About Sherwood House Vineyards
Description
Sherwood House Vineyards is owned and operated by Dr. Charles Smithen, a New York City based Cardiologist and his wife Barbara, a vintage jewelry dealer.
A highly regarded cardiologist in New York City as well as a faculty member at Cornell Medical School, Dr. Smithen has a longstanding passion for wine that originated long before the latest revelations about wine's healthful properties emerged. It began during the late 1960s when he spent two and half years doing medical research in London. To further his wine education he made frequent trips to France, visiting vineyards and wineries in various regions.
"For us, this is a true partnership," Barbara explained. "We have both had successful separate careers. Now we are finally working together. You cannot imagine how thrilling it is to see a dream you have started from scratch grow into something real."
Charles and Barbara had always wanted to live among the vineyards, and were determined to make that dream come true. North Fork residents for over twenty years, their farmhouse, which was built in 1860 and surrounding land on Oregon Road were more recent purchases. As Barbara recounted, "One day, in 1996, Charles called and told me he was going to look at some land and that I should meet him out there. When I arrived at 2600 Oregon Road, an elderly man cutting roses the size of dinner plates turned to me and said, 'Your husband just bought my house.'"
"I fell in love with that rose garden and when I came across an old sign in the shed that they used to sell jams and jellies on the roadside, I was completely hooked," she continued. The house offered endless potential for renovation. Barbara added, "I found my muse in that space. I completely gutted the house and made the ground floor into one big living area." Numerous, uncurtained windows now invite guests to gaze out upon the stunning vista of vineyards from an intimate sitting area. Barbara also planted hundreds of tulip bulbs of numerous varieties so that during the spring, surprise spots of vibrant color greet the eye.
After three years of growing premium quality grapes for established Long Island wineries, Sherwood House Vineyards brought its debut 1999 Chardonnay, made from the Burgundian clones, planted in 1996, to market in June 2001. The wine received major international praise including a Bronze Medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition in London. The Beverage Tasting Institute also gave the wine their highest ranking outside of California.
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot have since been planted on 38 acres of former corn and potato fields. All plantings were made under the guidance of master Long Island vineyard specialist Steve Mudd. Our wines are made at the ultra modern facilities of the Premium Wine Group, in Mattituck. Our winemaker Gilles Martin, a native of France, is no stranger to the Long Island wine industry having been the Winemaker at Macari Vineyards.
|
 |
Facts
Location
In Mattituck on Long Island's North Fork
| Company: |
Sherwood House Vineyards |
| Address: |
2600 Oregon Road
Mattituck, NY 11952 |
| Phone: |
(631) 298-2157 |
| Fax: |
(212) 828-8869 |
| Website: |
www.sherwoodhousevineyards.com |
| Months: |
January - December |
| Days: |
Monday - Friday |
| Hours: |
09:00 AM - 05:00 PM |
|
|
|
