We’re thrilled to share that we’ve just planted Saperavi—a bold, cold-hardy red grape with ancient roots—as the newest addition to our vineyard on the North Fork of Long Island. This decision marks a new chapter in our ongoing commitment to innovation, climate adaptability, and crafting wines that reflect both tradition and place. But before a single vine went into the ground, there was a great deal of planning, research, and vision behind the scenes. Here’s a deeper look at what it takes to plant a new vineyard, how we chose Saperavi, and why we believe it’s the right fit for our land and climate.
Establishing a vineyard is both an art and a science. Long before planting day, we assess the land’s topography, soil structure, drainage, and exposure to sun and wind. Soil samples are taken and analyzed to determine pH, nutrient content, and composition. From there, we make site-specific decisions about vine row orientation, spacing, and trellising systems.
Timing is crucial—vines are typically planted in early spring, when the soil is workable but before the risk of late frost diminishes. This year, we prepared the site over the winter, clearing and conditioning the soil to give the new vines the best start possible. Like all new plantings, Saperavi vines will take 3–5 years before producing harvestable fruit, and even longer to reach their full expression.
The North Fork’s maritime climate—with its long growing season, moderate temperatures, and cooling ocean breezes—has traditionally favored varieties like Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. But as the climate evolves and our winemaking ambitions grow, we’ve started to explore new grape varieties that can thrive in our unique conditions while offering something distinctive in the glass.
When choosing a grape to plant, we consider a range of factors: how well the variety matches our terroir, its disease resistance, yield potential, and how it complements our existing portfolio. Saperavi stood out not just for its adaptability, but for the depth and character it brings to the bottle.
Saperavi is an ancient grape variety originating from Georgia—the country often referred to as the cradle of wine. A teinturier grape, meaning both its skin and flesh are deeply pigmented, Saperavi produces wines with intense color, robust structure, and natural acidity.
What truly sets Saperavi apart is its resilience. It’s known for its cold hardiness, late budding, and resistance to fungal diseases—an ideal combination for cool-climate vineyards like ours. In the glass, Saperavi wines are inky and bold, with notes of dark berries, plum, spice, and earthy minerality. They age beautifully and have the kind of tannic backbone that makes them excellent candidates for cellaring.
By planting Saperavi, we’re embracing an adventurous spirit while staying true to our sense of place. We believe this variety has the potential to thrive in our North Fork terroir—and we can’t wait to share the journey from vine to bottle with you.
As these vines take root and grow, we’ll be sharing regular updates from the vineyard—what we’re learning, how the vines are adapting, and what we’re most excited about. If you’re as curious about Saperavi as we are, stay connected. The best is yet to come.
