Growing Greenport

As it has grown it has also managed to retain its unpretentious attitude, small town feel, and a real slice of Americana. Although its nearby Manhattanites have brought with them more modern foods as well as the wine scene, Greenport should definitely be noted for its lovely summer cottages with beach or boating activities not more than a few minutes away. With top-notch dining such as the fare presented at The Frisky Oyster, Greenport is one of the towns nearby to Shorecrest Bed & Breakfast.

Greenport’s old-school looks may be deceiving to those who think that means that Greenport is behind the times. Although it boasts its own art galleries, coffee shops, and plenty of shopping for Shorecrest BnB visitors, its more welcome feel can be found in the nearby inns, lovely beaches, and a fishing heritage that caters a bit more to those who may prefer rest and relaxation in their travels as opposed to glitzy star-gazing.

Many of our past guest have expressed their delight at the welcome feel of nearby Greenport and many returning guest look forward to subsequent visits there. The next time you stay at Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast, ask us about Greenport, and we will be glad to let you know what other delights you may find in one of America’s Prettiest Towns.

Vitalay Golovnev - awesome trumpeter

Long Island Winterfest and Jazz on the Vine continues to be a huge success as a forum for some great musical talent and enjoying North Fork wines. Weekends are busy for a Bed and Breakfast owner but I was able to take some time with two of my sons last Sunday afternoon to hop over to nearby Osprey Dominion winery and listen to the trumpet of of Vitaly Goloveny and a talented group of musicians on saxophone, bass and drums. It was a beautiful afternoon with just enough clouds to temper the strength of the sun that streamed through the large windows framing the tasting room. It is a large space and could have been an acoustic challenge but Vitaly tempered his playing of the trumpet skillfully to take the space into account and maintain a decibel level that was perfect for enjoyment of the sound. Winterfest continues through March 20th and a complete list of all musical performers and venues can be found on the Long Island Winterfest web site. You will find a quick  reference list for who is playing and where on last week’s Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast blog.

In the Vineyard: Wine making at the Sannino Vineyard

I have written in earlier postings about making my own barrel of wine with the Sannino’s Bella Vita vineyard. While the grapes we picked last fall continue their fermentation process in barrel, vat or bottle, this time of year starts a new growing season for the vines.

Netting that protected the grapes from hungry or just opportunistic wildlife has been removed and it is time to prune the vines.

Pruning is basically cutting off unwanted canes to allow the vines to produce a smaller and more intensely flavored crop the following year. This is done by cutting off approximately 90 percent of the past year’s cane growth, retaining only a few canes for fruit production in the upcoming season.

Vine before pruning with last years canes intact

Critical decisions are made during this process as to what parts of the vine are to be kept in order for the plant to be most productive. The photos illustrating the process here are of the same vine before pruning; leafless and then with most of the main canes removed except for four centrally located canes.

After pruning the main canes are laid along and tied to the first layer of wire

All canes have buds capable of producing the shoots, leaves and grapes for next seasons harvest. When pruning only four canes are kept to concentrate the growth of the plant and reduce the amount of fruit produced. The quality of the fruit produced this way is essential to the end product, a full rich wine. When pruning only the central canes are kept because they will allow the optimum amount of space between the main trunks, a consideration when planning for the most productivity in the vineyard. Only two of the four are needed but the additional two are left for insurance in case of damage during the next process.

As shown in the photographs, once pruned the vines are laid  on wires strung between posts and tied to them. One cane is directed to run left and the other right. There is some space left over between the trunks so a third cane is folded across the space.

Once canes have been put in place for the growing season they are called ‘Cordons’. The buds which will gradually swell, shoot and grow as the weather warms are spaced from 4 to 8 inches along each Cordon. Some buds will produce several shoots and  all but the largest and healthiest  will be removed to further concentrate the strength and vigor of the plant . The remaining shoots will then become next years canes and each canes will eventually bear one to three clusters of grapes close to the cordon as they continue  growing vertically.

Cane pruning as it is called is one of two most common methods on The North Fork. The other method is called Spur pruning. Spur pruning is the pruning style of choice for backyard vineyards and vines that are trained on fences and other simple trellises. The two methods can be used in the same field but only one would be selected as the average for the given variety or field.

