Behemoth

COUNTRY: United States

REGION: Finger Lakes, NY

Ian Thorsen-McCarthy

“After several vintages in northern California, Ian McCarthy relocated to the finger lakes of New York to put down roots for good, starting a tiny production winery he called BEHEMOTH. In a converted garage space, Ian works with fruit farmed and foraged, working actively with growers to convert conventional vineyards to organic, regenerative practices, and tending to neglected apple orchards. Eschewing large machinery for human-scale production, grapes are harvested and de-stemmed by hand, and crushed under foot. All are spontaneously fermented, with no additions. A commitment to progressive farming means an emphasis on disease resistant hybrid and native grapes, and away from vinifera.

‘The late frost of May 2023 knocked out nearly 100% of the apples and pears that I work with. This meant for the first time that this was an (almost) only grape vintage. All are spontaneously fermented, and without added sulfur. De-stemming is done by hand with a wood board over the fermentors. All sparkling wines are disgorged. Aging takes place in either old wood, or flex tanks, (these three are all flex).’” - Ian

CUVÉES

Meet Your Neighbors

Region: Burdett, NY
Grape: Concord, Catawba, Cayuga, Geneva white #2, hibiscus, honey

Wet Lunch Vol. II

Region: Burdett, NY
Grape: Catawba
Winemaking: De-stemmed, macerated 1 week. On the lees for 8 months

Sweet Pea

Region: Burdett, NY
Grape: Cayuga, Geneva #2, black currants
Winemaking: Macerated 8 days