Life is a celebration. For many, the holiday season nurtures that celebratory joy, evidenced by the gathering of family and friends, the indulgence of fantastic feasts, the savoring of sweet treats and the clinking of glasses. On New Year’s Eve in particular, pops of champagne corks signal the final moments of the year’s end and a new year's beginning. At the stroke of midnight, the New Year is ushered in with crystal flutes filled with sparkling gold bubbles, their fizz an uplifting accompaniment to the optimistic promises of happiness, prosperity and good health ahead. Does a premium quality variation of the jubilant libation have to hail from across the Atlantic Ocean? Luckily for us Long Islanders, not anymore.
Nestled on the scenic eastern north fork in Southold, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery welcomes all to tour and taste just like other wineries along the North Fork Wine Trail. There is one notable difference that sets this vineyard apart from all others throughout New York State, however. Sparkling Pointe is exclusively dedicated to the traditional production of Methode Champenoise sparkling wines.
Sparkling Pointe is the inspiration of Tom and Cynthia Rosicki. Their lifelong love of the north fork, their front row seat to the explosive growth of Long Island’s wine-producing scene and their passion for Champagne motivated their decision to delve into starting a vineyard that would be devoted solely to the production of sparkling wines. Steve Mudd, known in the wine community for his expertise in vineyard development, opened the door for Tom and Cynthia to realize their dream. In addition to bringing available land properties to their attention, one of his significant contributions was that of introducing the couple to Gilles Martin, the French winemaker who is credited with crafting the award-winning Sparkling Pointe portfolio. Martin’s artistry stems from his previous experiences at a French Champagne house and at California’s acclaimed Roederer Estate.
The former 29-acre vineyard has now expanded to nearly 40 acres, planted with the traditional Champagne grape varietals that include pinot Meunier, chardonnay and pinot noir. All of the sparkling wines are produced through the Methode Champenoise, which is carried out by fermenting a wine blend from the grapes, and then transferring the result into bottles for a final fermentation and aging process that produces the sparkling effervescence. Dating back to the 1600s, the Methode Champenoise process is the oldest method for producing sparkling wines.
Once Old World tradition came together with modern innovation, and once the enthusiastic aspirations of Tom and Cynthia combined with the creative talents of Gilles Martin, the collaborating result has since created quite a splash on Long Island. Sparkling Pointe has gained accolades from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines, both of which bestowed the coveted 90 score of excellence on their exquisite Brut Seduction. The sparkling wines now grace the wine lists of such fine restaurants as the Waldorf and Gramercy Tavern in Manhattan.
A visit to Sparkling Pointe is a delight to the senses. Outside, the sprawling, elegant structure exhibits the charms of a French country chateau, complete with a terrace that offers a breathtaking view of the vineyard. Indoors, the winery is tastefully decorated in hues of cool grey and crisp white, evoking a soothing, spa-like sensation. The VIP Bubble Room offers coziness in modern, luxurious white leather seating and a warming fireplace. Glance upward and you will become enchanted by chandeliers in the form of cascading bubbles, lit against a golden hued ceiling to mimic the imagery of sparkling bubbles dancing within their golden, fluid. This room presents a stunning setting for a private party. From the tasting room to the retail shop to the Bubble Room, it is evident that a lot of thought and passion went into the design. The décor has successfully conjured the perfect balance of modern sophistication and festive ambience. Frequent bursts of vibrant warmth and joie de vivre are sprinkled throughout the building in the form of Carnival masks and colorful paintings from Rio de Janeiro, the couple’s vacation locale of choice.
Life is a celebration, from the holidays that many of us share in common to those intimate, individual milestones that make life sparkle, because, as their motto suggests, “If it’s not sparkling … what’s the pointe?” Sparkling Pointe is available for wedding celebrations, corporate events and private functions.
Buy local for your sparkling wine selection this New Year’s Eve. Spend a blissfully relaxing afternoon in the Bubble Room and savor the superb quality of Sparkling Pointe’s fine sparkling wines. You will be taken through a flight of four samples, all of which will surprise and dazzle your palate. Once you make your choice to tote home for your gathering, your fellow New Year’s Eve celebrants will be introduced to one of the finest sparkling wines, and it was produced with pride and passion right here on Long Island. If you don’t find the opportunity before the big day, remember that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
Sparkling Pointe is located on County Road 48 in Southold. For directions, a complete list of their sparkling wines and hours of operation, visit www.sparklingpointe.com.
