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- [00:05]
Leslie Heaney
Hello, everybody. This is Leslie and you're listening to the interview with Leslie Heaney. This week, our summer travel series is taking us out to the Hamptons where I get to sit down with the remarkable and amazing Joy Wolfer. She's the co owner and chief brand officer of Wolfer Estate Vineyard. She took over the vineyard along with her brother and her husband back in 2013, and from there they went on to launch the now super famous and delicious. If you haven't tried it, you need to summer in a bottle. And in the episode, we talk about all of the amazing wines and work that she does at Wolfer Estate Vineyard. We also talk about all of her favorite spots in the Hamptons because she grew up on this beautiful vineyard and her enthusiasm and love for the area really shines through in this conversation. So she talks about where you should have cocktails, which would start off, of course, at her incredible vineyard. Cocktails at Sunset, but great places to go with kids, her favorite restaurants and dishes that you should order at those restaurants stores. She talks about we cover where you should go get your hair done or your nails done if you're out there for the weekend. I need to get a little refresh. She gives us the inside scoop on her favorite beaches and then we cover even how you get out there. She prefers the train and I should mention that she met her amazing husband on the platform of the train. So we cover that. But she's really funny, really smart, and her love and knowledge of this part of the world really shines through in this conversation. So after talking to Joey, I wanted to ride the rails myself out to the Hamptons and hope to be able to get out there later on this summer because she really just made it all sound so interesting and dreamy. I think you'll really enjoy this conversation. Know that I really enjoyed having it. I'm so excited about this week's sponsor, the 10 Mile Distillery. 10 Mile is an American single malt distillery based in the Hudson Valley about 90 miles north of New York. And it is the maker of the award winning Little Rest Whiskey made through a slow distillation process with all New York State grains by master distiller Shane Fraser from Scotland. And when I say award winning, I mean it's earned a 95 out at the whiskey competition in San Francisco and a 96 at the New York International Spirits Competition. This is delicious. If you do not believe me about how delicious this is, the good news for you is that if you're in the New York area, you can go visit this incredible and beautiful distillery yourself. And it's set among the most beautiful apple orchard with beautiful views of the mountains behind. Stop by for a leisurely tour or tasting or even enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail. They also have gin and vodka available. They also have this incredibly delicious Thai restaurant that is in residence there from Thursday through Sunday. To learn more about the distillery, you can visit them@tenmile distillery.com theinterview. All orders will receive 10% off if you put a promo code the interview at checkout. So go to www.tenmiledistillery.com theinterview to get that discount, that 10% off. I promise you, you will not be disappointed. All right, so, Joey, I'm so happy to see you. Thank you so much for coming on the podcast. For background, Joey was. I interrupted Joey in the middle of a workout. So she's.
- [03:40]
Joy Wolfer
You're not supposed to out me. It's so.
- [03:44]
Leslie Heaney
No, listen, I mean, I think it's like, you know, this is what I. By the way, I give you a lot of credit for starting your day in that way. I mean, I got to get on your train because I'm on the. I'm on the summer in the bottle train and the cheese not on the morning train.
- [03:59]
Joy Wolfer
I'm on the balance train summer to bottle plus workout.
- [04:04]
Leslie Heaney
Which is probably why I actually, I'm going away this weekend and I. We were in Millbrook, we came up from Nashville, and I realized I don't fit into half of the things that I brought because of what I've been up to for the past six weeks. So I actually just bought things. Anyway, we could go off piece. But I. But before we get to, like, hearing all of your favorite spots in the Hamptons, I want to kind of talk about how you have grown Wolfer Estate vineyard into a real juggernaut with your summer in the bottle, among all the other things. And that not only is delicious, but the bottle is so, like, gorgeous. And you want to drink it because you love looking at it. How did that come about?
- [04:47]
Joy Wolfer
I think it's like the gift of not having known much about the industry when we entered because, you know, whilst my brother had some kind of inkling and like some kind of dipping in it. In it. None of us really had worked in wine and obviously, except for Roman, who's been our winemaker for 33 years now. But, you know, when we first took over, my friends just said, Joey, like wolfer, wolfer, summer in a bottle. And I was like, oh, I like that. Like, I really like that somebody said.
- [05:15]
Leslie Heaney
That to you, just kind of like. Because how much they love the vineyards, it encapsulates that.
