In what must be one of the longest sentences the famously succinct scribe ever composed, Ernest Hemingway himself praised wine as, “One of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”

You said a mouthful, Papa.

A truly delicious mouthful that those looking to tip a glass on Bainbridge know all about.

Having been named “the Northwest’s new wine destination” by Sunset Magazine in 2010, Bainbridge Island is a spot worth a sommelier. It boasts seven unique, independent wineries for parched pilgrims to visit, tour and, of course, to taste.

“A visit to any one of our wineries and you’ll know you’ve found something special,” is the greeting offered by the Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island. “Our wines are made with passion, some from grapes grown right on the island.  Our wine production is limited. We make wine by the tens of barrels, not hundreds or thousands.

“Our wineries rely on simpler techniques and less machinery, so they’re similar to the way wine has always been made. Though each winery is independent, we help each other with equipment, supply sources and knowledge. It’s all about the wine and we pour our passion into every bottle.”

The island alliance’s wineries, found across the Rock from Fort Ward to Manzanita, include: Amelia Wynn Winery (www.ameliawynnwinery.com; tasting room located at 450 Winslow Way East), Bainbridge Vineyards (www.bainbridgevineyards.com, located at 8989 NE Day Road), Eagle Harbor Winery (www.ehwineco.com, tasting room at 278 Winslow Way), Eleven Winery (www.elevenwinery.com; tasting room at 287 Winslow Way East), Fletcher Bay Winery (www.fletcherbaywinery.com; located at 9415 Coppertop Loop), Island Vintners Tasting Room (www.islandvintners.com; located at 450 Winslow Way East), Perennial Vintners (www.perennialvintners.com, located in a private home at 8840 NE Lovgreen Road – if you’re already in the area, don’t hesitate to call or text Mike Lempriere’s cell 206-200-5902 for a drop-in), and Rolling Bay Winery (www.rollingbaywinery.com, located at 10314 Beachcrest Drive).

You’ll find to fussy business here, either. Every single island winery was begun for fun – no family dynasties or highfalutin heritage in sight.

“Though winemaking on the island goes back to the 1970s, all seven of the Winery Alliance of Bainbridge Island wineries got started after 2003,” according to the alliance. “But with each new year, their passions grew from making just wine, to making pretty good wine, to making extremely good wine, award-winning in fact.”

With the weather warming up and the sun hanging around longer all the time, many of the island wineries offer tours and even regular musical entertainment. Also slated for a return this summer, July 23-24, is the “Wine on the Rock” weekend event: two full days of wine, music and food at each of the seven Bainbridge Island wineries.

Events will take place at each winery from 12 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets, on sale now for $30 each, include a special event wine glass, wine tasting at each of the seven wineries, food bites to complement the wines and live music at each stop.

Visit www.bainbridgewineries.com for more information, as well as more about the history of island wine and links to all seven of the Rock-based wineries own websites.