Page 44 February 15, 2013
DAN’S PAPERS
danshamptons.com WINERIES
NORTH FORK EVENTS
Drink in the whole North Fork!
So much to see and do this weekend!
By nicholas chowske
W
hen the Entenmann brothers sold their bakery in the late ’70s, Robert Entenmann bought an old potato farm with the intent of raising thoroughbred race horses. As his farm grew, he began to notice things on the North Fork were beginning to change. “They saw the viticulture happening around them and decided to get involved in the industry in the early 90s,” said Juan Mecieli-Martinez, Martha Clara’s head winemaker. “That’s when he and his daughter, Jacqueline, started planting vines and subsequently started Martha Clara Vineyards.” “He named the vineyard after his mother, Martha Clara Entenmann, and his mom’s signature is on all of our labels,” said Gina Messa, wine club manager at Martha Clara. The vineyard produces a number of delicious wines, but they’ve recently become known for their Riesling. “We won some prestigious awards in 2011,” Mecieli-Martinez said. “We won Best Riesling in New York State, as well as best wine, and we won another competition that was best Riesling and best wine, overall, on the East Coast.” Messa said. “We outsourced some grapes from the Finger Lakes region, along with our estate Riesling grapes here.” Over the years, Martha Clara Vineyards has blossomed into a large, family-friendly winery and farm that not only produces award-winning wines, but also hosts live music, weddings, wine classes and
NORTH FORK For more events happening this week, check out: Arts & Galleries Listings pg. 47, Calendar pg. 50, Kids’ Calendar pg. 52
thursday, february 14 VALENTINE’S DAY AT ROANOKE VINEYARDS WINE LIBRARY 5:30 p.m., first seating, 8 p.m., second seating. Roanoke Vineyards & Amarelle are teaming up for a Valentine’s Day four-course dinner and wine pairing in the Roanoke Vineyards Wine Library at 3543 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. Reservations required, 631-727-4161 roanokevineyards.com
friday, february 15 LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY AT THE NORTH FORK TASTING ROOM 6–10 p.m., Listen to local musician Walter Finley while you sample Long Island beer and wine. “Friday Night Flights,” a gourmet happy hour Also 2/22, 4–7 p.m. 3225 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. 631-727-9513 northforktastingroom.com FRIDAY NIGHT FIRE PITS: JAMESPORT VINEYARDS 7 p.m. 1216 Main Rd., Jamesport. Serving wine until 9 p.m. 631-722-5256 jamesportwines.com WINTERFEST WARM UP AT THE HILTON 7–10 p.m., Friday nights through 3/15. Part of the Long Island Winterfest, Jazz on the Vine Concert Series. Complimentary warm spiced wine upon arrival. Tapas and buffet dining are available. 2038 Old Country Rd., Riverhead. liwinterfest.com
saturday, february 16 LIVE MUSIC AT PECONIC BAY WINERY 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 31320 Main Road, Cutchogue. Reservations
events throughout the year. “We do live music every Saturday and Sunday, and that’s free,” Messa said. “In the summer, we have live music outside, so people come and get a glass of wine and relax.” In addition to live music and wine, Martha Clara also has a variety of animals, including pigs and fainting goats, which can be fed, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides. “The horse-drawn carriage tours that we do take you up and around the property and you can see the Entenmann’s home,” Messa said. “One of the key features of Martha Clara is that, not only do we have 100 acres planted to vine, we have about another 80 acres of land, which allows us to do different things, whether it be weddings or largescale concerts,” Mecieli-Martinez said. This August, Martha Clara will be hosting the first annual All for the East End (AFTEE) charity concert, which is expected to draw more than 5,000 people. “We have the ability to handle the logistics of something that size, and to accommodate that many people,” Mecieli-Martinez said. “Not many people can do that out here, and on top of that, we can serve world-class wines as well.” Martha Clara also offers an education series for people who are looking to learn more about wine and food pairing. Another program which is gaining popularity is their Vines and Canines Educational Walk. “We’re very pet friendly here,” Mecieli-Martinez said. “I host a vineyard walk called Vines that’s an opportunity for people to come out with their dogs and do a 45-minute guided walk through the vineyard
