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Situated on Sound Avenue in Riverhead, Martha Clara Vineyards is one of the closest vineyards on the North Fork to the rest of Long Island. The expansive tasting room and event spaces make it a truly multi-purpose facility. Weddings, charity events, and other parties can occur here without the necessity of closing the winery to the public. Don’t think that this means they are an impersonal or industrial facility: they are family owned and operated. In addition to the beautiful facilities, Martha Clara also has a menagerie of animals including goats, cattle, and horses.
Anyone who grew up on Long Island is familiar with Entenmann’s, the bakery whose white boxes with the blue lettering was a supermarket staple for decades. Mini chocolate doughnuts or chocolate chip cookies anyone? Yes, the Entenmann’s are real people, and Martha Clara Vineyards is named for the matriarch of the Entenmann family, the wife of William Entenmann, who started the company in 1898. Their son, Robert Entenmann first planted grapes in 1995, grapes that now cover over 100 acres.
What most people may not realize is that Martha Clara and the Entenmann’s family don’t just make a wine. They give back to the community. They host charity benefits and educational classes and walks. Often the cost of participation is food for local animal shelters.
If you haven’t already been to Martha Clara, you should definitely check them out. They are very family and animal friendly and a great place to spend an 
afternoon.
If you want more than to just visit, Martha Clara Vineyards also has several upcoming winter events that you can also find on our calendar:
Friday, November 28: Black Friday Concert
An alternative to “shopping madness”! Rather than being trampled for a video game console, spend your Black Friday at Martha Clara. Doors open at 7PM for The Cold Spring Harbor Band. They are a Billy Joel tribute band specializing in chronological performances. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, but are limited so don’t wait for the last minute!
Saturday, December 6 from 1-4PM: Wedding Open House
Come and see the beautiful Northville Barn, Martha Clara’s wedding venue. Meet their event manager and some of the East End’s most sought after wedding vendors including:
Christopher Michael Catering/Two Forks Catering, Alexis Stein Photography and Sugar Magnolias Flowers.
Sunday, December 7 from 11AM-2PM: Pet Photos with Santa
Animals and their people can pose with Santa, photography by Kathleen O’Donnell. Hosted by and benefitting Kent Animal Shelter. Meet other adoptable pets and browse the Pet Gift Boutique. Donations of pet food, toys, clean bedding are always appreciated. There is a $10 minimum donation per photo. For additional details, contact Kent at 631-727-5731.
Not yet scheduled in December is their Vines and Canines Educational Walk:
Walk your dog and learn the history of Long Island, of Martha Clara Vineyards, the grapes, and the farm animals. The price of admission is a non-perishable cat or dog food item to be donated to a rotating list of shelters including North Fork Animal Welfare League and the Brookhaven Animal Shelter.
The Varietal Perspective Tasting
Beginning in January and held twice each month for three months is the Varietal Perspective Tasting. Teaching the class is Martha Clara winemaker Juan E. Micieli-Martinez. Each class covers a single varietal and how it originated and grows here on Long Island. Participants will taste several vintages of that varietal as they are provided with information on the winemaking process used to create that wine. Artisanal cheeses will be paired with each flight. Sessions are from 1-2:30PM, tickets are $40 in advance, $35 for members, and $45 at the door, but space is limited.
January 18 and 31 for Burgundian Varietals
February 15 and 28 for Bordeaux Varietals
March 8 and 21 for Alsatian Varietals
April 18 is a snow date for classes cancelled due to weather.
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