Nestled on the scenic eastern north fork in Southold, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery welcomes all to tour and taste just like other wineries along the North Fork Wine Trail. There is one notable difference that sets this vineyard apart from all others throughout New York State, however. Sparkling Pointe is exclusively dedicated to the traditional production of Methode Champenoise sparkling wines.
Sparkling Pointe is the inspiration of Tom and Cynthia Rosicki. Their lifelong love of the north fork, their front row seat to the explosive growth of Long Island’s wine-producing scene and their passion for Champagne motivated their decision to delve into starting a vineyard that would be devoted solely to the production of sparkling wines. Steve Mudd, known in the wine community for his expertise in vineyard development, opened the door for Tom and Cynthia to realize their dream. In addition to bringing available land properties to their attention, one of his significant contributions was that of introducing the couple to Gilles Martin, the French winemaker who is credited with crafting the award-winning Sparkling Pointe portfolio. Martin’s artistry stems from his previous experiences at a French Champagne house and at California’s acclaimed Roederer Estate.
The former 29-acre vineyard has now expanded to nearly 40 acres, planted with the traditional Champagne grape varietals that include pinot Meunier, chardonnay and pinot noir. All of the sparkling wines are produced through the Methode Champenoise, which is carried out by fermenting a wine blend from the grapes, and then transferring the result into bottles for a final fermentation and aging process that produces the sparkling effervescence. Dating back to the 1600s, the Methode Champenoise process is the oldest method for producing sparkling wines.
Once Old World tradition came together with modern innovation, and once the enthusiastic aspirations of Tom and Cynthia combined with the creative talents of Gilles Martin, the collaborating result has since created quite a splash on Long Island. Sparkling Pointe has gained accolades from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines, both of which bestowed the coveted 90 score of excellence on their exquisite Brut Seduction. The sparkling wines now grace the wine lists of such fine restaurants as the Waldorf and Gramercy Tavern in Manhattan.
A visit to Sparkling Pointe is a delight to the senses. Outside, the sprawling, elegant structure exhibits the charms of a French country chateau, complete with a terrace that offers a breathtaking view of the vineyard. Indoors, the winery is tastefully decorated in hues of cool grey and crisp white, evoking a soothing, spa-like sensation. The VIP Bubble Room offers coziness in modern, luxurious white leather seating and a warming fireplace. Glance upward and you will become enchanted by chandeliers in the form of cascading bubbles, lit against a golden hued ceiling to mimic the imagery of sparkling bubbles dancing within their golden, fluid. This room presents a stunning setting for a private party. From the tasting room to the retail shop to the Bubble Room, it is evident that a lot of thought and passion went into the design. The décor has successfully conjured the perfect balance of modern sophistication and festive ambience. Frequent bursts of vibrant warmth and joie de vivre are sprinkled throughout the building in the form of Carnival masks and colorful paintings from Rio de Janeiro, the couple’s vacation locale of choice.
Life is a celebration, from the holidays that many of us share in common to those intimate, individual milestones that make life sparkle, because, as their motto suggests, “If it’s not sparkling … what’s the pointe?” Sparkling Pointe is available for wedding celebrations, corporate events and private functions.
Buy local for your sparkling wine selection this New Year’s Eve. Spend a blissfully relaxing afternoon in the Bubble Room and savor the superb quality of Sparkling Pointe’s fine sparkling wines. You will be taken through a flight of four samples, all of which will surprise and dazzle your palate. Once you make your choice to tote home for your gathering, your fellow New Year’s Eve celebrants will be introduced to one of the finest sparkling wines, and it was produced with pride and passion right here on Long Island. If you don’t find the opportunity before the big day, remember that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.
Sparkling Pointe is located on County Road 48 in Southold. For directions, a complete list of their sparkling wines and hours of operation, visit www.sparklingpointe.com.