Winery Takes 'Buy Local' Mantra to Tasting Room

One North Fork winery has decided to support other local businesses by stocking its tasting room with products made on the East End.

Laura Hoch, tasting room manager at  said the winery is taking the concept of “locavore” to a new level and is actively stocking its shelves with locally made goods.  

She said they currently carry Zincuta Ointment, Amagansett Sea Salt, Catapano Dairy Farm soaps and lotions, Sea-Renity Designs wine charms, Montauk Iced Tea, North Fork Potato Chips, handcrafted soy candles from Jamesport Candle, Really Good Jams made in Cutchogue, and a variety of books written by local authors including Louisa Hargrave and John Ross. The tasting room also carries its own private label olive oils, which are infused and bottled locally as well.

“Rather than taking home a plastic item from China, we want our visitors to take home a piece of the North Fork,” Hoch said.

The idea of focusing on locally made products in its tasting room was born after Hoch and General Manager Jim Silver were trying to think of products the winery could carry that would set it apart from other wineries on the North Fork.

Silver said the company has always had a commitment to being “local.” He said the winery goes out of its way to engage local residents by having Thursday Night Open Mic Nights and events on Friday evenings throughout the year. Focusing on selling quality products made by locals is a natural fit. 

Silver said the winery would love to hear from people who make homemade products on the East End that could be sold in the tasting room. They would like to focus on farm-related products, but Silver said he would consider “relevant” products made by local artisans.

The one restriction the tasting room has, said Hoch, is that they cannot carry items that have an overpowering scent because it inhibits the wine tasting process.

With approximately 30,000 visitors during the busy season, products in the tasting room receive a lot exposure. Noting that the wine itself is a local product, Silver said the Peconic Bay Winery brand would also be expanding this year.

“By the end of the year, we will carry 19 wines. We have a whole bunch of blends coming down the pike,” Silver said.

If you are interested in having your product featured in the Peconic Bay tasting room, contact Hoch at 631-734-7361.