The family-run Old Field Vineyard in Southold, on the market for $13 million, confirmed the sale of its property this week. Owned by Rosamond Phelps Baiz and her late husband Christian Baiz, the property had been in Christian family for generations, with town records referencing “The Old Field” dating back to 1665.
Baiz passed away in February of 2025; his wife Ros, along with her children Perry Bliss and Ryan Weiss and Perry’s husband Zak, have kept the vineyard operational, but will close up shop as of November 30.
“After 106 remarkable years, our family has made the bittersweet decision to sell our property,” said Bliss. “For a quarter of a century, our winery/vineyard has been more than just a business — it has been a home, a gathering place, and a labor of love. It is with immense gratitude that we celebrate the memories, friendships, and community that have grown along with our vines over the years.”
The property, just under 22 acres and directly on Peconic Bay, has 10 acres planted with merlot, cabernet franc and pinot noir grapes. The rustic tasting room is housed in an 1860s barn, and the old icehouse, towering trees, and roaming chickens gave visitors a sense of connection with the North Fork’s agrarian past.
The two 19th-century farmhouses on the property were run as the Kreutzers’ Park Hotel from the mid-to-late 1800s to 1915, serving families from New York City and Brooklyn in the summers. The main house was moved closer to the bay in the winter of 1919-1920, while the building closest to the Main Road — still in place today — served as the hotel’s dining room, tavern and kitchen.
Bliss and the selling agents, Bridget and Eric Elkin of Compass, declined to identify the buyer of the property at this time. The property was listed for 48 days before going under contract, and, according to Bridget Elkin, drew tremendous interest. “Nearly everyone who inquired, regardless of their intended use, expressed a desire to preserve the character of the land, including its vineyards,” said Elkin.
The development rights on the property have not been sold. Elkin notes that “This shy 22-acre parcel has long served as a kind of time capsule for our region, so it’s understandable that there’s some anxiety about what future development might bring. While the development rights remain intact, the R-80 zoning district in which it’s located is a low-density residential zone specifically intended to preserve open space and maintain rural character. Under Southold’s 60/40 subdivision rule, parcels over seven acres must retain 60% of their land as open space. By that calculation, this 21.4-acre property could, in theory, be subdivided into four residential lots of roughly two acres each, with approximately 12.8 acres preserved as open space. It’s also worth noting that the property currently reflects a mix of residential and agricultural use.”
While the family’s plans are undetermined at the moment, Bliss and Baiz acknowledged the challenges of the past year. “As we close this chapter, we are filled with a mix of excitement, sadness, and anticipation. Saying goodbye to our winery and the land that has meant so much to us is overwhelming, but we look forward to our next adventure wherever it leads us.”
“The Old Field carries a profound sense of place,” says Elkin. “Each family held it for roughly a century before passing it on, which says everything about the allure of this land … it reminds you what it means to belong somewhere.”
The Old Field’s final wine club member pick-up event will be held on November 8, and the vineyard is offering case sales on all of their wines. The Old Field is open Thursday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 25.
