Vineyard 48 Owner Grilled, Residents Outraged

Vineyard 48 owner Matthew Mets was grilled by the Southold planning board Monday night over his controversial winery, which has sparked community outrage among residents complaining about noise, traffic, parking and "sex acts" in the vines.

Planning board chairman Donald Wilcenski told Mets and his attorney Patricia Moore that there were a series of questions they wanted to ask about the proposed amended site plan, which includes a proposed expanded parking lot, with 100 spaces, and an outdoor pole barn pavilion.

Moore said the board should have allowed her client to see the questions in advance.

During the public portion of the hearing, residents poured out their collective angst.

Joseph Zuhoski said security was lax at the vineyard. "They're going into the vineyards and doing their sex acts," he said.

One neighbor said limos and buses were still idling in her driveway and brought photos to prove it. She also said her son was being driven home from a baseball game recently when his vehicle was almost hit head-on by motorist who turned out of Vineyard 48 and headed the wrong way on Route 48.

"I don't sleep well or comfortably at night and, hopefully, you will make a decision to provide a safe community for us all," she told the planning board.

Bill Shipman asked why the board was even considering an amended site plan while the vineyard was still involved in litigation and under investigation by the State Liquor Authority.

"If this is approved without those cases being closed, it's criminal," he said.
 "Why isn’t anyone helping us here? Government is not protecting the people."

Jill Ann Johnson, a resident who lives on Horseshoe Drive, said she and others want to protect what's theirs. "Last year, a DJ was offering a free bottle of wine to anyone willing to bare their boobs. I shouldn't have to hear that from inside my kitchen."

Denise Lademann questioned what life would be like for her neighborhood if the amended site plan was approved, with 100 more parking spaces. "Even 300 people whispering can be a loud noise - -and it's not going to be whispering if they're drinking pitchers of sangria."

Horseshoe Drive resident Beth Shipman agreed and questioned what would go on if occupancy of over 500 was allowed. "I'm not prepared to raise my children at the Boardy Barn," she said.

"It's Sodom and Gomorrah," said Zuhoski.

Among the questions posed by the board, planning board member Bill Cremers asked what the electricity in the pavilion. Mets said it would be used for lights.

"The town seems to change its definitions and rules," Moore said. "It's a movable target. We are constantly reacting."

Isler said all the planning board was trying to ascertain was how many people would make up the largest population at Vineyard 48 on its busiest day so they could make a determination as to the adequacy of the site plan.

Moore said the number 518 could be used as a "snapshot, a moment in time" but Mets said that number could mean were on-site at one time, not all day.

The board also asked what number of people would spark Mets into having to apply for a special events permit.

After a long period of questioning about the number, Mets said, "It's a hard question. I don't know."

Moore said it was a question that had not been asked of any other agricultural operation. "You cannot discriminate," she said.

And, Moore added, "What most agri-tourism uses are trying to do is to find an overflow area that can shrink or contract, according to the number of cars that come in," she said. "We're trying to site plan for the average high rather than the extraordinary high."

"Is there a maximum number you will not exceed?" Isler asked.

No definite answer was given and the board moved on.

Other questions involved whether or not weddings would be held on-site -- Mets said only one wedding was held last year, with 65 guests.

Cremers asked if people had to pay to enter the tasting room. Mets said guests had their ID checked and paid for four gold coins, that allowed for four tastings at their leisure.

Cremers asked about the winery's hours of operation.

Moore said her client had no objection to answering questions but the board was addressing manner of operation rather than site plan issues.

Planning director Heather Lanza asked whether patrons were allowed to go unsupervised into the vines -- and Mets said there were signs and security guards to ensure guests did not wander into that area.

Lanza asked if entire bottles were sold to consume on premises, Mets said yes.

Also, many questions centered on pitchers of frozen sangria sold at the winery.

Mets said the grapes for the sangria were grown on-site and bottles of the sangria sold at Vineyard 48.

Other questions involved parking. Moore said her client had pursued a parking solution at a recycling center on Commerce Drive. The board said it would have to investigate whether that was allowable in town code, as well as Moore's interpretation of the code.

Loud music was discussed, Mets said he used a DJ and decibel meter readings were done. "Just because someone complains doesn't mean it's a violation," he said.

Parking was discussed. Moore said the planning board approved a site plan in 1995 that allowed for 36 parking spaces and overflow parking.

Questions also centered on the number of employees, whether admission was charged to the tasting room, the number of bathroom facilities, tent permits, police incident reports, security guards onhand, and whether patrons were allowed to wander the vineyards.

Mets said signage was posted and security guards onhand to ensure no one walked amongst the vines.

The planning board closed the public hearing and left the written comment portion open until July 15.

"We hear you," planning board chair Donald Wilcenski told residents, adding that no decisions would be made soon. "This is a process that is not going to happen overnight. We have to do our due diligence."