Winemaker, Advocate, Author

Richard has been a transformative presence in the Long Island Wine Region since its nascent years. Cutting his teeth at Hargrave, the first established LI vineyard, before taking the reigns of Vineyard Manager & Winemaker at Bridgehampton, where he was among the first to market Long Island wines to New York City.

He is responsible for authoring all three American Viticultural Areas in the region, including the North Fork of Long Island appellation in 1986, and developed the first Bordeaux/Long Island consultation partnership with M. Paul Pontallier of Chateau Margaux.

Rich pioneered the use of wild yeasts, becoming the first Winemaker on the East Coast to do so, and establishing a style of low alcohol, terroir driven wines that have become famous on the North Fork.

In 2012 he helped found Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing, the first third party certification program for vineyard sustainability on the East Coast, and has consistently advocated for sustainable, ethical, and ecologically responsible practices on the East End.