This street in Cutchogue is famous for L.I. wines The vines at Wesley Hall Vineyards, the exclusive grape supplier to Ternhaven Cellars

Every time we begin our research for a featured winery story, we make a point of learning the most about the "personality"of the winery. Just like the wine, no two Long Island wineries are alike.

This month's featured winery Ternhaven Cellars follows the tradition because it is truly unlike any other winery found on Long Island.

It might be debated across both the North and South Forks, but we believe Ternhaven earns the title of "the furthest winery east", just edging Wolffer Sagapond in the Hamptons. This means that if you are traveling from western Long Island, you will need to travel a little further past the densest concentration of wineries on the North Fork to the quaint seaport village of Greenport to reach Ternhaven, but your travels will be well worth it !

Ternhaven Cellars winery on Front St. in Greenport The infamous newspaper cartoon

Ternhaven is located only a few blocks from the Shelter Island Ferry (RT 114) and minutes from the Orient Point Ferries leading to New London and Foxwood Resorts.

If you are a fan of red wine......you’ll be happy to know that Ternhaven Cellars specializes in producing Vin rouge (Bordeaux-type red wines). Harold Wesley Watts co-founder, sole proprietor and Winemaker, has wisely chosen to specialize in creating his favorite varietal reds. If you visit his tasting room which opens again in mid-April, you will find that Ternhaven also pours a Dzugas Vineyards white wine, which the winery has been distributing and retailing and a pink picnic wine Harbor Rose.

Harold Watts, proprietor

Ternhaven’s friendly vintner, is a retired Professor of Economics & Public Affairs from Columbia University. Holding the prestigious title of Professor Emeritus, Watts can now pursue his passion for creating fine wine. His experience in winemaking started years ago near State College, Pennsylvania, where he learned a great deal from Jack and Martha Kolln, proprietors of Kolln Vineyards in Bellefonte, PA. The Kollns started their first commercial vintage in the late 1970’s.

Harold Watts showing off a painting that was given to him by his aunt

When a potato farmer gave it up in 1982, Mr.Watts planted 5 acres of grapes on land purchased a few years earlier. The Vineyard is on Alvah’s Lane in Cutchoque, just down the block from Hargrave Vineyards. (The soil in that area is well known for yielding consistently good Merlot). As the vines came into production, grapes were sold to local wineries. The vines matured year by year and plans became serious in 1994 when Watts and Carole Donlin joined forces to make a run at the winery business.

Admiring a bottle of 1997 Claret D’Alvah

Well known LI Winemaker Russell Hearn (Pellegrini Vineyards) helped create the first few vintages of Ternhaven Cellars’Merlot , Cabernet Sauvignon and a Meritage blend called Claret D'Alvah. Rave reviews followed, and Ternhaven has evolved into a high class boutique vineyard, a title afforded to wineries with limited production but unlimited aspirations for quality.

The current winery building sits on the western edge of Greenport Village in what was once a gas station. In 1997,when Mr.Watts completed the conversion of the building to the current winery facility, a local newspapers published a comical cartoon depicting a gas station that pumped wine.

Stainless steel vats converted from recycled milk tanks

I made several visits to Ternhaven Cellars. The first in early October,was a short stop through town with my wife Darcy on our return ride home from the Orient Point Ferry. Darcy is not a fan of red wines but on tasting she quickly confirmed my appreciation of Ternhaven’s 1995 & 1996 vintages of Cabernet Sauvignon. Both deep red wines are dry with full, long bodies and a oaky flavor. The 1995 vintage has recently sold out. For the record,both of these vintages were overseen by Winemaker Russell Hearn.

During that visit we also had the honor of barrel tasting two new Ternhaven releases;

Slowly aging Merlot

Bottling by hand

My second visit to Ternhaven was arranged by appointment on New Year’s eve,1999. I took advantage of the fact that this would not be a busy day

Vintage oak barrel

at the winery. Mr. Watts was relaxed and looking forward to well deserved vacation to visit his family in Oregon. When you compare Ternhaven’s facilities to most other LI wineries it may seem compact. But in this case, small is better. The design and layout of the facility is well planned, immaculately sterile and the vintner’s attention to detail is evident throughout the operation. Lot’s of oak barrels are quietly aging in the back wine room. Stainless steel vats made from recycled milk tanks make for a good topic of conversation but well serve their purpose in making great wine.

During this visit on the last day of 1999, I asked Mr.Watts to give his insight on the LI wine region and the Northfork’s area.
Publisher: What’s your perspective on the future of Long Island wine ?

Mr.Watts: Long Island wine will continue to get international attention and increasing amounts of Long Island wines will be exported in the future.

Publisher: What about interstate shipping ? Are your wines available in other states ?

Mr.Watts: I believe that current law against shipping wine across state borders is ridiculous...it handicaps both consumers and small-scale producers. At this time, our wine is only available in New York state.

Publisher: I know that you should never ask a parent which one of his children is his favorite.....but, what’s your favorite Ternhaven Cellars wine?

Mr.Watts: That’s a hard one, but if I am limited to only one, I would pick our 1997 Claret D’Alvah. It’s a blend of Merlot(58%), Cabernet Sauvignon(37%) and Cabernet Franc(5%).

Publisher: Can you tell me about some of your favorite area restaurants ?

Mr.Watts: Porta Bella in Greenport is always solid. Sea Food Barge in Southold is another top choice. I like O'Donnell's in Greenport for a lighter meal. Ross’ North Fork Restaurant has a well-deserved reputation and the Rotisserie and Smokehouse's barbecued Duck legs are a real take-out treat. Both of these are on the North Road (RT48) in Southold.

Ternhaven Cellars- Currently Available Wines

Vintage	Bottle Price	Suggested food pairing
1996 Cabernet Sauvignon	$17.99	Pasta and Italian foods
1996 Merlot	$19.99	Pasta and Italian foods
1996 Claret D’Alvah	$18.99	Beef, lamb or Blue Cheese
1997 Cabernet Sauvignon	$20.99	Beef, lamb or Blue Cheese
1997 Merlot	$21.99	Chicken, Fish or Pasta
1997 Claret D’Alvah	$23.99	Beef, lamb or Coq au Vin
N/V Harbor Rose	$13.99	Hamburgers & Hotdogs

Ternhaven Cellars- Distributed Varietal Wines

Vintage	Bottle Price	Suggested food pairing
1995 Dzugas Chardonnay	$13.99	Fish or Fettucinne Alfredo
1996 Peconic Bay Vin De I’lle	$12.99	Fresh fruit, Cheese and Crackers

Ternhaven Cellars
331 Front Street
Greenport, New York
Tel.(631) 477-8737

Starting April 15
through December 2000
Friday, Saturday
and Sunday from 11am to 6pm

Yes, within New York State only.
For orders required before
April 15, 2000, call (631)477-8712 or 631-8737