Northport's Del Vino Vineyards takes over Riverhead farm

Fueled by the success of their Northport winery — as well as continued demand for pinot grigio — the owners of Del Vino Vineyards have purchased a 30-acre farm in Riverhead and said they will convert the land to a vineyard and tasting room.

Co-owner Fred Giachetti said he expects grapevines to be planted next year on what was long known as Krupski Farm, and the tasting room to open “in two to three years,” after the vines begin producing fruit — namely, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc and petite syrah grapes, with moscato and malbec to follow.

“Instead of purchasing grapes, we want to grow our own to have better control over the quality and nature of the harvest,” said Giachetti, who owns Del Vino with his wife, Lisa. “Some grapes are in limited supply. On Long Island, you can’t get pinot grigio. We sell out of our pinot grigio and sauvignon blanc each year and we just don't have enough of it.”

In Northport, just shy of 8 acres of grapevines are planted and the winery uses those, as well as grapes purchased from the East End, for the 5,500 cases of white wine and rosé it produces annually. The winery uses grapes purchased from California for its 3,000 to 3,500 cases of red wine. “Rosé is our number one seller,” said Giachetti.

Del Vino's success has been swift. Five years ago, the Giachettis’ plan to convert 10 acres of land in Northport into a vineyard met with some community resistance. The owners prevailed and opened in 2018. The reservation-only spot — which includes a restaurant and expansive outdoor seating — has been consistently booked ever since.

Del Vino has looked to expand for awhile, Giachetti said, and last year sent scions of their current vines to a nursery to graft onto rootstock in preparation for future plantings.

They closed on the property a few weeks ago for $850,000, said Giachetti. Del Vino has hired Steve Mudd, a well-known East End viticulturist, to fertilize and prepare the land, which was most recently planted to spinach, broccoli, winter rye, potatoes and corn.

In addition to wine, the tasting room will serve tapas such as charcuterie boards, pizza, salads and grilled shrimp. Giachetti projects hiring 25 full-time employees, and additional part-time workers during the summer, to run the vineyard and tasting room, which will be called Del Vino East.