Roman Roth is an esteemed winemaker, and the technical director for Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack. The proprietor and creative force behind the Grapes of Roth, Roman’s training and experience are a blend of several wine cultures spanning three continents.

Born in Rottweil, Germany to a winemaking family, his appreciation for good wine began at an early age. After traveling the world of wine, Roman began his career on the East End as winemaker at Sag Pond vineyards, then a start-up winery in the Hamptons.  “This was a winemaker’s dream~ to be part of a new and growing wine region with the chance to create something new, to leave a footprint at the grassroots level.”

Roth managed the expansion of SagPond Vineyards into “Wolffer Estate”, a fifty acre property with a state of the art winery with production of a wide range of award winning wines that embody the essence of the Hamptons appellation. Under Roth’s meticulous direction, the Estate has grown into a Hampton’s landmark producing wines of excellent caliber and reputation. Hope you enjoy Roman’s KDHamptons Diary:

KDHamptons:  How long have you been coming to/living in the Hamptons and why do you love it so much? Do you live here all year round?
Roman Roth: We came in August of 1992 to the Hamptons from Germany. The Hamptons are very special because there are not many places in the world where you can make world class wine next to wonderful beaches, have an interesting and cosmopolitan population, and all within two hours of one of the greatest cities in the world…Manhattan!

KDH:  How would you describe your Grapes of Roth wine?
RR: Besides my passion for Wolffer Estate, my wife and I created The Grapes of Roth our own private label. Our focus is on the highest quality and on very small quantities. The first vintage was made in 2001 and the wines we make are Merlot and Riesling. We have been very fortunate and received many high ratings for the wines, including 92 points from Parkers Wine Advocate and got nominated by Wine Enthusiast for American Winery of the year in 2011. The grapes are hand picked, hand sorted and vinified at Wolffer Estate under his exacting care. The result is a full bodied, luscious and yet elegant wine with character.

KDH:  How did you come up with the name for your wine?
RR: I live with my wife, Dushy and our daughter Indira in Sag Harbor. The Grapes of Roth takes its name from Steinbeck’s book which is one of my favorites, and of course, Steinbeck was also a Sag Harbor resident.

KDH:  What is your favorite Hamptons restaurant? Which restaurant do you think has the greatest wine list in the Hamptons?
RR:  We have a favorite one in every town out here! It all depends on the mood, the company and the occasion. The key is that they have a great selection of Long Island wines on the wine list, good food and a friendly staff.

KDH:  Will you describe what your perfect Hamptons day would look like?
RR:  Get up late and after a nice breakfast go for a bike ride with the family on our triples bike. Afternoon and late lunch at the beach in Sagaponack followed by a nap. Walk into Sag Harbor which is always rewarding, running into friends, having a nice drink and some appetizers in one of the bars and finish with a show at Bay Street Theater. After the show get a maple-walnut ice cream and walk home in the star lit night.

KDH:  What is the greatest part about your job? Conversely, if you could snap your fingers and instantly have another career~ what would be your fantasy job?
RR: To make wine is wonderful and very diverse. One can be (has to be) very creative, it is seasonal with slow periods and of course an extremely busy time at harvest. One works with people, it is very physical and overall it is very rewarding. My fantasy job? To be a stained glass artist or sing in the Met choir.

KDH: Do you have set plans for Hamptons winters? Travel or stay out East?
RR: Christmas always needs to be celebrated in one’s own home and up to the middle of January I love to stay in the Hamptons. Since my wife is from Australia, February is the perfect month to leave the winter behind and enjoy the end of summer in Sydney.

KDH:  Please describe your Hamptons home and style for KDHamptons readers?
RR: We have a wonderful, south facing (energy efficient) sun-filled home that has a lot of character and where we are very comfortable. We have a wonderful garden, a great dining room, a nice wine cellar and large bedrooms. What more does one need? It is only a short walk from Sag Harbor Main Street or the beach on the Bay.

KDH:  Which is your favorite season in the Hamptons and why?
RR: I love August and September. If possible a swim everyday, lots of BBQ’s in the evenings, enjoy the peace before the harvest starts.

KDH:  If you could share your wine at a Hamptons dinner party with anyone (dead or alive) who would you invite? Pick 3 people…
RR: My closest friend, Madonna and Benjamin Franklin.

KDH:  What is the trend right now in wines on the East End? Is a summer Rosé still the hot selection?
RR: Overall elegant and refined wines like the one’s of Long Island are exactly what people are looking for. They are food friendly, refreshing and light yet can be concentrated with lots of depth and character. And yes, Rosé is very hot!

KDH:  What would be your dream bottle of wine to receive? Price is no object…
RR: A Magnum of 1945 Romanee-Conti La Tache Grand Cru Monopole…..well….. make that a Methusala!

**With his growing reputation, Roth has been asked to consult and make wines for a number of well respected producers and help establish them as some of the best on the east coast. They include Martha Clara Vineyards, Roanoke Vineyards, Shinn Estate Vineyards and Cru Cellars.

*for more information go to www.thegrapesofroth.com