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76 WINES&VINES July 2015 GRAPEGROWING WINE EAST cated that locally generated information about varieties and clones was their top research priority. As a fine wine industry, growers have long recognized the importance of producing ripe, high-quality fruit from varieties suited to Long Island terroir. In response to this need, the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County grape research program started a clone and variety trial at the Long Island Horticul- tural Research and Extension Center in River- head in 1993. To date, 49 varieties have been evaluated for their adaptation to the island's unique microclimate and terroir. The Long Island industry Grape production on Long Island is concen- trated on the North Fork, a narrow strip of land that is 25 miles long and between 2 and 5 miles wide, bounded by the Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay, with additional plantings near Bridgehampton on the South Fork. Its maritime climate and sandy soils provide an environ- ment uniquely suited to growing premium vinifera grapes. Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean moderate both summer and winter temperatures and provide a frost-free growing season that often extends into Novem- ber. The industry is comprised of 2,000 acres of grapes, roughly equivalent in size to the Finger Lakes (2,200 acres of vinifera), Ohio (2,200 acres) and slightly smaller than Virginia (2,900 acres). Its 48 wineries produce 600,000 cases of wine (1.4 million gallons) annually, which are well regarded by local, regional and national consumers and wine critics. Trial evaluations The original planting focused on clonal selec- tions of the three most commercially impor- tant varieties: Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. All clones were repli- cated on C3309 and MG101-14 rootstocks and as own-rooted vines. The inclusion of own- rooted vines came at the behest of the late Robert M. Pool, professor emeritus of viticul- ture at Cornell. Since then, a series of other white and red varieties have been planted to help define which varieties thrive with Long Island's maritime climate and sandy soils. Each season, a written report and yield component data are compiled and shared with Long Island The original planting focused on clonal selections of the three most commercially important varieties: Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.