Roanoke Vineyards

About Us

• The Vineyard
• The Winemaking
• The People
  • Richard Pisacano
  • Soraya Pisacano
  • Roman Roth
• Tasting Room
• Groups & Reservations Policy

Richard Pisacano

Richard Pisacano is a native Long Islander—from Huntington , N.Y. , in western Suffolk County , at the Nassau County border. Like Roman Roth, winemaker for Roanoke Vineyards (as well as Wolffer Estates and Grapes of Roth), Pisacano recognized early on that the world of wine was where he wanted to be. His first introduction to viticulture was in 1977, during his high school years, when he worked at Mudd's Vineyard in Southold, in Long Island 's famous North Fork Wine Country. There he learned how to install, control, and manage the growth of grapevines. In 1982, Pisacano joined the staff at Jamesport Vineyards, learning to graft grapevines to produce higher quality fruit and improved yields. Two years later, he purchased an 11-acre property on the North Fork and planted his own vinifera grapes, selling them to local wineries. He also moved into limited wine production himself, producing small quantities for local restaurants to sell as their own brands. Then, in 1997, Roman Roth invited Richard to join him at the Wölffer Estate to manage the vineyards, which he has done with spectacular success.

After years of patient study, experimentation, development, and hard work, Richard decided to put his amassment of wine knowledge into his own label, Roanoke Vineyards, which is owned by himself and his wife Soraya. Roanoke Vineyards' Tasting Room opened in 2004 on a 10-acre property on Sound Avenue in Riverhead, New York , 7 acres of which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. .Richard brought a lifetime of experience to Roanoke Vineyards, and in just over two years, has already had bestowed upon himself and the label a formidable collection of accolades, including the award for “Best Vinifera Red Blend” at the 2006 New York Wine and Food Classic. Richard's partner-in-wine is Roman Roth, the winemaker behind Wolffer's fine wines, as well as his own prestigious Grapes of Roth. Between Richard Pisacano's sure vineyard hand and regional expertise, and the masterful old-world touch of new generation winemaker Roman Roth, the Roanoke Vineyards wines set a high standard for traditional, limited-production, hand-crafted, premium red wines.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Pisacano and his staff have been experimenting with a wide variety of viticultural projects to streamline and improve the vineyards on both forks, including trellising systems, creative irrigation, layouts, and organic farming. “Our attention to each vine is critical to our success,” says Richard. “By nurturing the potential of each vine, the vineyards find balance and harmony, which, in turn, is reflected in our wines.”

While Richard works with a wide array of varietals at Wolffer, Roanoke Vineyards is expressly dedicated to growing grapes for limited-production, hand-crafted, ultra-premium Red Wines only, wines that are made in a classic “old world” manner; no filtration, no fining, long macerations, and long barrel aging. ( Roanoke also offers two negoçiant wines, a blended-fermentation Chardonnay, and a dry Rosé). In 2007, Roanoke Vineyards is releasing four Red Wines from the fantastic 2004 vintage: a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, a Merlot, and the new vintages of Blend One and Blend Two, Roanoke Vineyards' flagship Bordeaux-style meritage blends. The already apparent premier quality of these wines bespeaks continued success for Richard and Soraya, and for Roanoke Vineyards.