’s one of the few wineries on Long Island that will let you pack your own lunch. I mean when else do I get to use my picnic basket if not packing up my cheese and crackers for the winery? In addition to being able to BYOL you can enjoy live music bands on Saturday and Sunday.
If you are looking for a good summer wine then check out the Sunflower Chardonnay. It’s barrel aged from a special 3.9 acre vineyard and the most popular summer choice. When we were there we had a glass of the Premier Cuvée Brut, sparkling wine. It was so good that if I didn’t have to drive I could have had several more glasses. If you like sparkling wines then I would highly recommend.
Okay can we talk about the wine in a can? If you don’t know what I mean Pindar has cans of wine with resealable tops. Is this not a brilliant idea for all wine drinkers on the go? Don’t get me wrong I love to pop a cork and drink from a fancy wine glass just as much as anyone but let’s be honest, that isn’t always feasible. These cans are a great alternative to a traditional bottle of wine.
If you don’t have the opportunity to drive out to Peconic, NY there are still many ways you can enjoy Pindar wine. You can visit the wine store in Port Jefferson, NY, join the Pindar Wine Club, or shipping options are available to selected areas. However, if you do have the opportunity I would highly suggest visiting as the grounds are breathtaking and the wine is amazing!
Cheers!
-XOXO
Carissa
