DAN'S PAPERS, October 24, 2008 Page 41 www.danshamptons.com
Dan’s North Fork
Over The Barrel... with Lenn Thompson
The North Fork has been one big parking lot of late… and that can only mean that it’s pumpkinpicking season on Long Island. On Columbus Day weekend, both Route 25 and Route 24 were car covered as far as the eye could see. What is a wine-loving non-pumpkin picker to do? Well, one could stay home, but where’s the fun in that. Instead, check out one of Long Island’s best – and western most – wineries: Roanoke Vineyards. The added bonus is that they are far enough west on Route 48 that you get there, taste, and get home before the traffic. And, Roanoke Vineyards offers the unique opportunity to taste not only their own wines, but also those from Wolffer Estate Vineyards in the Hamptons. Both sets of wines are made by Roman Roth, winemaker at Wolffer, and Roanoke Vineyards is owned by Wolffer’s vineyard manager, Rich Pisacano. Last weekend, I hosted a LENNDEVOURS (the name of my wine blog) Wine Bar Event at Roanoke to raise money for Peconic Land Trust. We had 45 or so
Photo by Lenn Thompson
Roanoke Vineyards
people attend and it was a lot of fun. We tasted two not-yet-released wines: Roanoke Vineyards 2006 Gabby’s Cabernet Franc and Lieb Family Cellars 2007 Pinot Blanc. The 2006 Gabby’s Cabernet Franc was extremely young – it won’t be released for another 9-12 months – but with decanting it showed a delicious complexity of fruit, spice and vanilla, with ripe, but somewhat
firm tannins that should soften with that additional time in bottle. Lieb’s pinot blanc is always worth checking out — it exhibits a minerality found in few Long Island wines. The 2007 bottling displays the heat of the vintage in its broadness, it’s ripeness and the tropical fruit flavors. It still has its acid backbone though and, in my opinion, may be the best vintage to date. It’s very much in the mold of pinot blanc from Alsace. Regardless of the wines, the best part was that we will donate all of the net proceeds the Peconic Land Trust, an important local organization that strives to protect Long Island’s working farms, natural lands and heritage. In addition to ticket sales — $10 per ticket – a portion of every glass of wine sold and the money we raised with a wine-filled raffle will go to the PLT. Even without a fundraiser to entice you, do yourself a favor and check out Roanoke Vineyards. Can’t-Miss Wines: Roanoke Vineyards 2005 Blend One, Wolffer Estate 2004 Cabernet Franc, Roanoke Vineyards 2007 Rose.
North Fork Events
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 DEARLY DEPARTED- 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. Southold High School Drama Club presents its first annual fall production “Dearly Departed,” comedy by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones. In Southold District Auditorium; directed by Jessica Ellwood and Casey Rooney. Tickets, $5, available at school and Southold Pharmacy. 631-765-5081. WALK AGAINST CANCER- 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: First annual walk to benefit cancer care sponsored by Suffolk County Community College Eastern Campus, Riverhead, and the Strive For Success Club. Check-in at 11 a.m.; noon walk time; $5 entry fee.
Sign up in Campus Activities Peconic Building Room 119. 631-548-3654, 631-548-2522. CHILI NIGHT AT MARTHA CLARA- 7-11 p.m.: North Fork Environmental Council’s Chili Night at Martha Clara Vineyards, Riverhead. Local restaurants compete for title of best overall chili, best vegetarian chili, hottest chili and people’s choice. Live music by Sahara. Tickets, $50. Seating limited; reserve at 631-298-8880. Portion of proceeds benefits New Suffolk Waterfront Fund. BREAST CANCER AWARENESS- 1-3 p.m.: Breast cancer awareness fundraiser to help North Fork women battling breast cancer hosted by Curves, Cutchogue. Chinese auction, raffles and door prizes; soft drinks and treats available for small donation. 631-734-7066. THE DECORDOVA STUDIO AND GALLERY2008 Discovery Workshop Immersion course at the deCordova Studio and Gallery in Greenport. Contact 631-477-0620. Designed to explore the limitless world of water media. 10 hours of instruction! FALL INTO HALLOWEEN- 1-4 p.m.: Fall Into Halloween family event hosted by Oysterponds Historical Society at Old Point School House, Village Lane; pumpkin painting, hayrides, games, crafts, bake sale, refreshments and more. Costumes welcome; Red Barn Penny Candy store open. 631-323-
2480. NIGHTMARE OF YOU CONCERT- 5 p.m.: Nightmare of You concert presented by Take Back Productions at Greenport American Legion hall features Show Me Action, Myriad, All Grown Up and more. Tickets, $12 at door. takebackproductions.com. THE UNEXPECTED RECORDER- 4 p.m.: ‘The Unexpected Recorder,’ performance of medieval to modern jazz music by The Recorder Orchestra of New York; at Peconic Landing, Greenport. Free; RSVP: 631-477-3800, ext. 229. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 THE DECORDOVA STUDIO AND GALLERY2008 Discovery Workshop Immersion course at the deCordova Studio and Gallery in Greenport. Contact 631-477-0620. Designed to explore the limitless world of water media. 10 hours of instruction! FALL CONCERT- 4 p.m.: First concert of fall Concerts at the Bend features pianist Charlotte Day and flutist Linda Wetherill who perform works by Anna Amalia von Preussen, Beethoven, Daniel Kessner, Chou Wen-Chung and Mirtru EscalonaMijares. Admission at door: $20; seniors/students, $15. 631-734-6389.
A Touchh off Venicee Restaurant
The
fine water view dining
Fine North Fork Cuisine prepared with Italian soul Water view and patio dining “Along with the local bounty, A Touch of Venice offers white tablecloth dining with views of bobbing boats and spectacular sunsets” Rated - very good - NY times
Everyday Except Saturday Open Wed to Sun from 12 noon
Est. 1930
German & Italian Specialties
known to Melt in your Mouth!
* Large Wine list showcasing Long Island and Regional Italian Wine
Veal Franchaise 1st Place Winner “Best Chili” 2006 & 2007
Private Room for your special Occasion
1194865
298-5851 1194856
OF THE
Shrimp Scampi Authentic Sauerbraten
4 Course Prix Fixe Dinners $27
2255 Wickham Avenue, Mattituck touchofvenice.com
BEST BEST 2006
Restaurant at
Open 7 Days a week for lunch and dinner
Main Road • Mattituck (631) 298-8311 Across from the Mattituck Movie Theater
1194855
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 DEARLY DEPARTED- 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. Southold High School Drama Club presents its first annual fall production “Dearly Departed,” comedy by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones. In Southold District Auditorium; directed by Jessica Ellwood and Casey Rooney. Tickets, $5, available at school and Southold Pharmacy. 631-765-5081. GAME AND CARD PARTY- 2-4:30 p.m.: Game and card party hosted by the Woman’s Club of Riverhead at George. G. Young Community Center, Jamesport. Refreshments, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, games and more. 631-281-9250.