Will mini-tasting room lead to bigger parties?
Raphael's proposed 'wine history museum' questioned by neighbors
3 comments below
Raphael winery owner John Petrocelli plans to build a smaller mirror version of the vineyard's elaborate main tasting room on Route 25 in Peconic. The building will double as a 'wine history museum,' but neighbors are worried that it will create more ruckus from wedding parties.
Owner John Petrocelli plans to build a 6,244-square-foot second tasting room on a 50-acre parcel in Peconic, east of Raphael's elaborate 40,000-square foot main winery building on Route 25, which was built in 1999 and is often used for weddings and other functions. If approved, the new building would mirror the original one but on a smaller scale, and double as a "local wine history museum," Mr. Petrocelli said.
"We will open at 11 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.," he said at the hearing. "There will be no weddings, no music. Only a tasting room with basic wine industry information on display."
Raphael's elaborate main building might soon have a separate tasting room and Long Island Wine Country informational center if approved by the Southold Town Planning Board.
"I would like to see a plan so these things don't burn all night long," he said. "We can't enjoy the stars out here anymore."
Richard Tynebor, a longtime Indian Neck Lane resident, said he'd been frustrated for years by the loud music and laughter he hears late into the night every summer coming from Raphael's property. He said he was concerned that traffic and noise would only get worse with another tasting room.
Steve Mudd, Raphael's vineyard manager, said that Raphael never planned to limit its business to "just one wine."
"But we do specialize in just one grape -- merlot," he said.
Raphael's winemaker Richard Harbich said that a museum to educate the public on North Fork wines was much needed.
"We'll have information on climate and soil," he said. "There's nothing out there like this."
The new tasting room would also serve as an overflow space for "important customers," he said.
"When it gets very busy, it's very difficult to handle VIPS or visiting dignitaries," Mr. Harbich said. "So it's really an overflow for special groups and will also provide some office space that we desperately need."
Joe Corso, president of the North Fork Chamber of Commerce, said he supported Raphael's project because "the wine industry has rejuvenated the North Fork. And we want to do everything we can to maintain that momentum."
Jim Andrews' wife, Muriel, agreed. "The Petrocellis are great neighbors," she said. "There have been a lot of issues in the past with weddings running really late, but they've worked to curtail that. No one wants to hear loud drunk people and car alarms going off at 1 a.m., but they've worked to settle things down.
"I love the wine industry," Ms. Andrews added, "but I also love the quality of life out here. We can work together on this."
eschultz@timesreview.com
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3 comments found
Mixed Blessing : 3/15/2010
There is no doubt the money generated by vineyards have prevented the development of farmland.
Unfortunately, it is also without question these vineyards have also encouraged an overall increase in housing development, traffic, and drunk driving.
Vineyards should continue to have more flexibility than developers. They should not however, be given the same leniencies as traditional farmers.
I don't buy the whole "museum" concept, I doubt many do. Hopefully, if this buidling does pass, it will have more taste than the existing Raphael buidling. The "Pre-fab Napa" look reminds me of why we never moved up island.
And to "Property Rights:" it's called zoning. In your version of reality, your next door neighbors would have the right to open a bar, and no one would feel bad for you when you complain about the "laughter" next door.
actually, they don't : 3/12/2010
Actually, the taxpayers paid for 50 acres when they owners sold them the development rights. One would think that the community has a right to have some say on what goes on there. Can't sell your development rights then claim'property rights' after.
Property Rights : 3/11/2010
What does it say about Long Islanders that they are "frustrated by...laughter"? You don't have a right to a serene, bucolic life in your little over-priced paradise. Rafael owns the land and, as long as they're not breaking the law, they should do what they want with it.
