Richie and Soraya Pisacano started Roanoke in 2000. Rich planted a Chardonnay vineyard with Steve Mudd in 1983, and also grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes. Soraya Pisacano is the President is the architect of the business plan. Roanoke's lead winemaker is Roman Roth who has been making wine since 1992 on Long Island's East End. Winemaker Miguel Martin is the driving force behind their white blends. Quite literally, few winemakers in the US can match his aromatics.
With Jennie Spencer and Lenn Thompson of the CorkReport
I met Jennie Spencer for the first time, She has ten years of experience in the Long Island wine region, and she was fantastic. She was incredibly welcoming and knowledgable, I arrived with Long Island and New York wine scribe Lenn Thompson from the CorkReport.com. He has been writing about Roanoke Vineyards since their beginnings. Roanoke Vineyards was the first two have two tasting rooms on the island dedicate to two different sets of clientele. There's the one open to the general public on Love Lane in Mattituck. And then there's the Wine Club Members ONLY tasting room at the vineyard on Sound Avenue. My friend Lenn is a case club member, so we were welcomed at Sound Avenue by Jennie.
Roanoke Vineyards Infinite Possibility 2015 is a white blend of Sauvignon Blanc with Pinot Blanc, and a touch of Chardonnay. It was another fantastic aromatic white from Miguel Martin. Big tropical fruit upfront in this bright, light white with a zesty, clean finish.
Roanoke Vineyards Unfiltered Rosé 2015 is a limited production rosé made from Cabernet Franc. This light, light pink wine is unfiltered and unfined wine that explodes with bright fresh strawberry and light bright cherry, and laced with bright lime zest. An elegant and delicious rose wine.
Roanoke Vineyards Merlot 2011 is a medium red wine, with notes of big dark ripe cherry, blackberry, and dried cherry, with nice mineral/slate notes and some earthiness. Very, very nice red.
Roanoke Vineyards Marco Trulio 2013 is named after Soraya Pisacano's father, Marco Tulio. This has always been my favorite wine of the Roanoke Vineyard lineup and continues to be today. I loved this wine all over again. This is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot. A complex and balanced wine with cherry, raspberry and cassis, hints of mineral, some earthiness, but in credibly layered with hints of mocha and vanilla, and a great finish. It's a great food wine and goes with a wide variety of dishes. I have served this wine numerous times and to the biggest wine snobs, and always gotten an enthusiastic response.I absolutely love this wine!
Winemaker Roman Roth and grower Rich Pisacano have made the Roanoke Vineyards The Hill 2013 form a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.The uniqueness of this wine is that the grapes are blended before crushing. This is Roanoke's field blend. The idea is that the flavors of these two grapes begin to integrate right from the very beginning. Approximately 65% Cab Sauv and 35% Cab Franc It is a big red wine with a powerful nose of black and red currants and stewed red berries, mocha, and a nice mineral layer underscoring some earthiness as well. This is a wonderful wine. My second favorite from their line up which made it to my personal cellar.I loved it!
With their all-star line-up, Roanoke Vineyards continues to make some of the best white and red wines on the North Fork. Love their line up , their winemakers, and their tasting room staff! Always, always impressed when I leave Roanoke!