A sustainable vineyard in the heart of the Hamptons
The Roots
For over 35 years, Wölffer Estate Vineyard has been known as one of the finest producers on the East Coast and a center for innovation and hospitality. We are committed to producing premium, distinctive wines, ciders and spirits through a dedication to quality, penchant for style and celebration of place.
Wölffer Estate was founded in 1988 by Christian Wölffer, a man with great creative vision and a huge passion for life. The estate today is owned and operated by his children, Marc and Joey Wölffer and Winemaker/Partner Roman Roth. What started in 1988 with just 14 acres has turned into one of the most breathtaking vineyards and horse farm with 175 acres in the heart of the Hamptons. This includes the acclaimed 55 acre sustainably farmed vineyard located in Sagaponack, NY. We also own 28 acres on the North Fork of Long Island, 200 acres in Mendoza, Argentina and 2.5 acres in Mallorca, Spain. Finally, we partner with carefully selected growers on 338 acres on the North Fork of Long Island as well as 1,750 acres in Côtes de Provence, France.
Our unique combination of Bridgehampton loam soil and breezes from the Atlantic Ocean, located 2.6 miles from the estate, provide maritime conditions perfect for achieving the balance of ripeness and acidity that has come to define Wölffer’s signature style: food friendly, elegant and built for longevity. Our dry ciders and gin have extended Wölffer quality into new categories, exemplifying our drive for innovation and excellence.
Timeline
1978 – Purchased a 14-acre parcel of land with a farmhouse surrounded by potato fields
1988 – Christian Wölffer starts Sag Pond Vineyards and plants 15 acres of Chardonnay
1991 – First vintage Domaine Wölffer Chardonnay and La Ferme Martin Chardonnay
1992 – Roman Roth becomes first winemaker at Wölffer Estate
1993 – First Sagpond Vineyard Rosé released
1996 – Change winery name to Wölffer Estate Vineyard
1997 – Vineyard Manager Richie Pisacano joined the team
1999 – First time that a Wölffer Wine was poured in the White House
2003 – Roman named Winemaker of the Year at the East End Food & Wine Awards
2013 – Joey and Marc take over Wölffer Estate and partner with Roman
2013 – Making of the first Dry Rosé Cider and Dry White Cider
2014 – Launch of 2013 Summer in a Bottle Rosé
2015 – Launch of our Argentinian wine, Finca Wölffer Rosé
2016 – Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Christian's Cuvée Merlot 94+ highest East Coast score
2018 – 30 Year anniversary of Wölffer Estate Vineyard
2018 – For the first time we bottled more than one million bottles of wine in a single year
2019 – Antonov Sauvignon Blanc released, addition to our White Horse portfolio in 10 years
2022 – Launch of our Summer in a Bottle Rosé from Côtes de Provence, expanding our footprint to France
2023 – Wölffer expands into Alcohol-Removed wine with Spring in a Bottle Sparkling Rosé
2023 – Christian's Cuvée Pinot Noir released, representing the pinnacle of quality at our estate
The Vineyard & Winemaking
Winemaking is at the heart of all we do at Wölffer. The process begins in the vines, where Vineyard Manager Richie Pisacano meticulously manages our 55 pristine acres of estate vines. We grow Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and small lots of Trebbiano, Pinot Noir and Vignole. We use sustainable farming practices and are proud to have been certified for the 6th year in a row as one of the few vineyards recognized by Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing. We carry this philosophy across each of our owned or operated properties.
Winemaker & Partner Roman Roth makes Wölffer wine using traditional techniques, but always with an eye toward innovation. His goals are to make wines that are food-friendly, elegant and built for longevity. All our wines are made using estate-grown or locally-sourced fruit, and our Dry White and Rosé ciders are made from New York state apples, sourced from the Halsey Apple Orchard and other growers that meet the Halseys' high standards.
Christian Wölffer
Founder Christian Wölffer was a man with great creative vision and a huge passion for life. Over time he applied both to create a place where people could visit, enjoy and take part in a memorable experience. That place—Wölffer Estate Vineyard & Stables—was the realization of Christian's lifelong dream and a true labor of love.
The quintessential entrepreneur, Christian Wölffer was a master at managing an array of international enterprises. His career encompassed investment banking, venture capital, real estate, agriculture, and entertainment parks. But it was the world of wine that captured his heart.
This accomplished Hamburg-born international businessman was most at home at his Eastern Long Island retreat in the heart of the Hamptons. He purchased the land in 1978 as a 14-acre parcel with a farmhouse surrounded by potato fields. By 1987, Christian Wölffer had founded his vineyard near this very site.
Joey Wölffer
Joey Wölffer is a New York Native, entrepreneur and the Chief Brand Officer and Co-Owner of Wölffer Estate Vineyard based in the Hamptons. With a mission to carry on the innovative legacy of her father, Joey and her brother Marc took over the winery in early 2013. That same year, they introduced the brand’s iconic Summer in a Bottle Rosé, which traditionally sells out each summer and is the number one fastest-growing rosé in New York City.
