Land & Legacy

Paumanok Vineyards was founded in 1983 on a former potato farm in Aquebogue, New York, when Ursula and Charles Massoud planted the first vines with a clear conviction: great wine begins in the vineyard. Still family-owned and operated today, Paumanok farms its estate with patience and purpose. The North Fork’s maritime climate and sandy soils shape wines defined by balance, clarity, and a strong sense of place.

A Family Estate

Wine has always been part of the Massoud family story. Ursula grew up in a winemaking family in Germany’s Pfalz region, while Charles came from a hospitality background rooted in Lebanon. Together, they built Paumanok as an estate winery—overseeing every step from planting to bottling. Today, the estate is led by the next generation, with Kareem Massoud serving as winemaker, continuing a vineyard first philosophy shaped by decades spent walking the vines alongside his parents.

Stewardship & Sustainablity

Paumanok is certified by Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing and has been 100% solar-powered since 2017. Farming and winemaking follow a minimalist approach, emphasizing vine health and careful canopy management. The estate was an early adopter of screw caps on Long Island, and in 2015 released its first no-sulfite-added wine. In 2024, Paumanok was the first farm in the Northeast to take delivery of an electric tractor, and one more in 2025. These tractors directly reduce diesel consumption as they perform the same work and are powered by electricity instead of diesel.