Lenz Winery Claimed

In 1977, Peter & Patricia Lenz, having closed their well-known restaurant, A Moveable Feast, were in search of a new adventure. Inspired by the efforts and successes of their friends, Alex & Louisa Hargrave, they purchased a property on the North Fork and planted gewürztraminer, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and a small amount of pinot noir. The old barn, originally part of the Krupski farm, was converted into a tasting room and The Lenz Winery was formally established in 1978.

Peter & Patricia Lenz chose not to produce wine from their vineyard until 1983. Instead, they followed the French and German tradition of cutting off the fruit just as it was forming in order to ensure the development of a deeper root structure. Patricia Lenz explained, “The patience it took to wait years to taste the fruits of our labors was not easy, but wait we did. And it was worth it.”

The Lenzes immersed themselves in the developing wine region, working with the Hargraves to establish the Long Island Wine Council. “They held the standard of both quality and innovation high.”

In 1988, the Lenzes passed the reins to Peter & Deborah Carroll who already had a successful vineyard in nearby Cutchogue. The Carrolls initially leased The Lenz Winery, purchasing it outright in 1994.