Some wines become more than just bottles on a shelf. They become part of a winery’s identity. They mark milestones, celebrate special occasions, introduce guests to a region, and quietly become the wines people return to year after year.
For us, those wines are Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Merlot.
Guests have poured them at weddings and anniversaries. Families have shared them over holiday dinners and backyard barbecues. Meanwhile, our team has introduced them to countless visitors discovering Long Island wine for the first time. They’ve grown alongside our winery, our vineyards, and our community. In many ways, they have helped shape the Suhru & Lieb Vineyards story, one vintage at a time.
Throughout August, we’re celebrating The Wines That Built Our Story. This series honors the wines that define who we are and why we love making wine on the North Fork.
This week, we’re highlighting three varietals that continue to define our vineyards. Together, they showcase what makes Long Island wine so distinctive.
If there is one wine most closely associated with Lieb Cellars, it’s Pinot Blanc.
Long before many American wine drinkers had heard of the variety, Pinot Blanc had already found an exceptional home on the North Fork. Today, we farm the largest contiguous planting of Pinot Blanc in the United States. As a result, the grape has become a defining part of both our vineyard and our history.
Many wine lovers consider Pinot Blanc a hidden gem. Related to Pinot Noir, it thrives in cool climates. These conditions allow the grapes to ripen slowly while preserving freshness and vibrant acidity. The North Fork’s maritime climate provides ideal growing conditions. Cooling breezes arrive from Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay throughout the season.
We ferment our Pinot Blanc entirely in stainless steel. This approach preserves its bright fruit, natural freshness, and expressive minerality.
Expect aromas of fresh pear, citrus blossom, green apple, and white peach. On the palate, lively acidity leads to a long, mineral-driven finish.
We often describe this wine as tasting like “sea spray in a glass.” Close your eyes and take a sip. Then, consider that the vineyard sits only a few hundred yards from Long Island Sound. That unmistakable freshness and salinity help make the wine uniquely North Fork.
The result is a wine that feels elegant without being complicated. It refreshes on a warm afternoon yet offers enough texture to accompany an entire meal.
One reason Pinot Blanc has become such a favorite is its incredible versatility at the table.
It pairs beautifully with:
Enjoy it overlooking the vines or around your own dinner table. Either way, Pinot Blanc remains one of our favorite expressions of the North Fork in both still and sparkling form.
Few grape varieties have earned worldwide recognition quite like Chardonnay. Part of its appeal comes from its remarkable ability to express where it grows. In warmer regions, it becomes rich and tropical. Here on Long Island, however, the cool maritime climate creates a vibrant, balanced, and unmistakably fresh style.
Our Estate Chardonnay reflects that philosophy. We use oak thoughtfully rather than allowing it to dominate the wine. In turn, the barrels add texture while preserving the bright fruit and natural acidity that define Long Island Chardonnay.
Look for aromas of ripe apple, citrus, pear, and subtle stone fruit. Hints of vanilla, baking spice, and gentle creaminess add another layer of character. Balanced acidity keeps the wine fresh from the first sip to the last. Consequently, this Chardonnay feels equally at home on its own or alongside a great meal.
Chardonnay’s versatility makes it one of our favorite wines for entertaining.
Enjoy it alongside:
It feels just as appropriate at a summer cookout as it does at a holiday dinner. That adaptability has helped make Chardonnay one of our signature wines for decades.
While Cabernet Franc often steals the spotlight, Merlot has quietly become one of the grapes that defines Long Island.
Our maritime climate allows Merlot to ripen slowly and evenly. As a result, the wines develop generous fruit, supple tannins, and remarkable balance. In fact, Merlot remains the most widely planted red grape on Long Island, and its success here is no accident. It’s approachable when young, rewarding with age, and exceptionally food-friendly.
Our Merlot opens with aromas of black cherry, plum, raspberry, and blackberry. Subtle notes of cedar, cocoa, baking spice, and earth add complexity. The palate is medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins and bright acidity. Finally, a long and elegant finish brings everything together.
Merlot shines alongside many of the foods that define the North Fork.
Try it with:
Its balance makes it equally suited for casual weeknight dinners and special celebrations.
Although each of these wines has its own personality, they all share something important in common. Each one expresses the place where it grows.
The North Fork’s cool maritime climate, sandy soils, and long growing season create naturally bright acidity, moderate alcohol, and exceptional balance. Because of those qualities, the wines taste delicious on their own and pair remarkably well with food.
Rather than overpowering a meal, they complement conversations, celebrations, and memorable moments around the table.
In many ways, that’s exactly how we think wine should be enjoyed—with good company, great food, and the people who matter most.
Every vintage tells a story. Some years bring warmer summers. Others challenge us with cooler temperatures or changing weather. Still, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Merlot remain at the heart of what we do.
Sometimes they shine as single-varietal wines. In other cases, they become key components in our blends or the foundation of our traditional-method sparkling wines.
Over the years, these wines have welcomed first-time visitors to our tasting room. They have also become longtime favorites among Wine Club members. In addition, restaurants throughout New York and the Northeast have featured them on their wine lists. Most importantly, they have introduced countless guests to the character of Long Island wine.
As we celebrate The Wines That Built Our Story, we remember that people rarely cherish a wine for flavor alone. They also remember the moments, meals, and people connected to every bottle.
Whether you’ve enjoyed these wines for years or are discovering them for the first time, we hope you’ll visit the tasting room and revisit an old favorite. You can also take a few bottles home to share around your own table.
After all, every great wine has a story. We’re grateful these have become part of ours.
Keep Reading in The Wines We Love to Share!
