fooD & DININg
Page 98 June 14, 2013
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Diliberto Vineyard & Winery Kayla, the staffer working in the tasting room, was kind enough to introduce me to Sal Diliberto, owner n what couldn’t have been a worse day for of the winery. We sat and chatted about his wine a winery experience, my lady friend and I while also talking about the tasting room and other ventured out to Jamesport’s Diliberto Winery in the amenities Diliberto Winery has to offer. “Our blend rain to enjoy a LivingSocial.com deal. The tasting is very popular because people are used to having menu offered only one white. To be honest, I’m not merlot, cabernet sauvignon, but the blends really into white wine, so that was fine by me. Ordering give you the best of the grapes, so, half-merlot, a a glass of 2009 Cantina for myself (a 50/50 blend of light cabernet franc helps give the wine a nice, warm merlot and Cabernet franc grapes) and a glass of quality,” Diliberto said. “We don’t make it every year, only when the grapes are top-notch. 2008 Sauvignon for my girlfriend, we When you have a great merlot and a enjoyed the calm tasting room, listening great cabernet, that’s when we make to Italian opera over the sound system. the Cantina. We were trying our absolute best to “The tasting room’s been open since be terrible wine snobs, but we were 2007, but we’ve been open since 1998, enjoying the wine and cheese too much making our own wines since 2001,” to be snobby about anything. The Diliberto said. “The town of Riverhead relaxed atmosphere of the tasting room tells you what you have to do with the was a welcome distraction from the outside of the building, but we could do apocalyptic downpour outside. To be whatever we wanted to with the interior. honest, the heavy rain pouring down on Most wineries started with and use an the vineyard was actually a lovely image, old barn from a farm, but my wife and with the grape-bearing vines seemingly I went out and visited California and dancing under the oppressive rainfall. looked at beautiful tasting rooms where The Cantina is apparently one of the all wine tastings were done at the table. more popular choices for those in the We think that gives you a more intimate tasting room. For good reason, too—it feeling.” was delicious. Fragrant without being The interior of the tasting room is over the top, dry, but not overtly so, done up to resemble a small Italian I enjoyed it quite a bit. Sipping on town, inspired by the area where the Sauvignon, I picked up on subtle Diliberto’s family comes from. “My hints of raspberry and cherry; it was wife’s family and my family both come a delicious, sweeter alternative to the from Italy, so the storefronts we have Cantina. While far from a wine expert, painted on the walls all have a special I know what I like, and the two wines meaning for us. It gives you a sense that sampled at Diliberto Vineyard & Winery the road to wine... wine always tastes better in the piazza. were winners for me.
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Sitting in this piazza, the wine just tastes better. The fact that you’re enjoying yourself, you’re off in another country, everything tastes better, everything is better. We wanted to project that feeling,” Diliberto said. A very Venician-inspired experience, Diliberto Winery’s latest addition includes an apartment rental. The near-700 square foot apartment includes all the amenities one could look for on vacation, including room for up to four people. Folks can enjoy a weekend of wine drinking and relaxing at the vineyard itself for around $250 per night. For $29, you can get a bottle of Cantina wine, a jar of sauce and a pound of pasta to take home. That is a fabulous deal! Diliberto Winery is a great, intimate spot for folks to come and enjoy a glass of wine, a cheese plate, or some pizza. For a reasonably priced, relaxed atmosphere and solid service, (even on a terribly rainy day), check out Diliberto Winery’s delicious selection of wines. For more information, visit dilibertowinery.com or call 631-722-3416.
S avo r i n g The hampTonS by Silvia Lehrer
Seafood Market Fresh Fish, Live Shellfish and Lobster Tanks, Locavore Seafood Market Fresh Produce, Locally Produced Gourmet Foods
Fresh Fish,and Live Shellfish and Lobster Tanks, Fresh Produce, Eat-In Take-Out Restaurant
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andParties, Take-Out Clambakes,Eat-In Private House BBQ’s, PigRestaurant Roasts and more.
Extensive menu7ofDays local seafood and chef’s specials. Open | Yeardishes Round
Open 7 Days Breakfast
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Lunch
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252 East Montauk Highway, Hamptons Bays
Catering 631-728-FISH (3474)
Dinner
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Daily homemade mozzarella and breads n paninis n grass-fed burgers n breakfast pizzas This summer n salads n gelato organic local greens nitrate-free meats n antibiotic/hormone free n n
eat We DeLiver!
let Café Crust cater your at-home event by the pool, dining room or patio.
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Open 7-Days, Year Round
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Savoring the hamptonS celebrates the bounty of the farms and the character of the string of villages of more than 250 recipes is accompanied by stories and photos of local wineries, farmers, fisherman and restauranteurs to create a Hampton mosaic like no other.
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Beginning Fri June 14 = Chef’s Tasting Starting at 5pm Daily
Come Join Us And Sample the Incredible Selection of Family Style Cooking Bring your own wine = Reservations Suggested $30 per person Call for information = 631.996.4550 674 Montauk Highway = East Quogue
Come Join