The Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing Movers & Makers Interview Series is a celebration of the individuals behind the sustainable wine movement on Long Island. These winemakers and grape growers are on the forefront of reducing environmental impact while investing in the future of Long Island wine. Each featured vineyard is LISW Certified, and each Sustainability Leader has a unique strategy for continuous improvement beyond certification. The fruits of their labor include reduced carbon emissions, healthy soil, delicious wine, and so much more!
Interview with Ami Opisso, Lieb Cellars
Lieb Cellars is a 94-acre farm-winery on the North Fork of Long Island, dedicated to crafting clean, balanced, fruit-driven still and sparkling wines.
Ami is a certified sommelier and the General Manager of Lieb Cellars. Prior to joining Lieb she spent 3 years as the Tasting Room and Wine Club Manager at another boutique winery on Long Island and 8 years working in wine & spirits account management at marketing agencies in NYC and Chicago. She lives in Mattituck with her husband, 2 kids and Golden Retriever, Birdie.
LISW: What inspired you to be a part of the sustainable wine movement on Long Island?
AO: Lieb has always farmed sustainably. In 2005, Lieb received a USDA grant for “meeting high standards of conservation and protecting the environment.” Getting certified by LISW was a way to more formally commit to our standards and to ensure that we’re on the forefront of sustainable viticultural practices.
LISW: What sustainability practices do you apply in your vineyard/winery?
AO: Using only non-toxic, low-impact sprays, using a recyclable sprayer to which recovers spray vs. emitting it into the air, hand harvesting and packaging a percentage of wines in eco-friendly containers.
LISW: What are some of the benefits you see from sustainable winegrowing?
AO: A healthy vineyard of course, but there are also sales benefits. Increasingly, buyers and consumers are looking to make more educated, thoughtful decisions when it comes to the things they’re purchasing and consuming. There are now buyers in NYC who will only buy wines from vineyards that are sustainable or organic, and guests who seek out wines made sustainably. We’re grateful for this trend. It justifies the work and the investment we’re making in our vineyards.
LISW: What sustainability trends or technologies are you excited for in the future of Long Island wine?
AO: We’re most excited about the growth in the canned wine category. Aluminum cans are an excellent vessel for packaging wine. They keep out oxygen, are recycled at a higher rate than glass bottles and produce a 20% lower carbon footprint. We’ve seen tremendous growth in our Bridge Lane canned wines sales since we introduced them in 2017 and hope that growth continues
To learn more about Ami Opisso and Lieb Cellars visit: https://liebcellars.com/