Make Your Own Vintage

Filed in archive New York Wines on July 25, 2007

If you've ever wanted to make your own wine, but didn't want to invest in the equipment, vines, and cellar, now you can get a membership in a vineyard. bella Vita Vineyard in Cutchogue (Long Island), NY is offering this as an exciting glimpse into just how much time and effort it takes to go from grape to bottle.

From Newsday:

For those who have ever thought of trying their hand at winemaking without owning the vines or wine cellar, the Sannino's say the next best thing is a "membership" in an existing vineyard. Members learn grape growing and winemaking from the ground up, and finish with a barrel of wine they can call their own...

Membership in Bella Vita costs $3,500, and includes just about everything one or up to a dozen people per membership would need to produce a barrel of fine local wine - enough for 237 bottles, the Sanninos say (or $12.72 a bottle). In addition to personal lessons in viticulture and winemaking, the price includes labels, an annual harvest festival, step-by-step help through the process and barrel storage.

For more information, visit www.sanninovineyards.com