Southold Farm + Cellar Moving to Texas, Farmhouse, Winery Up for Sale

SOUTHOLD, NY - The Meadors have reached the end of the road in Southold.

Regan and Carey Meador wrote a Facebook post on Tuesday announcing that they have decided to move their business to Texas and also, put their home and farm on the market.

The $1,899,000 listing is with Town & Country Real Estate.

The news comes after a decision in March by the Southold Zoning Board of Appeals to deny a variance they'd requested.

"Tonight the Southold Town Zoning Board of Appeals saw fit to deny us a variance from a very recent interpretation of their bulk schedule. This effectively means that Southold Farm + Cellar will cease to exist as many of you have come to know us; our property is effectively closed to the public. Our hearts are broken, to say the least, we do not know what will come next or how/if we will be able carry on, but we will certainly let you know when we do," Regan and Carey Meador wrote on Facebook at the time.

The battles had been constant: In February, the Meadors received notice that they must appear before the New York State Liquor Authority at a hearing to determine whether their liquor license would be revoked or canceled.

The Meadors had their tasting room shut down last year by Southold Town code enforcement because they opened without necessary approvals, the town said.

The winery had a certificate of occupancy for a single family dwelling and an open permit for a farm stand, according to Michael Verity, Southold’s chief building inspector, who sent out code enforcement to their business.

“They do not have the certificates to do what they’re doing or approval from other agencies,” Verity said.

A new road

On Tuesday, the Meadors explained their position on Facebook. "As most of you know, the Town of Southold chose to deny our request for a single variance on our 23-acre farm property on March 17. In the year leading up to the decision, we proposed a laundry list of covenants and restrictions, while highlighting identically sized operations in the area. We expended a large amount of time and energy trying to come to a compromise with the town, but unfortunately were unable to do so. Since the decision was announced, our family's priority has been focused upon what our next steps should be."

However, the Meadors said, without being able to offset the costs of land and living through the ability to grow, make and sell their small batch wine from their farm, they felt their ability to sustainably run their small business in Southold was diminished.

"Furthermore, this zoning decision, coupled with recently uncovered conflicting town code and State Liquor Authority regulations, means we are left with no viable options to continue here in Southold Town," the couple said. "Of course we could attempt to continue operating as some others here do on the fringes or loopholes of the law. Or we could choose to fight and waste taxpayers’ time and money as well as our own on unending litigation with the town or those with unlimited means. But it’s hard to see anything but a brick wall with those choices. After many meetings and pleadings with industry, town, county, and state officials, it is clear that these issues are bigger than us, with no near-term resolution in sight."

A silver lining

The Meadors said they received a gift throughout the long ordeal, "the proverbial 'open window'", in the form of a chance to take a step back, hit reset, and ask very difficult questions about how to move forward.

"For some time now, we have watched the growth of a vibrant, young, and nascent wine-growing industry in Texas. We have been charmed, to say the least, with the people, the incredible diversity in land, and the notion of our ability to affordably continue pushing the envelope and pursue our dreams, much as we have done here," they said. "So after many visits, discussions, much excitement and many tears, we have decided to completely re-locate Southold Farm + Cellar, name, inventory and all, to the Texas Hill Country. While some things, including varieties, may change, our commitment to our craft will remain firmly intact."

Home and farm for sale

The Meadors have listed their 23.5 acre farm and home in Southold for sale with Town & Country, for $1,899,000, according to Hamptons Real Estate Online.

"We hope to find buyers who will love it as much as we do, and that they can move in and make it their own," the Meadors said.

But the sadness lingers. "As excited as we are about the next chapter, we are equally distraught over having to leave our home, our friends, and family here. You are all part of our story. In addition, we have no doubt in the vast opportunities this land has to offer or in the amazing talent of those currently working with it, and we truly do wish the best for our colleagues here. We implore the community who support this farming business to be vigilant in protecting and fostering the future of this noble endeavor of growing quality wine, because like potatoes, grapes are not permanent."

In the short term, the Meadors said they still have the first vintage of their home farm varieties, Teroldego and Lagrein, and the last vintage of the Farrm to finish bottling, as well as current releases available.

The current releases will remain available on the Southold Farm + Cellar website and at the North Fork Table and Inn Farmers' Market on Fridays. Future releases will only be available to those who ordered futures and subscription club releases for summer and fall.

"Finally, thank each of you for every kind word and gesture throughout this entire ordeal. We would have gone crazy long ago if it weren’t for all of your encouragement. We cherish your support and friendship and hope you will continue with us on this next chapter of our story," the post, signed Regan, Carey, Coralai and Sawyer, read.

Photo courtesy of the Meadors, taken on their first day open to the public.