Floral Terranes Petit Verdot, North Fork of Long Island, New York

The 2022 Floral Terranes Petit Verdot, North Fork of Long Island, USA, is a fiercely expressive, small-production red that rewrites the script for this underdog grape on the East Coast. Crafted by Erik Longabardi and Benford Lepley in their modest Long Island garage winery, this wine is a passionate argument in favor of Petit Verdot, soulful, inky, and driven by intent more than convention.

Product Details:

• Grape Variety: Petit Verdot
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Body: Medium to full
• Viticulture: Organic / Biodynamic
• Vinification: Low-intervention; wild yeast fermentation; no sulfur added; unfined and unfiltered; aged in neutral French oak
• Flavor Profile: Blackberry, plum, black pepper, leather, dried spices, dried tobacco
• Texture: Silky, satiny with super-fine tannins
• Pairing: Grilled lamb chops
• Winemakers: Erik Longabardi & Benford Lepley

Sensory Description:

Pouring a brooding bull’s blood hue, the 2022 Petit Verdot is dark, dense, and deeply evocative. Its aromas unfold with ripe blackberry and plump black plum, laced with pepper, leather, and the subtle smokiness of dried tobacco. Despite its depth and visual intensity, the palate is electric, lifted by natural acidity and a surprisingly refined structure. Fine tannins and a velvety texture carry the wine through a long, balanced finish that pulses with energy and understated power.

Winemaker's Background:

Floral Terranes is an anomaly, an emotionally charged, community-rooted project brought to life by Erik Longabardi and Benford Lepley. With full-time day jobs, they devote their spare hours to preserving forgotten fruit, reclaiming Long Island’s potential, and creating wines that speak with honesty. Their minimalist approach is purposeful, and their dedication palpable, each bottle a product of sweat, soul, and shared love. From reviving neglected apple orchards to crafting wines in a suburban garage, their vision defies economics and trends, offering instead authenticity and profound care.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve slightly below room temperature, around 60–62°F, to preserve the wine's verve and highlight its layered complexity. Ideal with grilled lamb chops or other herb-crusted red meats, this wine also pairs elegantly with aged cheeses or rustic dishes with roasted vegetables.

The 2022 Floral Terranes Petit Verdot, North Fork of Long Island, USA, is more than just a compelling wine; it is a labor of love, a manifesto of purity, and a reminder that great things often start small.