- [05:19]
Joy Wolfer
It was summer, like that summer. So then we had met this designer, just like for the quick story through my husband's work at the time. And I sat with him in England and I told him everything about my family and about sort of what the Hamptons had been at a certain time, which was like this creative hub for writers, artists, actors, models. It just was this incredible place where Truman Capote, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, you know, they were all hanging out here. And it was this very bohemian spirit. And so we went through this and he came up with this beautiful ad which was just an entire bottle of flowers and said wolfer on it and you know, wolfer making summer memories or something like that. Yeah, I actually found the ad the other day because I thought it was so cool.
- [06:07]
Leslie Heaney
So that was sort of a mock up ad that he gave you?
- [06:09]
Joy Wolfer
No, it was just an ad.
- [06:10]
Leslie Heaney
It was an ad.
- [06:11]
Joy Wolfer
And then Roman was the one who was like, you know, Roman is so amazing because even after 33 years, he is always creating. He's not tired of his, you know, of, of the work. He just gets. So he's continues to be inspired. But he had said to us, like, what if we made this into a bottle? We were like, that's kind of cool. Like, how are we going to do that? And so anyway, with the designer, we created the first summer in a bottle, which was just. We were like, let's just test it. And we made 1500 cases and they sold out in three weeks. So then we were like, okay, you know, let's think about that, you know, and obviously now, 10 years later, and we're, you know, now it's a hundred thousand cases, you know, so it's really exciting to see the growth.
- [06:52]
Leslie Heaney
That is incredible. That is incredible.
- [06:55]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, it's, you know, it's such an amazing team. You know, of course there are struggles because there are always struggles, right? With business and whether it's family or not. But I would say that we all bring such a different skill set to the team. And that has really been what has kept us going. And the fact that we don't answer to a board, really don't run anything by anyone but ourselves. So when we try things and we have a test kitchen because we have the winery, right? So if we say, let's try this at the winery, see, can make a small run and then it. Okay, I think that's working, you know, So I think that that really was the. And the timing. I mean, Rose was really kind of happening at that time. It was us and Whispering angel in the Hamptons that were dominating the market. And they had that article that came out that was like the Hamptons were running dangerously low on Rose, which you probably don't remember, but of course, it's been a pinnacle point in our. In our career. And that went viral, like Coldplay. I mean, literally, it was like, in Daily News. It was in the Post. It was all over the country, you know, and obviously not in social media, but in the. In the kind of, like, general way. And then I don't. I think from there, we really became like, pioneers of. And we had been, because Roman and my dad started Rose, made their first in 92.
- [08:11]
Leslie Heaney
That's amazing. And when you say we can, you mean you and your brother, right?
- [08:15]
Joy Wolfer
Me, my brother, my husband, who's the CEO.
- [08:17]
Leslie Heaney
Right.
- [08:17]
Joy Wolfer
And Roman, who's a partner and the winemaker. You know, so it's a. It's. Listen, I'm the only woman on it, and so sometimes I have to kick and scream, which I don't like doing, but it is a very good group.
- [08:29]
Leslie Heaney
So you're balancing that and, like, all of that, like, creating that, being in the kitchen, doing all the work that you do with Walmart, being a really accomplished equestrian, and then having, like, the other job that we all as women have to sort of run the show, even if we have very involved spouses, which is the moment.
- [08:51]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah.
- [08:52]
Leslie Heaney
The mom llc.
- [08:53]
Joy Wolfer
Yes.
- [08:54]
Leslie Heaney
How are you finding that? What are the.
- [08:56]
Joy Wolfer
Well, I also have my own brand as well, so I make a line of small collection, but I, you know, I had a store for 13. A couple stores, and I have a clothing brand where I like, kind of mix old vintage fabrics or dead stock with new fabrics to just keep reusing so that there's no waste. And that's called Joey Wolfer reworked. So that's my baby. I like to have my own thing because I am creative. And, you know, I was a jewelry designer for years, so, yeah, I didn't want to step immediately away from. From that, even though, you know, this is becoming more demanding because we are now going into chains across the country. You know, we just. We're growing our business in Whole Foods and Trader Joe's and Harris Teeter now. And so, like, we. That's a whole nother side of the business that's just really starting to grow, you know.
- [09:40]
Leslie Heaney
So how are you traditionally? So when you were selling all those cases, was that out of the vineyard. And then you would use the direct mail kind of people.
