Buying local is all the rage in Brooklyn, but the enthusiasm has yet to extend to wines. But that’s about to change now that the Red Hook Winery is selling its first vintage.
“We’re not trying to imitate the California style, or European style,” said owner Mark Snyder, who does everything at the Van Dyke Street winery but grow the grapes, which come from Long Island. “We’re trying to establish the North Fork as the next big thing in wine.”
Napa Valley vintners Bob Foley and Abe Schoener are in charge of the elaborate, exacting process of making the wines, and each brings a distinct style to the products (Foley likes a bold fruity taste up front, while Schoener goes for a subtle, spicey, sophisticated nose).
For now, bottles of Red Hook Winery white, rose and red can only be purchased at the Brooklyn Wine Exchange on Court Street — and even restaurateurs are snatching up the bottles faster than Jake Barnes on a bender.
“The feedback we’re getting is great,” said Snyder.
Even as the wine is sold elsewhere, the bottles will still be hard to come by, as the winery is making a point to keep its operation small.
“This is not intended as a big business,” Snyder said. “We want to ignite interest and grow slowly and organically.”
Red Hook Wines are available at The Brooklyn Wine Exchange [138 Court St. between Atlantic and Pacific streets, (718) 855-9463] and at Henry’s End [44 Henry St. at Cranberry Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 834-1776] and Home/Made [293 Van Brunt St. at Pioneer Street in Red Hook, (347) 223-4135].— Stephen Brown
