Robin Epperson McCarthy of Saltbird Cellars.
“Grapes don’t stop growing because of COVID,” says Robin Epperson-McCarthy, who is the one-woman show behind Saltbird Cellars.
Epperson-McCarthy applied for an SFEE Resilience Grant (you can help fund the grants here) to help her buy screw caps and labels for her 2019 Sauvignon Blanc. “If hadn’t gotten it when I did, I would have put it on a credit card, which many wine growers end up doing.” She adds, “I’m concerned about other people will wind up in debt.”
Sauvignon blanc is Epperson-McCarthy’s specialty and is a grape that grows well on the East End. And winemakers like Epperson-McCarthy have been working to make the wine in the style unique to Long Island that reflects our soil, weather in climate. It’s working with Long Island wine landing in the middle between the two most famous sauvignon blancs: New Zealand and Sancerre.
Like other farmers Epperson-McCarthy had to modify her business model to adjust to the pandemic. She says regular customers are still able to buy the wine at the tasting room she shares with winemaker Alie Shaper, Peconic Cellar Door on Peconic Lane, which sells five different brands through their cooperative Chronicle Wines.
While the tasting room was closed, the wines were set up in the front window so customers can see what’s for sale and pick up curbside. The two have been shipping a lot of wine, she says, and online sales are brisk.
Epperson-McCarthy created tasting kits so customers can have the tasting room experience at home. The boxes include wine notes, tasting mats and five different wines in 50 ml bottles.
Things are getting back to “normal.” Peconic Cellar Door is now open Friday through Monday from 12pm to 5pm with outside seating and masks required.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the grant,” says Epperson-McCarthy. “Slow Food East End reached out in a time of need; we’re a community.”