- [09:48]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, we have a website that's successful, and then, you know, there's big. Like, Trader Joe's are our biggest customer. And then total wine. Like, there's a lot of places that you can kind of go and buy it. And basically, I mean, we're probably going to be in Allstate soon, but we're in about 4040 right now.
- [10:04]
Leslie Heaney
My God, Joy, that's so awesome.
- [10:06]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, it's, you know, it's. It's really nice to see and. It's really nice to see it and people's reaction to it. Like, I think, you know, for example, in the places that really make sense, like Texas, you know, I remember I was there, I was, like, staying at a hotel for an event, and, like, the lady who gave me a facial was like, oh, my God, I love that wine. I just bought it for a friend, and she's like, first I bought it for the bottle, and then I bought it. Because I love the wine, too. Yeah. And so that's, like, so nice to hear.
- [10:33]
Leslie Heaney
And again, that is the piece of it, though, right? Is that it? So the wine is delicious, but the bottle itself is so beautiful that you would. You want it on the table. It's part of, you know, or emotion.
- [10:46]
Joy Wolfer
I think, for people. People feel really connected to it, which is, like, the whole thing about being a family brand and having authenticity is like, it's not, like, tied to some big factory or like. Or no name or somebody who just created it, you know, like, it's a family. It's a place. It has history. It reminds you of summer, you know, in such a nice, authentic way. So that. That's been kind of like the ha. The nice thing to see.
- [11:13]
Leslie Heaney
So you grew up on the farm where the vineyard is. Right. And at that part of Bridgehampton. And so you just mentioned, as you're just talking about how it evokes, like, memories and feeling of family and summer. What is the Hamptons for you kind of being there? What is that whole sort of your vineyard, the community? What does it sort of mean to you? Or what's your favorite thing about it?
- [11:37]
Joy Wolfer
You know, it's really been interesting to evolve. I've seen it evolve over the years, too, and not always a nice way. Right. Like, there's so many pop cultures, and that's because we. Nobody can afford to have a business year round. You know, a lot of these stores can't, including my own, you know, couldn't afford to have a Story all year round. So you kind of lost the boutique of it. But what. For me, it's like the light, the beach, the farm, like, because, you know, we ride. My. My kid girls and I ride together and my friends who. Who live here and who come out on the sub in the weekend in the summer and on the weekends, it's. It's a really special place. I think it gets crazy in the summer, and I find myself sometimes just being like, this is too much. You know, it's just too much of everything. But there are so many months here that are so magical, you know? So it's. It's a really special place. I don't think there's any place in the world like it, truly.
- [12:27]
Leslie Heaney
So. Okay, so for people that are not familiar with the Hamptons or want to go visit the Hamptons and.
- [12:33]
Joy Wolfer
Yes.
- [12:34]
Leslie Heaney
Experience this. Right. What is your. Like, people are coming out. Maybe they're taking the jitney or they're driving or whatever they're doing.
- [12:41]
Joy Wolfer
They should take the train.
- [12:42]
Leslie Heaney
That's what I was going. So getting out there, what size they should take.
- [12:45]
Joy Wolfer
You should definitely take a train.
- [12:47]
Leslie Heaney
Where do you get off? What's the.
- [12:49]
Joy Wolfer
So I do it, like, now that I have to go to the city a bit more, and I like to be able to get home because for the girls and everything, I actually drive to Ronkonkoma, and then I. Then there's a train every 15 minutes, and that's an hour from here. So then I have my car there, and I can come in and out of the city as much as I want. Because I think it's like, the worst parts are just when you get near the city. For me, in the summer, there's trains, like, every couple hours directly to the Hamptons. Okay.
- [13:14]
Leslie Heaney
So you get off the train. You've got your roller bag.
- [13:16]
Joy Wolfer
Got my roller bag. You know, I met on the train, too, so. What's that? I met my husband on the train on the Long Island.
- [13:24]
Leslie Heaney
Stop it. Stop it.
- [13:24]
Joy Wolfer
On the planet. On the platform in Jamaica Station.
- [13:27]
Leslie Heaney
No, he did not.
- [13:29]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, we were like. Of course we had flip phones, so no one was looking at their phone. Right. We were, like, sort of looking at each other. And he smiled at me because he's 65 and I'm 5 11, and he's smiling at me, and I'm, like, looking around at all the short people around, right?
- [13:44]
Leslie Heaney
Yes. You're like, look at Laputians here. It's just the two of us are like, yeah, yeah. And then.
