Our Story
It all started when…
From Naples to New York
Our journey begins with the Sannino and Vitale families, who immigrated to the United States from Italy. Francesco Sannino, from the volcanic slopes of Torre del Greco on Mount Vesuvius, met Angela Mennella, from the island of Ischia off the coast of Naples. The two married in Brooklyn, and settled in Dix Hills, where they had three children, including their middle son, Anthony Sannino.
At the same time, Carmela Pirretti from Brindisi di Montagna in the region of Basilicata, married and then had her daughter, Lisa Vitale. Lisa and Anthony met in high school, and their connection has been unbreakable ever since. Anthony’s passion for wine was inspired by his family on the island of Ischia, who taught him their traditions of home winemaking.
A Family Dream Takes Shape
The high school sweethearts tied the knot and started their family. Anthony pursued construction engineering and architecture, while Lisa, driven and dedicated, earned her MBA. They built a life together in Manorville, Long Island, raising their four children in a house Anthony constructed. On that land, Anthony planted a few vines and practiced home winemaking, sharing his creations with family and friends.
Anthony furthered his winemaking education by enrolling in a UC Davis winemaking course, back when online school was on VHS tapes. Around the same time, Lisa had always dreamed of owning a bed-and-breakfast on a farm. Though the exact vision was unclear, Anthony was committed to making it a reality, aligning it with his passion for winemaking.
Building Sannino Vineyard
In pursuit of this shared dream, Lisa and Anthony made the life-changing decision to purchase a 5-acre vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot vines in the rural town of Cutchogue, NY, in the heart of Long Island’s Wine Country. They started their passion project once they sold their Manorville home and built a new house on the vineyard property. Anthony designed and built the home to be functional as an “Agritourismo” experience with two guest rooms for Lisa’s bed-and-breakfast, as well as raising 4 children.
Once the house was completed, Lisa and Anthony began offering winemaking experiences to visitors. The entrepreneurs created a “Wine School” and educated guests on the process from grapes to bottles. Their signature "Vine to Wine" tours and Blending Classes continue to this day, inviting guests to learn about the craft of winemaking firsthand.
Expansion and Growth
As production grew, the family’s small operation expanded. They leased an historic North Fork barn in Peconic, NY transforming it into a winery and tasting room where they operated for 10 years. They developed the Sannino brand while advancing the Vine-to-Wine program, educating visitors on how to make wine.
They utilized this space until they could pursue the property in front of their home connecting to the main road. There, Anthony and Lisa cleared the woodlands and cultivated additional vineyards of 8 new varieties. Anthony designed and built a state of the art, energy efficient, architecturally unique, tasting house and wine making facility where they operate today.
The Next Generation
Today, the Sannino family business thrives with the help of their four children, each bringing their unique talents and passions to the vineyard.
Marisa S. Sannino
Lisa and Anthony’s eldest daughter, Marisa, studied business and sommelier training at Johnson and Wales University, becoming a certified Level 2 Sommelier by age 24. Marisa has grown into position of Wine Club Director and Director of Events at the Tasting House. She has been involved in every harvest since graduating and is dedicated to building the family business alongside her parents.
Miranda Sannino Turner
Their second daughter, Miranda, graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Viticulture and Enology and a minor in Italian. Now she is a Winemaking Analyst for E&J Gallo, her expertise and input has been incredibly valuable to Sannino Vineyard.
Francesco Sannino
Francesco graduated New York Maritime College in the Bronx and is working on commercial oil vessels. When not working at sea, he is involved in pushing the visions of the family business. He takes part in everything from the working in the tasting room to vineyard management and winemaking.
Ava Grace Sannino
Ava Grace Sannino, the youngest daughter, is currently an undergraduate at Cornell University, studying Viticulture and Enology with a minor in Food Science and Business. Ava is passionate about continuing the family tradition and can often be found working in the vineyard, cellar, or tasting room during her school breaks. She has also studied viticulture abroad in Spain and Italy and is eager to intern at various vineyards to bring new discoveries to the family business.
