Anthony Nappa behind the bar at The Winemaker Studio in Peconic.
By Lenn Thompson, Executive Editor
Last night I stopped in at Anthony Nappa and Sarah Evans' soon-to-open The Winemaker Studio -- housed in the space formerly occupied by The Tasting Room a co-op tasting room run by Theresa Dilworth of Comtesse Therese.
The Winemaker Studio is where Nappa, who is also the winemaker at Shinn Estate Vineyards, will pour and sell wines he makes under his own label while also offering wines from three other private labels: Suhru Wines from Russell Hearn of Pellegrini Vineyards and Premium Wine Group, Grapes of Roth from Roman Roth of Wolffer Estate Vineyard, and Leo Family from John Leo of Clovis Point. There will also be a rotating group of wines featured from other local wineries.
Based on first impressions, Nappa and Evans' concept is a great one -- one that should appeal to those new to Long Island wines as well as the already converted. The wines that were poured last night offered something for most everyone, with prices ranging from $15-50.
Fresh, bright whites? Check out Anthony Nappa Wines 2010 "Luminous" Riesling ($18), Suhru Wines 2010 Riesling ($15) or The Grapes of Roth 2008 Riesling ($22). Looking for something spicy and a little racy? The Anthony Nappa Wines 2010 "Spezia Gewurztraminer" ($18) fits the bill. Want a juicy, pepper red for a burger this weekend? Suhru Wines 2009 Syrah ($22) is a low-oak gem. Perhaps you want something bigger and more cellar-worthy? The Winemaker Studio offers Grapes of Roth 2004 Merlot ($50) and Leo Family Wines Red ($40). They'll even have Grapes of Roth 2009 "Noble Roth" a TBA-style riesling that was one of my wines of the evening.
Nappa and Evans are hoping to open to the public later this month -- once they finalize the sometimes-arduous licensing process. Once it opens, it's a must-visit on the North Fork wine trail.
Congratulations to Anthony, Sarah and the rest of the winemakers involved in the project. I look forward to stopping in again soon.
The Winemaker Studio by Anthony Nappa Wines
2885 Peconic Lane, Peconic NY 11958
774-641-7488
The other factor he uses very often is what I call the 'rollercoaster'. So he's not just telling a story. The story goes up and down. And up and down. So when you listen to the story where he's talking about the time he doubted himself, he's going from being super confident and super cool to feeling like he's not really that hot when he sees those photos on the wall. Then he drives home that fear, building it all the time (into a downward spiral). And it loops and yanks you along because you have no clue what's going to happen next. And then up comes the rollercoaster again. Now he comes good on the second show without realising what's happening. But Bill's carefully pulling the audience along with the way in which the story goes up or down. And he's also using very clear visual cues to keep you connected to the story all the time.
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