- [13:52]
Joy Wolfer
And I'm like, he's like, are you going to the beach? And I was like, yeah, so is every single other person on this train. And he was like, ooh. And then. Okay, I'm a little spicy. So I felt guilty. And then we ended up taking the train out together and had so much in common. And here we are 17 years later.
- [14:09]
Leslie Heaney
18 years.
- [14:10]
Joy Wolfer
17 years together. Yeah.
- [14:12]
Leslie Heaney
Oh my gosh.
- [14:13]
Joy Wolfer
I know.
- [14:14]
Leslie Heaney
So awesome. I love that.
- [14:15]
Joy Wolfer
Good.
- [14:16]
Leslie Heaney
Yeah. Yeah, it's. That is important. The liking piece is important.
- [14:20]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah.
- [14:21]
Leslie Heaney
With, with the spouse thing.
- [14:22]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah. Well, we had a week with my.
- [14:25]
Leslie Heaney
We did.
- [14:25]
Joy Wolfer
We just did a work trip together for four days. We went to Charlotte, North Carolina. Then we, like took a 4am flight to Detroit that then connected to LA, had a huge meeting and like did this whole whirlwind trip together. Came home and our kids are with my mom in Colorado. So it's really weird. We've had a whole weekend without kids. It's been sad, but also like nice, you know. And then we're sort of looking at each other and we're like, I kind of like you.
- [14:50]
Leslie Heaney
Exactly. All right, so you got your roller bag. Maybe you might meet someone on the train. Maybe you might, you know, have a.
- [14:56]
Joy Wolfer
You might meet your future husband. You might, yeah, you might have the.
- [14:59]
Leslie Heaney
Joey experience, which would be very exciting. But you get off and where would you tell people to stay? Like, what are your favorite places besides maybe staying with a friend or hotels or.
- [15:10]
Joy Wolfer
Well, and it's, you know, with Airbnb now, it's risky. Like you just don't know what you're going to get. And it's so hard to connect, you know, with the people and I don't really think they allow them for like short term stay. So I, you know, some of my favorite hotels, of course, now Sarah Wendell's good friends of the Hedges that she just opened, which is great. I really like the Maidstone too. I mean, it's nice to be in a town like in like topping Rose. You can walk into town. It's nice if you're not going to be at the beach to be able to like sort of walk in. And then I think for a kind of a cool, authentic Montauk vibe, I would say at the Crow's Nest. Maybe not as fancy, but it's like so beautiful and so special.
- [15:47]
Leslie Heaney
There's a place in Southampton. It's like a little inn. It's right in town. We stayed there for a wedding. But this is like I should know years ago.
- [15:56]
Joy Wolfer
I have to say. I shouldn't admit this, but I don't know as much. There's the thing about Southampton is that it's always changing. You know, the stores are changing, the. Everything is always changing. Okay. The hotel's been there for a while, but it's always changing. So there's not, like a feeling as much for me as this is a town. This is where we are. Like, Sag harbor has so much soul. Right. So you could stay at the American hotel, too, to have a real Hamptons experience.
- [16:19]
Leslie Heaney
Okay.
- [16:19]
Joy Wolfer
But I'm probably more inclined to stay there in, like, the fall.
- [16:22]
Leslie Heaney
You know, if you're staying at the place and you can't kind of walk to town, obviously, there's Ubers and stuff like that.
- [16:29]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, of course.
- [16:30]
Leslie Heaney
Yeah.
- [16:31]
Joy Wolfer
But the nice thing about being in a town is that you then. Then can walk to dinner and, you know, walk for a drink, and so it's not. And actually, from, like, the hedges, you could probably walk to the beach, too. Not very far, but you could walk to the beach.
- [16:42]
Leslie Heaney
So restaurants, place for cocktails, obviously. Going to visiting the vineyard, which we need to talk about. What? You know what.
- [16:49]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, I mean, that's like, the ultimate because it's like, small plates, share plates, wine. I mean, the perfect sunset. You know, like, they're hard to beat that. So that'd be my number one place to go for breakfast appetizers. And then I love tutto il giorno. And they're good friends of mine. And honestly, it's just got such a good. It's got good energy, great food, great drinks. Sen for sushi. Love Send. I really like Duria's just for, like, a totally different Hamptons experience on the water. I really like the one in Orient Point, actually, a lot.
- [17:25]
Leslie Heaney
What is it, like, seafood or what's the.
