Walter Channing, a Boston native who made waves in New York City's venture capital scene, harbored a deep passion for rescuing and transforming discarded materials. When the demolition of Hudson River piers offered a treasure trove of seasoned wood, Channing sprung into action, saving hundreds of feet from destruction. Over time, this salvaged wood found new life as furniture, sculptures, and art pieces, each one a testament to the material's inherent beauty and strength. Channing's artistic talents have been showcased at prestigious galleries across the country, including the O.K. Harris Gallery and the Indianapolis Museum of Fine Arts.

In 1982, Channing's creative pursuits took a new turn when he planted his first Chardonnay vines on his Bridgehampton farm, laying the foundation for Channing Daughters Winery. In 1995, he joined forces with Larry Perrine, a distinguished viticulturist and enologist. Perrine's impressive background included working for Mudd's Vineyard, a Long Island pioneer, and developing Cornell's first formal Grape Research Program for the region. His expertise in viticulture proved invaluable to Channing Daughters.

The winery welcomed another key player in 2001: Christopher James Tracy. Tracy, now a partner and winemaker, brought a wealth of experience and a dedication to innovation. He championed practices like indigenous yeast fermentation, longer extraction periods, and small batches, all with the goal of pushing Long Island wines to new heights. Under the combined vision of Channing, Perrine, and Tracy, Channing Daughters has become a leader in sustainable viticulture and world-class wine production.

Sustainability is a core principle at Channing Daughters Winery, evident in their meticulous vineyard management practices.

L'Enfant Sauvage Vineyard: This half-acre plot boasts the oldest Chardonnay vines on the South Fork (over 33 years old) and forms the heart of their Burgundian-style Chardonnay. While some Chardonnay remains, the vineyard has been partially replanted with Dornfelder and Lagrein, earlier-ripening grape varieties suited to the region's climate.

Sculpture Garden Vineyard: Originally a Merlot vineyard (planted 1987), this site has evolved into a co-planted haven featuring Blaufrankisch and Teroldego grapes alongside the Merlot. The Bridgehampton Silt Loam soil here provides ideal conditions for Merlot, which thrives with readily available water throughout the growing season.

Scuttlehole Vineyard: Planted in 1991 with Dijon clones 95 and 96 Chardonnay, this gently sloping vineyard transitions from Scuttlehole Road down to the winery and Brick Kiln Vineyard. The unique Riverhead Fine Sandy Loam soil, with its gravelly composition, allows for earlier bud break and ripening compared to the Bridgehampton soils.

Brick Kiln Vineyard: Originally planted with Dijon Chardonnay clones, this vineyard features Bridgehampton Silt Loam soil with a unique twist – a distinct layer of blue-grey clay roughly 30 inches down. This clay layer influences the soil's character, impacting drainage, minerality, and root development.

Sylvanus Complex: This intricate area encompasses four distinct sub-blocks. Two acres comprise the namesake "Sylvanus Vineyard," a field blend of Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, and Muscat Ottonel grapes used to produce their Sylvanus wine. The remaining area features a diverse topography, playing host to a 1.5-acre Blaufrankisch/Dornfelder block, a 3.0-acre Tocai Friulano block, and a 4.0-acre Mosaico block featuring a captivating blend of Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Muscat Ottonel, Tocai Friulano, and Chardonnay.

Sustainability is not just a buzzword at Channing Daughters Winery. Partner/CEO Larry Perrine played a pivotal role in collaborating with Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, and fellow Long Island winemakers. Together, they established the Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing (LISW) program – an independent, third-party certification program specifically designed for the region's unique viticultural needs. This program takes inspiration from successful West Coast initiatives like Lodi Rules and Oregon LIVE.

This dedication to sustainability extends to their winemaking philosophy. Channing Daughters prioritizes natural wines with minimal intervention, allowing the grapes to express the distinct character of Long Island's terroir. The result? A captivating range of wines brimming with personality.