Paumanok Vineyards Nominated For American Winery of the Year

The North Fork wine region continues to garner national recognition: Wine Enthusiast Magazine's nominations for the 2013 Wine Star Awards have been announced — and the North Fork's Paumanok Vineyards has earned the distinction of being a contender for American Winery of the Year.

Paumanok is located on Main Road in Aquebogue; luminaries, including Hillary Clinton and Martha Stewart, have stopped by the winery.

Founded in 1983, Paumanok Vineyards in Aquebogue is the only winery in New York State to grow chenin blanc, a highly acidic grape from the Loire valley of France.

The vineyards' 103 acres, on-site production facility and tasting room are owned and managed by Ursula and Charles Massoud and their three sons. Besides chenin blanc, merlot and semi-dry riesling are top-sellers at the winery. Patrons are welcome to take a free self-guided tour or pay for a guided tour of Paumanok—one of the first North Fork wineries to implement solar power in the fall of 2009.

Each year, the editors of Wine Enthusiast honor individuals and companies that have made "outstanding achievements" in the wine world.

The winners will be announced in the special December 31 Wine Star Award issue, and the honorees will be presented their Wine Star Award trophies at a gala black-tie dinner in New York City on January 27, 2014. 

Other local wineries have been spotlighted recently. In August, McCall Wines in Cutchogue was named 2013 Winery of the Year by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation, according to the winery's Facebook page.

What's your favorite Paumanok wine? Share your experiences at the vineyard with Patch in the comments section.