Channing Daughters Winery is a unique haven for artisanal winemaking on Long Island, rooted in a blend of innovation, respect for tradition, and a deep connection to the land. Located on 28 picturesque acres in Bridgehampton, this small but ambitious vineyard has become a beacon for wine lovers, thanks to its commitment to sustainable practices, experimentation, and authentic expression of the terroir. Channing Daughters is notable not only for the wines it creates but for the team behind them, especially Winemaker Christopher Tracy and General Manager Allison Dubin, who together have shaped the winery’s reputation for quality and creativity.
The Visionary Team Behind Channing Daughters: Christopher Tracy & Allison Dubin
Christopher Tracy, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and a former chef, brings an imaginative approach to winemaking that draws on his love for food and wine pairings. His understanding of flavors and textures has guided the winery’s innovative ethos, allowing Channing Daughters to embrace over two dozen grape varieties—far more than most vineyards in the region. Under his direction, the vineyard produces both familiar and lesser-known varietals, such as Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, and Blaufränkisch, alongside classics like Chardonnay, Merlot, and Syrah. Tracy’s vision goes beyond traditional winemaking methods; he believes that wine should be a genuine reflection of its environment. This is why he encourages techniques like co-fermenting red and white grapes, fermenting white wines on their skins, and experimenting with different aging vessels, from stainless steel tanks to barrels made of French, Slovenian, American, and Hungarian oak.
Allison Dubin, who has been instrumental in the winery’s development, oversees the daily operations with a focus on quality and sustainability. Her dedication to eco-friendly practices aligns with Channing Daughters’ values, making the winery one of the few certified sustainable vineyards on Long Island. Dubin ensures that every step of the process, from vineyard care to bottling, is guided by respect for the environment and a commitment to producing wines that are as responsible as they are enjoyable. Together, Dubin and Tracy have created an atmosphere of curiosity and commitment to excellence that permeates every aspect of the winery.
The Unique Terroir of Channing Daughters
The location of Channing Daughters in Bridgehampton provides a unique climate, with cooling Atlantic breezes that create ideal growing conditions for a wide range of grape varieties. The vineyards benefit from this microclimate, which imparts freshness and vibrancy to the wines. In addition to the estate vines, Channing Daughters sources nearly half of its grapes from select sites on the North Fork, particularly the renowned Mudd Vineyard. The Sculpture Garden Vineyard, planted in 1982, and the Mudd Vineyard, with vines dating back to the mid-1970s, provide the mature fruit that gives Channing Daughters wines their character and complexity.
An Artisanal Approach to Winemaking
The winery’s approach to winemaking emphasizes small-batch production and careful attention to detail. All grapes are handpicked, white grapes are gently whole-cluster pressed, and red grapes are foot-stomped and punched down by hand. This artisanal process, paired with a philosophy of letting the vineyard express itself, leads to wines that are distinctly “of the place.” Each bottle is a testament to Long Island’s diverse terroir, with single-vineyard varietal wines and blends showcasing the unique qualities of the region’s AVAs: The North Fork, The Hamptons, and Long Island.
A Portfolio as Diverse as the Palate
Channing Daughters’ portfolio reflects a breadth of flavors and styles that caters to a variety of palates and occasions. Their top wines—Scuttlehole Chardonnay, Rosso Fresco, Ramato, Rosato, and a range of Pet-Nats and Vino Bianco—demonstrate the winery’s commitment to both quality and variety. Each wine tells a story, whether it’s the crispness of the Scuttlehole Chardonnay, the lively complexity of the Pet-Nats, or the elegant, mineral-driven notes of the Ramato. These wines are created to pair effortlessly with food, a nod to Tracy’s culinary background, and serve as an invitation to experience the richness of Long Island wine country.
Sustainability and Community Commitment
As a member of New York’s sustainable wine-growing community, Channing Daughters contributes to the state’s vision of producing wines that are not only high in quality but deeply reflective of their origins. Their sustainable practices and respect for the land align with the core values of New York Wines, showcasing how dedication to responsible viticulture and innovation can enhance the region’s reputation.
Memories from the Harvest
For Christopher Tracy, the annual harvest season stands out as a defining moment in his winemaking journey, a period that embodies the culmination of the vineyard’s year-long labor and care. When asked if he has a favorite grape variety, he resists choosing, instead celebrating the diversity of varieties and styles that make each vintage at Channing Daughters unique. This philosophy resonates with the winery’s broad and varied wine selection, offering something for every mood, meal, and moment.
In Good Company: Admiring New York Peers
Channing Daughters also holds great respect for fellow New York winemakers like Red Tail Ridge and Hermann J. Wiemer. Tracy and Dubin admire these wineries for their commitment to quality, which they feel is essential to advancing the perception of New York wines on the national and international stage. In every bottle, Channing Daughters aims to convey not only the essence of the vineyard but also the passion and purpose of a team dedicated to excellence. Through the collaboration of Tracy, Dubin, and their dedicated staff, Channing Daughters continues to push the boundaries of New York winemaking, embodying the adventurous spirit that has made Long Island wine a force to be reckoned with.
About Mudd Vineyards
Mudd Vineyards is a legendary name in Long Island’s wine history, playing a pioneering role in shaping the region’s viticulture. Originally from Missouri, David Mudd and his son Steve moved to Southold in the 1950s, bringing their agricultural ingenuity to the East Coast. By 1974, the Mudds were planting vines for wine grapes, just as Long Island’s fledgling wine industry was beginning. Known for their tenacity and hands-on learning, Steve Mudd recalls how their early challenges forged a deep understanding of the art of grape growing. Over the decades, Steve and Mudd Vineyards have become essential players in vineyard development and management, working with producers across the East Coast to set up and manage successful vineyards.
Today, Mudd Vineyards is synonymous with quality and expertise, having influenced not only the fruit in some of Long Island’s most cherished wines but also the careers of renowned vineyard managers and winemakers like Richie Pisacano of Roanoke Winery and Wölffer Estate, and Rich Olsen-Harbich of Bedell Vineyards. Celebrating nearly 50 years in business and now transitioning to its third generation, Mudd Vineyards remains a bedrock of Long Island wine, cultivating vines and supporting the industry with unparalleled knowledge and a commitment to sustainable practices for the future.
