Friday, May 20, 2011

Visit with Charles Massoud at Paumanok Winery

On our 2 day mini-trip to Long Island, we also had the opportunity to meet with Charles Massoud of Paumanok Winery. I will never forget that he answered my email really promptly last November, when I asked him about Chenin blanc rootstock and clones that we are interested in planting in our vineyard. We spoke with Charles for about 3 hours and talked about everything from crown gall, to plant density to reduce vigor and then the inevitability of taking risks. Charles said that in all the 29 years that he has worked his vineyard, no two years were alike. What it comes down to is Mother Nature trumps everything. Charles' sage advice translated: what are you waiting for, get planting!
During our time with Charles, the sun came up! We had not seen signs of the sun for days so Charles excused himself to tend to his vineyard and we adjourned to the tasting room where Laura poured us tastings of all of the wines made at Paumanok. We were joined by Charles' wife, Ursula, who inquired about the Auxerrois and the salsa that we left for them to taste. We hope that it was adequate compensation for the generosity and kindness shown to us by Charles, Urusula and Laura!
Link to Paumanok Winery Website: Paumanok Vineyards

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