- [17:27]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, like, they have lobster, cobb salad. That is, like, just out of this world. So good.
- [17:33]
Leslie Heaney
What about, like, you like a breakfast greasy spoon?
- [17:36]
Joy Wolfer
You.
- [17:36]
Leslie Heaney
You came in, you rode the rails. You're on the train.
- [17:39]
Joy Wolfer
Also, one more. The Beacon and the Beacon and Bell and Anchor are, like, probably the best. They have the best bouillabaisse ever. And that's, like, one of my favorite dishes. Those two. A quick breakfast spot. I think that Sagtown has a really good breakfast, I have to say. And SD as SDS is my new, like, number one. They have this thing called A's Pop, which is like a healthy egg white quinoa kind of Mexican bowl that is so delicious.
- [18:04]
Leslie Heaney
Sounds really, really good.
- [18:05]
Joy Wolfer
So good and so healthy.
- [18:07]
Leslie Heaney
What about coffee? Like, you're waking up, you've had A big night. You're, you know, you went out, you did something.
- [18:13]
Joy Wolfer
Brian Stone is the. Has the best coffee. Okay. But I don't eat donuts. Not because I'm so healthy and so skinny, but because I don't like donuts. But they have less coffee for sure.
- [18:24]
Leslie Heaney
But they, they have donuts too, if you're a donut.
- [18:26]
Joy Wolfer
Oh, yeah, they're known for their donuts. I actually think their coffee is like a. It's like a sleeper hit.
- [18:31]
Leslie Heaney
Okay, good. Excellent. And then lunch spots, like, I would go.
- [18:36]
Joy Wolfer
I would say, like, for sure. Sd I think honestly, like Duria's or Bill Bouquet has like the best sort of on the water spots for some, like a fresh, you know, some oysters and a salad or something. And then Chris says, I really like some of their lunch to go.
- [18:53]
Leslie Heaney
What about prepared food places?
- [18:55]
Joy Wolfer
To be honest, they call it loans and finances too, but Loaves and Fishes is my favorite. And to be honest, everything out here is so insane now that, that it. It's like a real favorite of mine. Loaves and Fishes, they have just really good prepared salads. Not overly greasy food. Like just to the best deviled egg in town. I love this breaded chicken they have. I. That's probably my favorite.
- [19:19]
Leslie Heaney
And then cocktails, obviously, going to the Vineyard is like a favorite spot. What about, like, do you go. You mentioned that you like to. Sometimes you make your own lunch. Are there like farmers markets or markets that you love to go?
- [19:30]
Joy Wolfer
I go to Sering Green, which is really near our house, our Noyak Road. I love their place. They have a little. They have got great prepared food, but also like, you know, the best vegetables, best fruit. I really like the. The woman who owns it. And the garden is right behind. So you're not like being fooled either, you know.
- [19:47]
Leslie Heaney
Oh, that's kind of. See exactly what was my favorite.
- [19:50]
Joy Wolfer
But I. I just passed it yesterday and didn't see it open, so I don't know which is another farmer's market. Yeah, it's a farmer. It's like a farm stand on Sag Road.
- [19:59]
Leslie Heaney
Okay. All right. So shops, like talk shops. I mean, there's a lot, obviously.
- [20:06]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah. I mean, I have to say that the shop that I have my little pop up in right now, Sage and Madison, is probably like one of the most special shops out here. Chris has like an amazing assortment of home and textiles, and it's really authentic and it's a tight. It's a cool little house. And then he always has like, like a kind of a. A changing brand in the front that. That's like kind of really interesting brands. And he's always there and he's really supportive of the community. And he's got a beautiful garden where you can kind of sit and have coffee and then shop. So that. That's probably the most special store here. And then I love Lazy Point and Amagansett and warm for like boutique feeling. I like, love adorned for sort of art objects and earrings and just like little gifty things. And then there's a shop called Nell's Flower Shop or Beth. Sorry, Beth's Flower Shop in. And again. So that's like a favorite of mine for sort of tabletop and flowers.
- [21:00]
Leslie Heaney
Would that be. Would best be a place, like if you were going to someone for dinner or you were a house guest, would you go there for.
- [21:05]
Joy Wolfer
To get sage in Madison? Because it's like really cool. Like, I just got a whale butter dish from him, like, which I just like, absolutely love, you know? Yeah. Quirky. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [21:18]
Leslie Heaney
So beaches. Best beaches or walks?
