Brooklyn Winery – The Urban Winemaking

Brooklyn Winery is an urban, boutique winery located in the heart of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New York. At this boutique urban winery set in Brooklyn’s vibrant Williamsburg neighborhood, winemaker Conor McCormack works to craft premium small batch wines that combine tradition with innovation.

Wine And The City In Brooklyn

The Winery sources grapes from boutique vineyards across the country. Making a broad portfolio of wines each year has plenty of challenges, but the passion and dedication from everyone involved makes it all worthwhile.

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Co-founders Brian Leventhal and John Stires previously worked together at an internet startup. While there, they made their own wine with a group of co-workers at a winemaking facility in New Jersey for three years running. After realizing what an incredible amount of fun winemaking is, then observing a nearly complete lack of wineries in Brooklyn and recognizing that New Yorkers are obsessed with all things local, Brian and John quit their jobs (in a terrible economy, no less) to open the business.

VIDEO: Urban Winemaking with Brooklyn Winery

In the end, it was Brian and John’s unrelenting passion and dedication to their innovative idea that led them to officially open the winery less than a year after the company’s inception. It’s that passion and dedication that permeates every aspect of Brooklyn Winery, from the wines crafted to the exceptional service they and their team provide.

By building partnerships based on trust and mutual respect with premium grape growers across the country, Brooklyn Winery winemaker Conor McCormack has established relationships that allow him to showcase the best varieties that each region has to offer.

Blind Taste Test

Although uncommon, sourcing grapes from all corners of the United States and getting them delivered fresh to the winery for production gives them the unique chance to highlight the flavor profiles that different American grape growing regions are known for. The challenges of an urban setting spur creativity, resulting in the wide variety of innovative and elegant wines created by our winemaking team.

“Maybe I don’t know what I like in wine.”

The menu of housemade wines includes about 20 varieties at a time, like a North Fork red blend, a barrel-fermented Riesling, and a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. At Brooklyn Winery, they are committed to making small batch artisanal wines for enjoyment. Winemaker Conor McCormack’s style is based on a traditional “hands off” approach while incorporating modern techniques to ensure the best results possible; the idea is to let the fruit speak for itself with minimal interference.

Conor strives to showcase different styles of wine—whether elegant and earthy or big and fruity—but always lets the fruit guide him throughout the winemaking process so that the end result embodies a real sense of place. Conor and his winemaking team put a tremendous amount of passion and skill into creating Brooklyn Winery wines—and it shows.

The Wine Selection

2014 Blanc de Blancs

This sparkling wine was made using Methodé Champenoise, the classic French style of winemaking that involves a secondary fermentation in the bottle. Bright apple and pear notes dominate the aromatics and palate. Glazed pear brioche, honey-apple hard candy align with a strong minerality along wet river stones, with a generous mid-palate and lengthy finish. 36 months Aged on lees prior to disgorge.

2015 Chardonnay – Uncorked

One of their most popular white wines, this French Chablis-style Chardonnay is fermented in stainless steel drums as opposed to oak barrels, giving it a crisp, bright acidity, similar to what you would expect from a Sauvignon Blanc. Not your traditional Chardonnay, this delicious white wine is perfect for warm weather and casual sipping.

2013 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

This Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon—only bottled in the best of vintages—is a true representation of the North Fork of Long Island. 2013 was an exceptional growing season and the resulting wines deserved a special designated bottling. This beautiful red wine is big, powerful, and exactly the type of wine you want on your dinner table—the bold flavors and intensity make this reserve red an excellent choice for any occasion.

I do like red wine better. – I like red wine better.
– Oh, you do? – 100% yeah

The Try Wives

Learn more about Brooklyn Winery on their website.