By Ryan Burkett

Springtime is arguably the best time to visit the Long Island wineries. Most of the wineries on Long Island are located in picturesque settings with stunning views of vineyards, rolling hills and the Long Island Sound (while others, like Floral Terranes, make their amazing wines out of a garage in Roslyn).

You can relax and enjoy the scenery while sipping wine, and often you can learn about the winery’s history and winemaking practices. If the quality of the wine is just as important as the view, there are a few wineries you should have on the top of your list.

While there are around 60 different wine producers on Long Island, some put more focus and attention into their wines.

High-quality wines start in the vineyards, and that often means practicing sustainable agriculture and winemaking. This means using environmentally friendly and socially responsible practices to protect the land, conserve resources and produce high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.

One of the most impressive wineries making high-quality wines is McCall Wines. McCall is a small, family-owned vineyard located in Cutchogue, on the North Fork. Since the mid-90s, the family has been growing and selling grapes, but Russ McCall didn’t want his name on a bottle until they could make something delicious. Finally, the vines matured in 2007 and they produced their first vintage.

The McCall’s still hold on to their red wines, only releasing them when ready to drink.

With its age and perfect maturation, the 2017 McCall Cabernet Franc is an amazing value at $25. Long Island is known for Bordeaux varieties, and the McCall Cuvée Nicola (named after Russ’s wife) Sauvignon Blanc is a great example, but where they really shine is with their Burgundy varieties.

The Unoaked Chardonnay makes people second guess their notions about the grape, while the 2015 (current vintage!) Pinot Noir is an argument in itself for the quality of Long Island wines.

Another winery that puts grape growing first is Macari Vineyards in Mattituck. Joe Macari Sr. purchased a 500-acre former potato farm in the mid-60s, but it was in 1995 when Joseph Jr. and Alexandra Macari moved to the North Fork and began planting vines. What sets the Macari’s apart is their dedication to growing the best grapes.

Joseph Jr. studied with world-renowned visionaries in biodynamic viticulture. This means they take a holistic approach to grape growing, making sure the soils are filled with biodiversity, and understanding the grapes’ character depends on well-nourished, living soil. The results speak for themselves, as the Macari wines are consistently some of the most awarded on Long Island. While their single-varietal wines are great, the Macari Dos Aguas red and white blends should be in everyone’s go-to rotation.

Bedell Cellars is also located in Cutchogue, on the North Fork. Established in 1980, the winery has a long history of producing award-winning wines, including its signature Merlot. The winemaker, Richard Olsen-Harbich, worked his first vintage on Long Island in 1983 after finishing his plant science degree at Cornell University.

Olsen-Harbich has long been active in the North Fork wine scene, winning approval for the North Fork of Long Island American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1986.

He’s a pioneer in Long Island winemaking who is dedicated to sustainability and employing winemaking techniques like only using indigenous yeast in order to paint a clear picture of the Long Island terroir. More recently, assistant winemaker Marin Brennan has been making some fun, delicious wines from less common varieties in their Small Batch Series.

Christopher Tracy isn’t your typical winemaker. Last year, Channing Daughters made six different rosés. Channing Daughters is located in Bridgehampton, on the South Fork.

Winemaker and partner Tracy loves to experiment and push the boundaries when it comes to their wines. There are no rules at Channing Daughters; they make a couple orange wines and produce wines using unusual grape varietals, such as Tocai Friulano and Lagrein.

Established in 1982, the winery has a reputation for experimentation and innovation. Tracy first got involved in 2001, after being a member of the Channing Daughters wine club; now he makes some of the most interesting and delicious wines on Long Island. The Ramato is often people’s first experience with orange wine, and there couldn’t be a better representative.

Although Long Island has a plethora of wineries, the best ones which offer a true representation of the region’s quality prioritize sustainable techniques and winemaking that accurately portrays the terroir.

These wineries produce high-quality wines made by knowledgeable and experienced people which should be considered the benchmark for Long Island wines. So if you’re looking for a winery to visit this spring, these are great places to start.

All wines are available to purchase at the wineries and more distinguished retailers.