More on pruning and progress in the vineyard and winery in our next ‘In the Vineyard’ blog post

Winterfest continues through March 20th and a complete list of events and venues is listed below:

FEBRUARY 19
S A T U R D A Y

BakithiKumalo

1:30 pm

Palmer Vineyards – Dida Pelled’s Trio

3 pm

Castello di Borghese – Bakithi Kumalo

3 pm

Waters Crest Winery – Pearl Street Band

4:30 pm

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard - Champian Fulton

4:30 pm

Martha Clara Vineyards - Rare Groove Band

Rare Groove Band

FEBRUARY 20
S U N D A Y

2 pm

Diliberto Winery - Jody Sandhaus Duo

2 pm

Macari Vineyards - Don Miller & “Bass Station”

3:30 pm

Raphael - Matt Wilson Quartet

3:30 pm

Pellegrini Vineyards – Bob Magnuson/Glenn Alexander

Don Miller

FEBRUARY 26
S A T U R D A Y 1 pm

Southampton Cultural Center – Inside the “Out” Side of Jazz – FREE!
Discussion with Ed Green; Moderator Steve Watson:

“Ellington, Jazz, the Opposites – and You!”

3 pm

Laurel Lake Vineyards – Monday Michiru

3 pm

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard – Janine DiNatale

4:30 pm

Sherwood House Vineyards - Ahmad Ali

4:30 pm

Martha Clara Vineyards - Groove Gumbo

FEBRUARY 27
S U N D A Y 2 pm

Raphael - Isaac Jaffe Quintet

2 pm

Bedell Cellars – Matt Marshak

2 pm

Brecknock Hall, Greenport - Hot Club of the Hamptons

3:30 pm

Osprey’s Dominion – Vitaly Golovnev

3:30 pm

Jamesport Vineyard - MEM3 (Ernesto Cervini)

MARCH 5
S A T U R D A Y

1:30 pm

Raphael – Morris Goldberg & OJOYO

3 pm

Waters Crest Winery – Oscar Penas Ethereal Ensemble

3 pm

Palmer Vineyards - Tim Siciliano Trio

4:30 pm

Osprey’s Dominion - Trevor Davison Quartet

4:30 pm

Martha Clara Vineyards – Benito Gonzalez

MARCH 6
S U N D A Y

2 pm

Sherwood House Vineyards – Ray Anderson Duo

2 pm

Laurel Lake Vineyards – Bernal/Eckroth/Ennis

3:30 pm

Raphael - Alex Sipiagin

3:30 pm

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard - Tessa Souter

MARCH 12
S A T U R D A Y 1 pm

Vail Leavitt Music Hall - Inside the “Out” Side of Jazz – FREE!
Discussion with Lara Pellegrinelli, Adam Schatz, Ken Druker. Moderator Bob Barta.
“Reaching the Audience: Jazz in the Digital Age”

3 pm

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard – Shenole Latimer Trio

3 pm

Diliberto Winery - Jane Hastay & Peter Martin Weiss

4:30 pm

Clovis Point - Willie Williams

4:30 pm

Macari Vineyards – Nelson Riveros

MARCH 13
S U N D A Y

2 pm

Pellegrini Vineyards – Shan Kenner & Raw Trio

2 pm

Sparkling Pointe - Susan Pereira & Sabor Brasil

3:30 pm

Jamesport Vineyard – Michael Jazz Trio

3:30 pm

Raphael - Jerry Costanzo Sextet

MARCH 19
S A T U R D A Y 1:30 pm

Raphael - Bob Cunningham Trio

3 pm

Martha Clara Vineyards – Sabroso Latin Jazz Ensemble

3 pm

Palmer Vineyards - Steve Salerno Trio

4:30 pm

Macari Vineyards - Kelley Suttenfield

4:30 pm

Jamesport Vineyard – Iris Ornig Trio

MARCH 20
S U N D A Y

2 pm

Bedell Cellars - Lauren Kinhan

2 pm

Sparkling Pointe - Beleza Sol

3:30 pm

Raphael - Mambo Loco

3:30 pm

Clovis Pointe - Marc Devine Trio

Chefs and vintners are banding together to get the word out about the area’s delicacies before the tourist season hits full swing.

The Long Island Wine & Food Festival will celebrate a world class wine region! A premier travel destination on the East End of Long Island, the North Fork delivers remarkable cuisine, boutique wineries, craft beer, and quaint accommodations. Festival guests have the opportunity to learn about local flavors, tastes, sights and smells of Long Island’s wine country.

Meet local and celebrity chefs. Enjoy local wines and fare. Experience the rural character of Long Island’s North Fork.

The three-day festival kicks off with an exclusive cocktail reception on June 25th. On Saturday, June 26th, be sure to keep your glass full while experiencing the wines, food, and activities that our 41 wineries will offer. The festival culminates Sunday, June 27th with a Grand Tasting in the historic village of Greenport, a working seaport since the 18th century.

It is sure to be a weekend to remember!

The New York Times had a great article here

See the full schedule here to find out whats going on at the wineries.

APRIL: The focus here in Wine Country in April is on barrel tastings and special events at area vineyards highlighting our amazing 2008 red vintages.

