Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery in Cutchogue is home to the exclusive drive-in event for the
North Fork TV Festival on Saturday, October 17.
We recently spoke with Giovanni Borghese, Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery Co-Owner, who was forthcoming in detailing perhaps a summer like no other at the vineyard. "The situation [COVID-19] made us change our business mode of operation." Once the winery was able to safely reopen to the public, Borghese explained the enthusiasm he now has to personally lead winery tours for small groups - something he didn't do in the past. He also mentioned some new strategies the pandemic gave birth to to get Borghese wine distributed all over Long Island and out to other regions of the country, including California and Philadelphia.
As for the Festival, Borghese said, "I have had some role, large or small, in years past. I met Noah [Doyle] while he was trying to prove and promote the concept of a TV Festival. It was very simple, he came in and said, 'We are working on this concept; I've got a poster and a couple of free passes. Why don't you come down and join us at the Greenport Theatre and check it out?' I did and year two the relationship grew and I had much more involvement. Each year since Borghese has had an active role - whether it's been hosting an event here [at the winery] or contributing wine or just doing something to promote the event."
Then he expanded about this year's roll. "This year, obviously, there is a low amount of interest in people gathering at a packed theater, so the idea was proposed to have a drive-in style event at Borghese. I was thrilled, I was excited to take the opportunity to further support the Festival in this capacity. I think it's a compliment to the North Fork arts scene. Since its inception as Long Island's first-ever established vineyard, Borghese Vineyard has been a huge proponent of the arts. We will have wine available by the glass and by the bottle, our whole menu of wines will be available, I will not be limiting it in any way. We are not going to pick one red, one white and one rosé to work with. I am looking to finding a way to effectively offer the whole menu."
"The food element is featuring food prepared by Mattitaco, based in Mattituck," he added.
He went on to say that he and the whole Borghese family is delighted to partner with the North Fork TV Festival and welcome everyone to Long Island's founding vineyard.
"The big open field at the winery is perfect! Giovanni always does amazing things for the Festival. We are thankful,"
Noah Doyle, the Founder of the North Fork TV Festival, noted about the location.
Parking opens at 5:30 p.m., food goes on sale at 6:00 p.m. and the program starts at 7:00 p.m..
Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery is located at 17150 County Road 48 in Cutchogue. For more information, visit www.northfork.tv.