Cutchogue Landmark: Wine – Dinosaur – Winosaur!

Are those corks? Is that a dinosaur? Yes! It’s a Winosaur! That’s right. Coffee Pot Cellars in Cutchogue has invented a unique way to make its mark on the East End.

With over 50 wineries gracing the area’s bucolic landscape, standing out is a challenge. As the industry strives for excellence, Long Island Wine Country has become a 365-day-a-year experience, offering everything from vintage tours, trivia nights, live music series, food pairings and cooking demonstrations. If you can dream it, Long Island Wine Country is doing it! With so many unique special events, including the up-and-coming 8th annual Winterfest — Live on the Vine, a six-week event of music at the wineries, thousands of corks are being popped. Where do they all go? Into the Winosaur!

As Long Island is known for such landmarks like the Big Duck in Flanders and the Montauk Lighthouse, it makes sense that a new icon be created to represent the wine industry so cherished here on the East End. Inspired by the landscaping topiaries in Disney World, Laura Klahre, a local beekeeper, ordered the 18-foot wired structure in the shape of a dinosaur. By attaching corks from customers that have been signed, dated, decorated and even adorned with special messages, she has created a living piece of art. So far, over 750 corks have been attached making up the head of the “Winosaur.” This creation is located on the front lawn of the Coffee Pot Cellar’s wine tasting room on Main Road for all to see. To spread word of the creation, revelers can purchase a bumper sticker that says, “Build the Winosaur.”

After a winter break, Coffee Pot Cellars, which is named for the Coffee Pot Lighthouse located just off of Orient Point, reopened last week. Their portfolio consists of artisanal ultra-premium wines that reflect the landscape of the East End. They offer five varieties of wines—merlot, meritage, chardonnay, gewürztraminer and sauvignon bland. All are crafted by veteran North Fork winemaker Adam Suprenant, who realized the intoxicating combination of grapes from distinguished vineyards that offered the unique flavor of the area.

Klahre, the developer of the “Winosaur,” is also the owner of Blossom Meadow. Located inside Coffee Pot Cellar’s wine tasting room, Blossom Meadow sells raw and unfiltered honey along with products like beeswax crayons, candles, lip balm, and personal care items. All products are created from hives located on the North Fork.

Coffee Pot Cellars is one of the 20 venues participating in Winterfest — Live on the Vine, which begins on February 21. Famed local musicians Caroline Doctorow, Sara Hartman and Gene Casey will be performing on select Saturdays throughout the event. Most events cost $15. 

Coffee Pot Cellars, 31855 Main Road, Cutchogue, For more info, call 631-765-8929, or visit coffeepotcellars.com or blossommeadow.com.