In addition to the vineyard, Joey and Marc also took over The Tasting Room, Wine Stand and Wölffer Estate Stables, which are all located on the 170-acre estate in the heart of the Hamptons. As a champion equestrian, Joey oversees the world-class stable facility, which combines heritage, beauty and a passion for excellence. In 2016, Joey and Marc opened Wölffer Kitchen Amagansett, a light-filled neighborhood restaurant inspired by local cuisine from the land and sea.
Prior to joining the family business, Joey founded the Styleliner Truck, a luxury accessories boutique on wheels, and in 2015 she opened her eponymous boutique in Sag Harbor, NY. Specializing in limited luxe jewelry, clothing, and accessories for women, the concept boutique is a carefully curated treasure trove of extraordinary pieces by hard-to-find designers mixed with worldly vintage finds. Additionally, Joey’s environmentally conscious Re-Worked collection featuring one-of-kind, reimagined womenswear pieces is exclusively available at the Sag Harbor boutique and online at joeywolffer.com.
A graduate of Vanderbilt University, Joey began her career as a jewelry designer for Meems LTC, providing accessories for several High Street stores in the UK and later became a jewelry designer for Nine West as well as Trend Director for all of The Jones Group.
Outside of the myriad of businesses, Joey is passionately involved with The Bridgehampton Center, Robin Hood, Southampton Hospital, and EMC. She is a mother of two with her husband, Max Rohn.
Marc Wölffer
Marc Wölffer undoubtedly inherited his father’s passion for business - his career expertise has spanned the international restaurant, real estate and wine industries simultaneously. Born in Mexico City, Marc moved to Germany as a youth where he attended Munich International School. After graduation he did an apprenticeship in banking and later received an undergraduate degree in Hotel Management at Cesar Ritz in Switzerland. He trained at the Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok and the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong. Afterwards he acquired his masters degree at the Cornell University program in Paris. Marc has managed restaurants in Manhattan and Havana, Cuba, and was hired by his father as the Food and Beverage Manager at the Sea Life theme park in Hawaii.
Currently residing in Salzberg, Austria, with his four children, Marc is developing apartments in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. In addition to Wölffer Estate in the Hamptons, Marc also owns vineyards in Spain and Mendoza, Argentina, where Finca Wölffer Rosé and Finca Brau are grown, aged and bottled.
Roman Roth
A gifted winemaker, Roman Roth can often be heard singing in an enviable tenor voice amid the barrels in the winery. But most of all, he gives "voice" to his wines, produced by experience that covers three continents and stems from the dream of a 16-year-old boy in Rottweil in Germany's Black Forest.
Roman began a three-year apprenticeship at the Kaiserstuhl Wine Cooperative Oberrotweil while attending technical school as a teenager. Following that, he traveled to the United States, working at the Saintsbury Estate in California, then to New South Wales, Australia, at Rosemount Estate. Returning to Germany, he became a winemaker at Winzerkeller Wiesloch near Heidelberg and earned his Master Winemaker and Cellar Master Degree from the College for Oenology and Viticulture in Weinsberg.
In 1992, Roman became the first winemaker at Wölffer Estate Vineyard. He established the estate’s distinctive character —European elegance combined with the typicity of Long Island terroir. He has dedicated himself to promoting not only the wines of Wölffer Estate but of Long Island, where he has consulted with numerous vineyards and served as the President of the Long Island Wine Council.
Roman's contribution to quality winemaking on Long Island was recognized at the 2003 East End Food & Wine Awards (judged by the American Sommelier Society), where he was named Winemaker of the Year. Recent honors include Wine Advocate rating Diosa Late Harvest 2018 and Grandioso Rosé 2018 92 Points, Caya Cabernet Franc 2017 90 Points, and Fatalis Fatum 2017 91 Points. Caya Caberney Franc 2017 also received 92 Points from James Suckling and 90 Points from Wine Enthusiast. Our top Chardonnay Perle 2017 rated 92 Points from James Suckling.
The team
Max Rohn
CEO
Growing up around the world, Max Rohn has sought diversity in life, work, and experiences, and brings his passion of innovation and culture to the winery.
With a Computer Science degree from Vanderbilt University and an MBA in Marketing from NYU's Stern School of Business, Max started his career as a sales engineer and consultant for a software company in the Bay Area and IBM in New York. Later at consulting companies Opera Solutions and Prophet Brand Strategy, he managed marketing projects using online and offline data and the latest in analytics to drive sales and retain customers. He infuses these experiences and influences into Wölffer Estate Vineyard's storied legacy of winemaking, hospitality and innovation.
Having bicycled across the country and backpacked around the world, Max always enjoys the journey but never loses sight of the goal.
Richie Pisacano
Vineyard Manager
The success of any vintage is determined by the health and vigor of the vineyard. The vines must be capable of expressing not only the land, but also the climate and circumstance of each year's harvest. An accomplished vineyard master needs to approach each vintage with experience and a comfortable relationship with risk; the goal is to extract everything the vines have to offer, and to do less is unacceptable.
