If you're looking for the perfect bottle of wine to uncork this Thanksgiving, a short drive along Sound Avenue will lead you to Roanoke Vineyards in Riverhead. If the name is unfamiliar to you, it is due to the fact that Roanoke's wines are produced in very limited quantities, making them unavailable for purchase in retail liquor stores. At Roanoke, their mission is all about quality over quantity. The superior quality of the wines also makes them the most highly anticipated and savored wines by those who have discovered them.
The vineyard was first started in 2000 on the ten-acre tract of land by Richard Pisacano and his wife Soraya. The location and the sandy loam earth provided ideal growing conditions for the grapes. In 2004, they opened the doors to their tasting room, releasing one spectacular wine after another ever since.
One acre of the vineyard is devoted to merlot grapes, and the remainder is allocated toward Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc. Pisacano's father and Roanoke's vineyard master, Gabby, lovingly tends the easternmost twelve rows to produce exquisite grapes for the highly rated and highly coveted Gabby Cabernet Franc. Eco-friendly agricultural practices are implemented and vines are pruned back by hand, thinning just enough to allow the sun's rays to evenly kiss every grape cluster. Meanwhile, his son crafted a blend from some of these grapes and some Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested from a sandy spot that is referred to as ‘The Hill,’ thus inspiring the name of his creation.
At the inception of Roanoke Vineyards, Richard Pisacano was already a seasoned wine producer for more than three decades, previously tending his own vineyard in Jamesport and working as the vineyard manager of Wolffer’s Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack. Roanoke’s first unveiling was 150 cases of merlot. Last year, a selection of twelve wines generated 2,800 cases and a second tasting room was opened in Mattituck.
The creative artistry behind Roanoke wines is credited to Roman Roth, who is also responsible for the mastery behind Wolffer Estate’s phenomenal productions. He and Richard Pisacano make the wines at Wolffer Estate. Roth's artistry has resulted in such wine masterpieces as ‘Blend One,’ a Cabernet Sauvignon base blended with Cabernet Franc, and ‘Blend 2,’ which was absolutely exquisite, showcasing Cabernet Franc as the headliner, blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sadly, these have been sold out. ‘Marco Tulio,’ named after Soraya Pisacano’s father, is another blend in which the three aforementioned grapes come together in perfect harmony. When I asked about the Blend 2, the blow of its sold out status was softened with a sampling of the newest nectar to take its place of honor, this one labeled as ‘Prime Number.’ One delightful sip and I was sold, toting home a bottle for my Thanksgiving dinner. Also in the current Roanoke repertoire is another red blend called ‘Bond,’ which is yet another sought-after bottle of success. Roth and Richard Pisacano are truly a creative force to be reckoned with, conjuring consistently outstanding wines that have propelled Roanoke Vineyards to the top among respected wine producers.
Roanoke also produces a rose, named after Richard Pisacano’s paternal grandmother, Marie DeRosa. Also on the must-taste list: a crisp and fruity Chardonnay, a smooth merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
Roanoke Vineyards proudly focuses on producing world-class wines. You will not find fall festivals and glitz here. It's all about the wine. Each new release yields very limited quantities that are often sold out completely within the first weeks, but the superb premium quality surpasses the expectations of wine connoisseurs. Sampling a flight of Roanoke's portfolio has drawn new regular customers to join their wine club and embark on routine missions on quests to seek out the next spectacular release.
With the October pumpkin picking conquests behind us, Sound Avenue is once again peacefully traversed and still offers a spectacular autumnal scene of colorful foliage along the way. Take a drive to Roanoke Vineyards, sample their lineup and drive away with some bottles of wine whose quality will impress your guests gathered at the Thanksgiving table.
The staff of Roanoke is very outgoing and knowledgeable. Roanoke’s Sound Avenue vineyard tasting room is open daily, and if you happen to be taking a stroll in Mattituck, you may also enjoy their wines at their tasting room on Love Lane.
For a detailed description of Roanoke’s wine portfolio, hours of operation and directions to either of their tasting rooms, visit www.roanokevineyards.net .
The vineyard was first started in 2000 on the ten-acre tract of land by Richard Pisacano and his wife Soraya. The location and the sandy loam earth provided ideal growing conditions for the grapes. In 2004, they opened the doors to their tasting room, releasing one spectacular wine after another ever since.
One acre of the vineyard is devoted to merlot grapes, and the remainder is allocated toward Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc. Pisacano's father and Roanoke's vineyard master, Gabby, lovingly tends the easternmost twelve rows to produce exquisite grapes for the highly rated and highly coveted Gabby Cabernet Franc. Eco-friendly agricultural practices are implemented and vines are pruned back by hand, thinning just enough to allow the sun's rays to evenly kiss every grape cluster. Meanwhile, his son crafted a blend from some of these grapes and some Cabernet Sauvignon grapes harvested from a sandy spot that is referred to as ‘The Hill,’ thus inspiring the name of his creation.
At the inception of Roanoke Vineyards, Richard Pisacano was already a seasoned wine producer for more than three decades, previously tending his own vineyard in Jamesport and working as the vineyard manager of Wolffer’s Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack. Roanoke’s first unveiling was 150 cases of merlot. Last year, a selection of twelve wines generated 2,800 cases and a second tasting room was opened in Mattituck.
The creative artistry behind Roanoke wines is credited to Roman Roth, who is also responsible for the mastery behind Wolffer Estate’s phenomenal productions. He and Richard Pisacano make the wines at Wolffer Estate. Roth's artistry has resulted in such wine masterpieces as ‘Blend One,’ a Cabernet Sauvignon base blended with Cabernet Franc, and ‘Blend 2,’ which was absolutely exquisite, showcasing Cabernet Franc as the headliner, blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Sadly, these have been sold out. ‘Marco Tulio,’ named after Soraya Pisacano’s father, is another blend in which the three aforementioned grapes come together in perfect harmony. When I asked about the Blend 2, the blow of its sold out status was softened with a sampling of the newest nectar to take its place of honor, this one labeled as ‘Prime Number.’ One delightful sip and I was sold, toting home a bottle for my Thanksgiving dinner. Also in the current Roanoke repertoire is another red blend called ‘Bond,’ which is yet another sought-after bottle of success. Roth and Richard Pisacano are truly a creative force to be reckoned with, conjuring consistently outstanding wines that have propelled Roanoke Vineyards to the top among respected wine producers.
Roanoke also produces a rose, named after Richard Pisacano’s paternal grandmother, Marie DeRosa. Also on the must-taste list: a crisp and fruity Chardonnay, a smooth merlot and cabernet sauvignon.
Roanoke Vineyards proudly focuses on producing world-class wines. You will not find fall festivals and glitz here. It's all about the wine. Each new release yields very limited quantities that are often sold out completely within the first weeks, but the superb premium quality surpasses the expectations of wine connoisseurs. Sampling a flight of Roanoke's portfolio has drawn new regular customers to join their wine club and embark on routine missions on quests to seek out the next spectacular release.
With the October pumpkin picking conquests behind us, Sound Avenue is once again peacefully traversed and still offers a spectacular autumnal scene of colorful foliage along the way. Take a drive to Roanoke Vineyards, sample their lineup and drive away with some bottles of wine whose quality will impress your guests gathered at the Thanksgiving table.
The staff of Roanoke is very outgoing and knowledgeable. Roanoke’s Sound Avenue vineyard tasting room is open daily, and if you happen to be taking a stroll in Mattituck, you may also enjoy their wines at their tasting room on Love Lane.
For a detailed description of Roanoke’s wine portfolio, hours of operation and directions to either of their tasting rooms, visit www.roanokevineyards.net .