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Martha Clara VIneyards

Martha Clara Vineyards has been in contract for sale since late last year. (Credit: Vera Chinese file photo)

Martha Clara VIneyards

Three of the North Fork’s highest-profile real estate listings offer far more than beachfront estates and sweeping farmland vistas. They offer buyers the opportunity to establish themselves as part of a growing and highly esteemed New York wine region.

Palmer Vineyards and Martha Clara Vineyards, both located on Sound Avenue in Riverhead, have been on the market since 2013 and 2014, respectively. Osprey’s Dominion, located on Main Road in Peconic, is on the market as well. The listings each include the sale of the wineries’ businesses.

Despite the romanticized images owning a vineyard can conjure, Carol Szynaka, listing agent for Palmer Vineyards, said buyers should be realistic.

“The majority of people who have contacted me are looking at it from a business perspective and think there’s a big return on investment, whereas it’s really a trophy type of property — much like a ball team or yacht,” said Ms. Szynaka, who works for Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International. “It’s really for personal enjoyment.”

Whether you’re truly in the market for a winery or just feel like daydreaming, here’s the skinny on two of the North Fork’s wine-producing listings.

PALMER VINEYARDS

5120 Sound Ave., Riverhead

$5,375,000

Palmer Vineyard and winery on Sound Avenue in Aquebogue. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
Palmer Vineyard and winery on Sound Avenue in Aquebogue. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

Location, location, location: Palmer Vineyards has that covered, said Ms. Szynaka.

“It’s one of the first vineyards and wineries you hit when you get to the North Fork,” she said. “By that time, you’re itching to get out of the car.”

The 60-acre property includes a winemaking facility, 19th-century English pub-style tasting room, 1700s farmhouse and barn. For an additional $1,595,000, buyers also have the option of purchasing Palmer’s 62-acre vineyard in Cutchogue.

Established in 1983, Palmer Vineyards was placed on the market for almost $9 million in 2013.

“[The owners] are looking for the buyer,” Ms. Szynaka said of the price adjustment. “I think it was also a matter of timing. At the time the price was dropping, the market wasn’t very strong. I feel the market has improved and we’re starting to get a lot more interest.”

Palmer Vineyards produces 13 different varietals, including the North Fork’s only iteration of the Spanish white grape albariño.

But if you’re interested in owning this winery, you’ll need to act fast.

“I think this is the year!” Ms. Szynaka said when asked if she thought the property would sell soon.

MARTHA CLARA VINEYARDS

6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead

$25,000,000

Martha Clara animals and outbuildings. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)
Martha Clara animals and outbuildings. (Credit: Barbaraellen Koch)

Whoever purchases Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, which has been listed with The Corcoran Group since July 2014, will acquire much more than the winery, said listing agent Sheri Winter Clarry.

“It’s not just a winery,” said Ms. Clarry, noting that she preferred not to comment on whether the property has any prospective buyers. “It’s a destination as well.”

Known as “Big E Farm,” the 200-acre property has been owned by the Entenmann family since the 1980s and includes a horse farm and a 8,500-square-foot home with five bedrooms, 6.5 baths, in-ground heated pool and three separate living quarters for staff. The property’s barns, stables and winemaking facilities  — including 100 acres of vines — are also included in the $25 million price.

“It’s priced incredibly well for everything it encompasses,” Ms. Clarry said.

The site of a former potato farm, owner Robert Entenmann planted 18 acres of vitis vinifera grapes on the property in 1995. Over the next four years, he planted 82 more.

Today, Martha Clara Vineyards produces 14 different varietals, including malbec, petit verdot, semillon and riesling. Since 2014, the sweeping property has also been home to Nile Rodgers Productions’ FOLD (Freak Out Let’s Dance) Festival, a two-day concert that in 2015 featured musical acts like Beck, Keith Urban, Pharrell Williams and Duran Duran.

Addendum:

OSPREY’S DOMINION

44075 Route 25, Peconic

$14,999,988

Osprey’s Dominion, a 90-acre vineyard situated on Route 25 in Peconic, is now being advertised on Multiple Listing Service by Laffey Fine Homes Int’l for just under $15 million.

The listing includes two separate deeded parcels featuring established vines, along with the winery’s tasting room, which boasts a large outdoor patio. The price tag also comes with the property’s bottling facility, barrel and storage rooms, warehouse, barns, out-buildings and all equipment.

Calls for comment from Laffey Fine Homes Int’l and Osprey’s Dominion weren’t immediately returned.

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