recommended. 631-734-7361 LIVE MUSIC AT DILIBERTO WINERY 2–5 p.m. Live music. 250 Manor Lane, Jamesport. 631-722-3416 LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY AT LIEB CELLARS 2–6 p.m. Rain or shine. Open every day from 12–7, half-price glasses Mon.–Fri. from 4–7 p.m. 631-298-1942 TALK AND PANEL DISCUSSION 4:30 p.m. “Discrimination in ‘Post-Racist’ America,” presented by East End Arts & Suffolk County Historical Society. In conjunction with East End Art’s art show, “Diversity.” 300 W. Main Street, Riverhead. 631-727-0900 WINTERFEST JAZZ ON THE VINE $20 at the door includes a glass of wine. For a full schedule of events, performers, and winery locations, check out liwinterfest.com LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY AT THE NORTH FORK TASTING ROOM 6–10 p.m. 3225 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. 631-727-9513 northforktastingroom.com
sunday, february 17 LIVE MUSIC AT PECONIC BAY WINERY 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 31320 Main Road, Cutchogue. 631-734-7361 VIP VINE TO WINE TOUR AT SANNINO BELLA VITA VINEYARD Noon–2 p.m. Mini viniculture and winemaking lesson with owner/winemaker Anthony Sannino. Wine tasting, cheese plate, special discounts. $20. Also on Sundays. 1375 Peconic Lane, Peconic. 631-734-8282 sanninovineyard.com SUNDAY WITH GRANDMA 1–3 p.m. 3–course wine pairing dinner with fresh mozzarella, homemade pasta & demo. $39 per person. Reservations required. 631-722-3416 dilibertowinery.com
N. Chowske
Martha Clara Vineyards’ Main Events
Get your wine from the tap!
and learn a little bit about what’s happening, in terms of the viticulture here on Long Island.” Ensuring that viticulture stays healthy is important to Mecieli-Martinez, which is why he and the vineyard introduced their wine on tap three years ago. “You can choose to buy wine from a conventional bottle, or you can have wine on tap,” he said. “You can purchase our wines on tap in decorative one-liter or half-liter bottles.” Selling wine on tap minimizes waste and the production of glass bottles. “It eliminated the need for us to purchase six tons of glass, and we’re just one winery doing that. It’s cost-saving as well, and we do pass that savings on to the consumer,” he said. Martha Clara Vineyards, 631-298-0075, 6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead marthaclaravineyards.com
OPICK OF THE WEEK FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
Music at North Fork Tasting Room 6–10 p.m. (see below) LIVE MUSIC AT COREY CREEK VINEYARDS 1–5 p.m. 45470 Main Rd., Route 25, Southold. Custom catering. 631-765-4168 bedellcellers.com SHELTER ISLAND FRIENDS OF MUSIC PIANO CONCERT 3 p.m. Dalia Lazar performs music by Chopin and Liszt. Meet the artist reception and refreshments following the concert. Free admission, donations welcome. Shelter Island Presbyterian Church, 32 N Ferry Rd. 631-631-749-2251 WINTERFEST ‘JAZZ ON THE VINE’ $20 at the door includes a glass of wine. For a full schedule of events and winery locations, check out liwinterfest.com
tuesday, february 19 WINTER BREAK CLASSES AT EAST END ARTS SCHOOL 10–11:00 a.m., ages 5–7, or 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m., ages 8–10. Four days of fun art projects, 2/19-2/22. Held at East End Arts School, 141 East Main St., Riverhead. $12 per class, $18 for non-members. Check out East Ends Arts website for upcoming classes for kids and adults for Spring 2013. Call to register, 631-369-2171 eastendarts.org WINTER ON THE FARM 10–11:30 a.m. or 2–3:30 p.m. for ages 5–8. Also on 2/21 for ages 8–12. Children learn about life on the farm during winter, meet animals, enjoy stories & hot cocoa. Two sessions each day, $12 per session, $10 for Hallockville members and for multi-sibling enrollment. To register 631-298-5292 hallockville.com Send listings to kelly@danspapers.com before noon on Friday. Check out danshamptons.com for more listings and events.