MAY: Join us for “Run for the Rose’s” when the wineries will highlight new rose’ releases with a percentage of rose’ sales donated to Cancer Care. This promotion will take place Saturdays and Sundays throughout May. Our local vineyards will also be celebrating “bud break” with special events on weekends in May. Come join the fun!

JUNE: 1st Annual LONG ISLAND WINE & FOOD Festival – June 25-27, 2010
For those who love great food, wine, (even beer) and fun…..this is an opportunity to learn about our local flavors, tastes, sights and smells. Meet local and celebrity chefs, enjoy local wines, fare, and attend special events all weekend long. We suggest you book your stay soon soon as this is sure to be a sold-out weekend!

The Fifth Season Restaurant has been receiving terrific reviews from Zagat, Newsday, and New York Times.  Zagat rated it as a Top Restaurant in the United States while the New York Times says it is a restaurant for all seasons.  Add this combination to Long Island wine and you have a winner! 

The menu and wine pairings for the Spring Winemaker’s Dinner will feature:1st Course

Caramelized Hudson Valley Foie Gras Terrine
Fuji Apple Gelee, Toasted Brioche, Candied Pistachios

2009 Early Wine Chardonnay

2nd Course

Merlot-Braised Atlantic Octopus
Roasted Winter Vegetables, Lardons, Fennel & Thyme

Sette

3rd Course

Herb Roasted Farm Raised Wild Boar Chops
Sauteed Spinach, Potato Rosti, Black Cherry Demi-Glace

2007 Dos Aguas

4th Course

Honey Crisp Apple Tarte Tatin Fresh Whipped Cream & Duet of Grafton Village Aged Cheddar & Faribault Dairy Blue Cheese Golden Raisin Chutney

2007 Block E Ice Wine Cabernet Franc

 Reservations can be made online  or by calling 631-477-8500!

Wine and Chocolate tasting will he held Saturdays and Sundays in February from 1-5 P.M. at the Lieb Tasting Room in Mattituck.  Tickets will be $18 per person, or $12 if you are a wine club member.  Yes, chocolate and wine can harmonize together in a sinful tasting experience.  If you have questions, please visit their website or contact them at 631-298-1942.  

Upcoming events at the Lieb Family Cellars will also include a Winter Club Winter Soiree on February 28th from 1-4 P.M.  featuring a chocolate fondue fountain, live music, and tasting of unreleased wines.  During the month of March they will be hosting wine and cheese pairings.

The North Fork of Long Island was once home to many potato farms.  Gradually the farms were converted to growing grapes and now there are over 30 wineries on the North Fork of Long Island.  The wineries cover thousands of acres of vineyards and are located a short distance from the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast.  The wineries are open year-round and many feature wine tasting.  Additionally, they have wine clubs and host musical entertainment and wine dinners throughout the year.  The wineries are also perfect locations to host weddings, especially as the sun sets over the vineyard.     

Visit the North Fork of Long Island and check out our wineries!  You will not be disappointed.

The Martha Clara Vineyards’ tasting room is open throughout the year and their gift baskets are perfect for the Holidays.  They can ship to Connecticut, California, New York, and Colorado and if you are looking for a gift for a wine lover, put this on your list.  Or, why not give the gift of joining their Wine Club? 

They have on-going events during the year and for the month of December, make sure to add these to your “must do” activities:    

Friday, December 11^th – Wine Club Exclusive Wine Release Party at 7 P.M.  New releases will be featured and they will have discussions about the harvest.  Also, they will provide a tasting for a few of their 2009 futures.  Free to Wine Club Members.  

A Night of Seven Fishes, Menu and Wine Pairing Dinner Friday, December 18th from 7 to 9 P.M.  Featured Chef will be David Girard of Buoy Seafood Market & Restaurant and tickets are $40 per person.   

Tom Schaudel Wine Dinner, Saturday, December 19th from 7 to 10 P.M.  Menu features Seared Diver Scallops; Catapano Farm’s Goat Cheese Ravioli; Porcini Dusted Yellow Fin Tuna, Slow Braised Short Ribs, and Killer Fudge Brownie Sundae.  Tickets are $70.00 per person and includes wine paring.

I have been taking lessons at the East End Ballroom dance studio in Riverhead and loving it.  It offers great exercise and so much fun.  The owner, George Smith, trained in England and is a brilliant dancer, entertaining teacher, and the music is marvelous too.  They offer a complimentary private lesson prior to a class and offer specialized lessons for either you or for a group.  Certainly worth checking out if you live in the area!

Come and enjoy a two night stay at the Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast for the weekend of December 19th and receive two tickets to the Osprey’s Dominion Winery Social Dance.  Also you will be invited to attend Shorecrest’s private holiday party for friends and neighbors of the East End at 4 P.M. Sunday, December 20th.  What a great way to get into the Holiday spirit!