The North Fork’s newest winery is opening its doors this weekend and tasters should be prepared for something different.
Don’t expect a run-of-the-mill merlot at Southold Farm & Cellar, where they are aiming to offer wine lovers unique and carefully crafted blends.
The vineyard will be serving its first tasting this Saturday and Sunday featuring several wines including a “light on its feet” cabernet franc and a “full-bodied” chardonnay, according to Regan Meador, who co-owns the new venture with his wife Carey, a Cutchogue native. (Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story misspelled Ms. Meador’s first name)
“With this series of wines it is more like a stylist’s endeavor,” said Meador, who previously worked as an assistant winemaker at Osprey’s Dominion in Peconic. “We are looking at ways of fermenting and processing that aren’t normally done out here.”
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the Meadors began planting their own grapes last spring on the 24-acre Southold homestead they purchased in 2012. Those grapes should be ready for picking next year. Until then the couple is purchasing locally grown grapes to create their blends.
A laid back celebration is planned for the tasting room’s opening, Meador said. The property is where the couple lives and works so don’t expect music or wines by the glass.
“It is very, very low key and different in the sense that it’s more like come taste and buy some wine if you like it,” he said. “The tasting room is basically in our backyard, so we want to keep it quiet and keep all the focus on the wine.”
Stop in for a relaxing taste at Southold Farm & Cellar on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Appointments can be made for a tasting during the week.
Southold Farm & Cellar is located at 860 Old North Road Southold.
Check out more photos from the vineyard on the next page.
