Unfined, Unfiltered

Zander Hargrave has winemaking in his blood. His parents, Louisa and Alex Hargrave, planted the first vinifera grapes on the East End in 1973. The did it, Zander says, because they wanted to try and make the bold Bordeaux blends they enjoyed drinking. More than 50 years later, Zander is the winemaker at Pellegrini Vineyards, itself a legacy North Fork winery which boasts three vineyards across the North Fork. From chamomile between the vines to Sauvignon Blanc in the cellar, Zander brought the stories of growing up in the Founding Vineyard.

A world class destination demands a best-in-class organization to promote all it has to offer.Beyond representing East End grape growers and winemakers, Long Island Wine Country partners with local, regional and state groups to promote the region across the country and around the world.On today's episode Kristen Curcie, president of LIWC and general manager at Ev&Em Vineyards, talks up Long Island wines.

Sam McCullough grew up on the North Fork and, after graduating from Colorado State, returned to build a career in viticulture. He 1989 he took the reins as vineyard manager at The Lenz Winery in Peconic. He would go on to plant his own 16-acre vineyard in Jamesport beginning in 1993.On this episode hear how Sam helped shape the wine industry on the East End, starting in the vineyard and ending in the bottle.

Set between three bodies of water, with rich, glacial soil and a maritime climate, Long Island Wine Country is an East End paradise. The region includes more than 80 vineyards in three distinct AVAs with more than 50 farm wineries and tasting rooms.In our debut episode, award-winning winemakers Robin Epperson-McCarthy and Thomas Spotteck, talk about what makes this region so special.