- [21:23]
Joy Wolfer
I. I kind of don't want to tell you.
- [21:25]
Leslie Heaney
Yeah, this is. I interviewed somebody for Nantucket and she's like. I mean, it was really. It's like, it's a real reveal. Is it a secret spot? I mean, I.
- [21:34]
Joy Wolfer
No, you know what? The road is such a nightmare that I think it. Your people won't want to go on it anyway. But it's called Peter's Pond. I like it. Like, I went yesterday and it was probably the most. One of the most beautiful beach afternoons. And it was like Max and me and 10 people. So it's like not a lot of people go there, which is why I love it. And then I used to love Townline, but they took our. We have a Southampton residence place and they. They now own the East Hampton. So that was a favorite. And I grew up going to Gibson Beach. So it kind of depends on what you want, you know, if you want. Like, I would say Sag Main is like the most social beach. I personally don't like to be social at the beach because I feel like I'm social too much in my life, so. And then we take our kids to Long beach because they're still little. And I mean, they're not little in size, but they're little in age and ability. And I feel like they can spend the whole day in the water there. Whereas at the big beach, I really. You have to be really respectful of the waves.
- [22:32]
Leslie Heaney
And there are more lifeguards out. Are there lifeguards?
- [22:34]
Joy Wolfer
Not all of the beaches. And that's the thing. Like especially like out here in the Atlantic, it's like the riptides are serious. You surround those at all. You know. And I have a deep respect for the ocean. I've been growing up out here and you know, my dad would have us go in the water and I remember a time when I like was. Could not get out. You know, when you're. The waves are like, yeah, yeah, get up. I just feel like I have such a respect for it. And so if we go like we go, we go in with them, you know, we're watching them. I just, I just, I'm like, I'm a little cautious about it, that's all.
- [23:05]
Leslie Heaney
Yeah, no, I mean we have to be. And there's always like these horrible. Can you easily park there or should you Uber there?
- [23:11]
Joy Wolfer
I mean if I was coming for the weekend I would uber there because. Or bike. You know, I would say that it's not, they're not forgiving with tickets and it's worth to just go in an Uber and not be stressed out.
- [23:24]
Leslie Heaney
10 Mile Distillery has a new collectible series of whiskeys. So it's still their delicious award winning whiskey, but it's bottled in what they're calling the revolutionary series which honors the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. It's a limited collection. Three bottles have been released so far and there are just two that are still available. I guess one of them must have sold out. They'll eventually have a total of 57 whiskeys in this collection honoring key battles and figures from America's fight for independence. Each of these bottles not only tells a story, but they're also incredibly handsome. I have some myself. They're historic, they're extremely patriotic and of course their contents are worthy of the founding fathers themselves. So this is the perfect thing for your bar or perfect gift for any host this summer. So to order yours, visit www.tenmiledistillery.com. that's www.Tenmiledistillery.com and don't forget to use the interview promo code at checkout for your 10% off. So I mentioned this to you when we started that I have to. You can probably clearly see this from my video here. Is that I need to get, I need some, some, some beauty services to be done. I'm looking to get my nails done. I gotta get my hair done. I've got all kinds of. Okay, Google things that have to take place. So if you were going out for the weekend, right, you needed to get your phone out or you wanted to get. Okay, you got it all clipped. What's, what's your spot? What's your.
- [24:58]
Joy Wolfer
So I think Shushugi Vaughan House in Watermelon is like the best for like a massage, cold plunge, you know what the, the really cool sauna, the red light sauna and just like a great yoga class. Like that would be like my like for like peaceful self care. They do great facials there as well. And then for my. I get my hair blown out at Salon Xavier in Sag Harbor. He's just a local guy and has a really nice salon. And then I get my nails done at place called. It's very direct, beautiful nails in Britain and it's run by this like incredible Ecuadorian woman and her family and she owns it and she's just such a badass. So I love supporting her and she's. They're the best for sure the best manicure and pedicure out here.
- [25:44]
Leslie Heaney
So when you said yoga class, it reminded me. Is there like. I'm sure every summer there's a new thing, but any exercise class, I mean.
- [25:52]
Joy Wolfer
Post House is like my favorite. I can't say that I love it in the summer because it's crazy. But we have, we have like a really nice group that work out there all the time, all year long. And it's just five minutes from my house, so it's like pretty special for me. But it's a beautiful studio and they offer sort of all different kind of classes which I think is so good, you know, like butt classes, you know, band classes, HIIT training, Pilates, so a little bit of everything. And I still like hit up a soul cycle once a week because I.
