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Enjoy a grilled cheese and glass of wine March 21 at Sherwood House Vineyard in Jamesport. (Photo credit:Randee Daddona)

Sherwood House. Photo by Randee Daddona

Prominently positioned on Main Road in Jamesport, Sherwood House earns its status as a cozy North Fork retreat courtesy of its rustic charm and warm wooden accents.

The tasting room’s impressive stone fireplace and well-placed couches appear to beckon guests, encouraging them to sink into their depths and enjoy the sound of live music, played every Saturday.

Not surprisingly, the winery’s sense of intimacy is a direct result of owners Dr. Charles and Barbara Smithen’s typically humble approach.

Longing to live among the North Fork’s myriad vineyards, the Smithens found their dream home in Mattituck in 1996 when they laid eyes on an 1860 farmhouse complete with 38 acres of former corn and potato fields — lands also well-suited, it turned out, for growing grapes.

Initially, the couple opted to plant chardonnay vines from Burgundian clones, but after careful research and planning has since added merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot to their impressive repertoire. Later, those grapes met their maker in the able hands of Gilles Martin, a French native who holds a Master of Oenology degree from France’s prestigious Université Montpellier I.

Since joining the team, Sherwood House has consistently been on the receiving end of numerous awards, its chardonnay ranking sixth in the U.S. by the Beverage Tasting Institute and attracting visitors from across the globe.

Sherwood House.  Photo by Randee Daddona

Sherwood House.  Photo by Randee Daddona

Sherwood House.  Photo by Randee Daddona

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