Grapes to Bottles - Loughlin Vineyards

For 25 years Loughlin Vineyards has been a hidden treasure in Sayville. Nestled away behind the Meadowcroft, it is a beautiful and welcoming place that is rich with history.

Meadowcroft was the summer home of John Ellis Roosevelt, cousin and legal advisor of President Theodore Roosevelt. President Roosevelt would often visit Meadowcroft. Vinter Barney Loughlin was born 85 years ago on the estate and spent many years living in the house behind the main house. Loughlin's father was the caretaker and his mother was governess to the Roosevelt children at Meadowcroft. 

In 1948, Loughlin purchased the back 15 acres of Meadowcroft from the Roosevelt family. He farmed part of this land and the rest was a pasture for donkeys and cows. 

Always a farmer at heart, in 1985 Loughlin decided to grow grapes even though he knew nothing about them or making wine. Some wineries on the east end of Long Island told him he would not succeed in Sayville. This made him want to do it even more. His grapes flourished and the winery grew.

Grape vines take five years to produce fruit. It is a labor of love for Loughlin, who still tends to his crops today. The first harvest of grapes was sold to wineries out east.  He did this until 1988, when he started producing his own label under the name Loughlin Vineyards. The grapes for the wines were grown in Sayville and were then taken to a winery in Cutchogue to be processed into wine and bottled there. 

Last year Loughlin expanded his winery to include a processing building. Now, from grapes to bottle the wine is made entirely in Sayville. The first batch of wine produced at the vineyards is 1,200 cases of South Bay Breeze and is available now.  All of the wine making of this family business is done by Loughlin with the help of his three daughters and their families.

It's an adventure to get to Loughlin Vineyards, driving down the wandering one lane dirt road, going past the marsh and Meadowcroft. At the end of this dirt road is a small wooden shack with the vineyard behind it. This is the tasting room. It is open every Saturday and Sunday from 1 - 5 p.m. during the year except for Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter and Thanksgiving. That includes the coldest days of winter and hottest days of summer.

During tasting hours, Loughlin is usually sitting at the small bar ready to pour wine and start a conversation. The tasting room is cozy and is decorated with photographs and mementos of Loughlin's life. Besides growing up on the Meadowcroft and starting a vineyard, he served in WWII, traveled the world, owned a print shop in town, was Sayville Fire Chief and invented fire safety equipment that is still used today.

Loughlin Vineyards produces four different wines – cabernet sauvignon, merlot, blush and chardonnay. On the label of three of the wines is a painting of a gray donkey, name Pinky in the vineyards. Pinky was one of the animals that would roam the grounds. On their blush label is a painting of a Sayville Ferry. Loughlin Vineyards wines are also served at many local restaurants including The Sayville Inn, Crickets and La Tavola. 

Loughlin Vineyards is one of the only wineries that is not located on the twin forks of Long Island. All their wine is available for tasting and to purchase. There are a few picnic tables and chairs set up outside the tasting room to take in the view of the grape vines and enjoy a bottle of wine. Just beware that there are no bathroom facilities. Fore more information, call 589-0027.

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