Can anyone truthfully say they did not have wild dreams when they were young
of what they would be when they grew up? Jim Waters almost achieved one of
young Americans' favorite dreams when, after college, he tried out for the
NY Jets as a punter and even appeared in two pre-season games but like many
hopeful aspirants he was cut at the final stage and that dream had to be put
behind him and he went into the more mundane world of hotel management.
Business life continued with a number of companies and between work and
raising a young family, over the years Jim continued making wine at home, a
hobby he dates back to the time he spent as a youngster in Europe where he
first came under the spell of the "wine bug". Home wine making went from 5
gallons to 10 then a garage building was converted. Because he got a lot of
compliments about his wine, even though still just an amateur, he entered
competitions and did well.
Now when 9/11 struck, Jim, as well as being a guy with a regular business
career was also a volunteer fireman with the Manorville, Long Island Company
and the day after the terrorist attack, Jim found himself down at Ground
Zero. He confided that this experience changed his outlook on life as it did
for so many. He and his wife, Linda discussed their future and Jim felt very
strongly that he wanted a career where he could create something tangible
and even make a legacy for their two daughters. 'Out of terrible things,
good things do happen' he told me.
Now virtually all the people starting out in the wine business on Long
Island have done it by first buying or leasing land and growing grapes that,
after harvesting, many take to other wineries or specialist crush houses for
the actual wine making, again with most opting for a local experienced wine
maker to perform the magical transformation process. Not so Jim. He decided
that his forte is to make wine so he rented a store in Cutchogue on Sound
Avenue installed all of the equipment from crusher to fermentation tanks to
the best new French oak barrels and in 2001 he proudly presented his first
vintage.
Last year Linda had the idea to turn the storefront into a picturesque bijou
tasting room where visitors are able to taste and buy Waters Crest wines.
Then this year, in partnership with Ray Blum they took their wares to the
South Fork when they opened the Hampton Wine Boutique on Main Street in
Westhampton Beach. Jim told with relish of customers who walk in and in
apparent disdain exclaim, "Oh you only stock Long Island wines!", taste them
and end up walking out with several bottles or a case! Here they stock not
only wines from Waters Crest and from Ray Blum' Ackerly Pond but also wines
from Castello di Borghese, Cutchogue Cellars and Wolffer and Red Fern, a
Kosher wine made in Connecticut from Long Island grapes
This year Jim expects to bottle just under 200 cases of his Meritage, Merlot
and Cabernet Franc reds and Chardonnay, Riesling and Gewürztraminer whites.
The future almost certainly will bring further expansion and almost
certainly relocation as he runs out of room.
Jim Waters' enthusiasm for Long Island wines is infective, he loves to spend
time with customers and he is a great advocate for the Long Island industry.
He also is a prime example of someone who has come into this very difficult
profession not as a hobby but determined to make it his living. His motto is
to spend wisely but only to buy the best. Apart from sales though the
Tasting Rooms his sales are primarily focused on 'Zagat type' restaurants
and select wine stores. His wines continue to receive favorable reviews and
have been put on the wine lists at notable restaurants such as Piccolo and
Indigo in Huntington, La Plage in Wading River, The Chequit Inn on Shelter
Island, the Jamesport Country Kitchen and the Sea Food Barge in Southold.
Waters Crest Winery
22355 Rte. 48, Unit 6
Cutchogue, NY 11935
Tel. 631-734-5065
Fax. 631-878-7222
www.waterscrestwinery.com
RB
