If your visit to Suhru & Lieb Vineyards feels effortlessly welcoming—thoughtful, relaxed, and deeply connected to place—you can thank Tara Teakle, our Tasting Room Manager. Tara brings a global perspective, a grounded sense of hospitality, and a genuine love of wine to everything she does, making each guest experience feel both intentional and personal.
Tara’s relationship with wine was shaped long before she arrived on the North Fork. Growing up in Australia and spending time living in New Zealand, wine was never something reserved for special occasions—it was part of everyday life, closely tied to food, family, and place. Add in years of travel and experiencing wine cultures around the world, and Tara developed a deep appreciation for wine as something meant to be shared, enjoyed, and connected to meaningful moments.
That global lens continues to guide how she thinks about hospitality today: wine doesn’t have to be intimidating to be special.
What first drew Tara to Suhru & Lieb was the winery’s authentic commitment to sustainability. “It’s not a trend or a talking point here,” she explains. “It’s truly embedded in how the vineyard is cared for and how decisions are made season after season.” That respect for the land and long-term stewardship resonated deeply with her.
She was also excited to work alongside Russell Hearn, whose reputation as an award-winning winemaker is matched by a thoughtful, quality-driven approach. Discovering that Russ is also Australian sealed the deal—there’s a shared sensibility that Tara describes as grounded, intentional, and refreshingly down to earth.
Ask Tara what she loves most about working on the North Fork, and she’ll paint you a picture. “There’s a rare balance here between land and sea,” she says. Mornings might start with a bike ride past vineyards and farmland as the day wakes up, while evenings end out on the water, salt air blowing and the horizon wide open.
“It feels rooted and expansive at the same time,” she adds—and that sense of place is something she loves sharing with guests.
Right now, Tara is especially excited to pour La Crescent. Fresh, vibrant, and expressive, it’s a wine that often surprises guests in the best way. “It opens the door to conversations about lesser-known grape varieties and cool-climate winemaking,” she says. “Watching someone discover it for the first time is incredibly rewarding.”
Approachable yet distinctive, La Crescent perfectly captures what Tara loves about Suhru & Lieb: wines with intention, personality, and a strong sense of place.
What Tara enjoys most day to day is connecting with guests—learning what brought them in, what they love, and what they’re curious about. She takes pride in sharing the Suhru & Lieb story in a way that feels genuine and accessible, helping guests feel connected not just to the wine, but to the vineyard and the people behind it.
Her hope is that visitors leave feeling truly welcomed, having learned something new, and with a renewed appreciation for Long Island wines. “They can be just as compelling—and sometimes even more expressive—than wines from more famous regions,” she says.
As the seasons change, Tara is especially excited to experience the growing cycle firsthand. She’s eager to spend more time in the vineyard with Russ, John, and Brad—learning about pruning, canopy management, and harvest timing, and how those decisions shape the wines in the glass.
That hands-on knowledge, she says, will only deepen the stories she gets to share in the tasting room.
For guests visiting the North Fork, Tara’s advice is simple: slow down. Take your time, ask questions, and support the small businesses that make this region special. From vineyards and farms to local shops and restaurants, there’s a strong sense of community here—and exploring beyond just one stop is how you really feel it.
One of her favorite recommendations? First & South in Greenport, run by two sommeliers who share that same passion for thoughtful sourcing and genuine hospitality.
Non-wine drink: An ice-cold beer (Australian roots run deep 🍺)
Snack board pick: Cheese and charcuterie—savory all the way
Best vineyard moment: Sunset, glass in hand, enjoying what the vines have given
Next time you visit Suhru & Lieb, take a moment to say hello to Tara. You’ll leave feeling connected—to the wine, the land, and the North Fork community that makes it all so special. 🍷