Rich Piscacano brings an extremely valuable 38 years of experience to Wölffer Estate. Long before our 55 acres were planted, Rich was the architect of many of the North Fork's best-known vineyards. The growing season requires elan and endurance. There are no days off. Ocean storms, global warming and an occasional display of Long Island's humidity demand complete attention. In addition to managing the vineyard, the vineyard master needs to have a close relationship with the winemaker. Rich and winemaker Roman Roth have collaborated on over 20 vintages and countless extraordinary wines, including our 94 point Parker-rated dessert wines. Together, they're a force of nature.
Wölffer Estate is pleased to have Rich Pisacano as one of its most important resources.
Lara Brown
CFO/Controller
A fifth-generation Hamptons resident, Lara Brown was born and raised in Water Mill on a family-owned potato farm. With a resourceful, bright and calming personality, Lara has achieved a great balance in her professional and personal life, while also making sure the books are balanced at Wölffer Estate Vineyard & Stables.
Lara attended Southampton schools and graduated from University of Connecticut with a BS in Accounting. She also completed the New York State CPA exam. She worked as a CPA for a large accounting firm for nine years. She has been with Wölffer since 2005.
Known for her organizational skills, she has applied that talent to her family as well as work. Lara understands the importance of family, particularly her husband, two sons and a daughter. In her spare time, she can be seen driving to and from baseball games, football games, and school events.
Mindy Crawford
National Sales Director
Mindy's expertise in food and wine began soon after graduating college, where she worked in restaurant management before spending 14.5 years in sales management in the food service industry in New York and Connecticut. She joined Wölffer Estate in 2007.
Mindy is an avid tennis player and passionate cook and wine enthusiast. She earned her first-level Sommelier certificate in 2009. She resides in East Quogue with her husband and teenage daughter. Mindy graduated with a BBA in Management from The University of Georgia.
Vanessa Karali
Hospitality Director
Originally hailing from the East Coast, Vanessa grew a passion for wine and food through traveling around the country. From NYC to LA Vanessa worked for numerous restaurants, chefs, and catering companies. After years in hospitality, she found her love in wine and spirits. In most recent years she has helped design beverage programs for large corporate events and celebrity parties and earned her degree as a Sommelier from the Sommelier Society of America.
Spending summers out on the East End helped her to understand the importance of sustainable farming and led her to be apart of the Wölffer team.
Emily Ely
Marketing Director
After studying Business at Franklin & Marshall College, Emily worked in media strategy and account services at OMD and Wunderman Thompson in New York City for 5 years. During her time, she worked across several brands such as Frito Lay, Chase, Campari, Volkswagen, and Purina, helping clients cultivate, develop, and execute customer-centric experiences. Bringing both strategy and creative to the table, after making the leap to living in the Hamptons full time, she eagerly took the opportunity to work at Wölffer! Now immersed in the wine and food industry in New York, she spearheads unique partnerships and product releases that align with the wineries goal of being purpose & quality driven.
Outside of digital campaigns and managing budget, you can find Emily boating or spending time with her family and dog on the beach in Amagansett!
Jill Dejewski
Director of People and Culture
People are at the heart of everything we do and the People and Culture Department fosters that. Jill’s expertise in the Human Resources field comes from 24 years as an HR professional with a diverse background in food manufacturing, agriculture, and luxury transportation. Her focus has ranged from benefits, training, leadership development, compensation, diversity, employee relations, ethics and compliance, employee development and staffing management. She received her BA in Political Science and Education from University at Stony Brook along with some graduate work in Human Resources Management at NYIT. She also earned her Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) designation in 2014.
When she’s not working or attending her son’s college baseball games, Jill thrives in outdoor activities including skiing, snowmobiling, hiking and four-season camping.
Mary Massey
Events Director
A native New Yorker with over 15 years of experience in event production, Mary brings a unique blend of luxury, creativity, and hospitality to every event she touches. Her career began in the fashion industry, where she worked in-house for iconic brands such as Valentino and Cartier, designing and executing high-impact marketing events across North America.
After nearly a decade in luxury fashion, Mary discovered her true passion lay in hospitality—working closely with clients to create unforgettable milestone events. Immersing herself in New York City’s vibrant nightlife scene, she quickly became a sought-after producer of exclusive celebrity events spanning music, fashion, sports, and television.
Mary went on to join Backal Hospitality Group as Director of Events, where she managed a portfolio of premier venues and executed hundreds of events annually, including weddings, corporate functions, bar mitzvahs, charity galas, and brand activations.
In 2021, Mary made the move out East and joined the team at Wölffer Estate. As Director of Events, she leads the estate’s event program with passion and precision—collaborating with clients on every detail to ensure their vision comes to life while capturing the essence of the Wölffer brand.
Known for her warmth, dedication, and tireless commitment to excellence, Mary approaches each event as a true partnership. She is deeply invested in crafting meaningful, memorable experiences that exceed expectations and reflect the unique story of every client.
Mary lives in Southampton with her husband Carl, their son Carter, and their rescue dogs, Lincoln and Mia.