- [26:24]
Leslie Heaney
Like dancing and that is a soul cycle in like.
- [26:28]
Joy Wolfer
And there's a. They're in Bridgehampton and East Hampton and Montauk, I believe.
- [26:31]
Leslie Heaney
Okay. All right, so what about summer like events or summer traditions?
- [26:37]
Joy Wolfer
I would say to be honest, Sunset Friday at Wolfer is like something or Sunset Friday or Saturday at Wolfer is like something that people with children like kind of get excited for because it's again the most perfect sunset. And every Friday and Saturday from five to sort of nine, we have live music and it's just the most fun and kids love it and they run around and the parents, you know, drink wine and there's security so that everybody's safe and it's just a wonderful experience. And I think it has become a tradition for a lot of young families. The fall is big for sort of traditional things. Summer is Like, I think beach dinners for us, for example, we have a group that's called, like, the Long Beach Group. And everybody texts like, okay, we're gonna go have dinner for long at Long beach tonight. Because again, the sun sets on this side and it's. The kids swim at sunset. It's absolutely beautiful.
- [27:29]
Leslie Heaney
And you'll, like, bring food from fishes.
- [27:33]
Joy Wolfer
Like, for that, I always. I go to Harbor Market. Cause I love their lobster rolls and the kids love their chicken fingers and they have great fish tacos, too.
- [27:42]
Leslie Heaney
What about surfing? You made me think of it. I want to ask. Surfing. And then I also want to ask other kid things.
- [27:46]
Joy Wolfer
Judging by my statement about my fear of waves, do you think that I spend a lot of time surfing?
- [27:52]
Leslie Heaney
I know that you.
- [27:53]
Joy Wolfer
I will jump a meter 60 on a horse, but I will not. I have an unreasonable fear of sharks. Probably because I lived next to the Ray Roy Scheider, who was the sheriff in Jaws.
- [28:09]
Leslie Heaney
Yes.
- [28:10]
Joy Wolfer
Do you know what I mean? So I really like.
- [28:12]
Leslie Heaney
Yeah. I'm interviewing Wendy Benchley on. On Wednesday, and I can't wait. I mean, I'm. I got. I get scared being in a pool. So you're, you know, you're. You're in good company.
- [28:21]
Joy Wolfer
I'm in good company. Yeah. But. Yeah, but I. I think that Montauk has, like. Some of. I think that people go out there mostly to surf. Obviously. They're surfing on our beaches here. It's just. It's just like. There's, like, areas where people are, like, just specifically surfing out there. And it's to the end of the end of the point. But I'm not. I will not sit here and tell you I have a freaking clue.
- [28:44]
Leslie Heaney
So. Kids stuff, though. Kid stuff you like, that's in your wheelhouse, obviously.
- [28:48]
Joy Wolfer
My wheelhouse.
- [28:49]
Leslie Heaney
You've got the summer. Summer, you know, the. The evenings on Friday and Saturdays at Wolf and then, like, other, like, spots for kids. What about, like, an ice cream place or. Or anything?
- [29:00]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, no, I love. There's a store called Sundays in Bridgehampton that has, for me, has the best ice cream, best toppings. I think for me, ice cream is a vehicle for toppings. So I think I really judge places by toppings. And I think that is best happens. Mash Ash Amua park is like, such a great playground. My kids go to art camp at the parish, and I absolutely love it. Parish Art Museum. And then they just did a film festival camp, which was really fun. That was a week long. There's just so much to do outdoors, too. Pony camps. And you Know, I think that this is an amazing place to be a kid because again, you have the beaches everywhere. You've got friends around. Like, we live in a neighborhood of like a ton of friends, so we can kind of go to each other's houses. But I think for kids, there's never there. It's pretty kid friendly. Probably not as much as Nantucket, but it is pretty, pretty kid friendly.
- [29:52]
Leslie Heaney
So any other secrets or, like, experiences or things that you can't miss if you were to visit that you. You can't miss, And I don't know what they would be. I don't know what they would be.
- [30:03]
Joy Wolfer
You can't miss the winery, obviously.
- [30:04]
Leslie Heaney
Right.
- [30:04]
Joy Wolfer
I don't think you can miss. I really don't think you can miss the sunset at Long Beach. I think it's like, pretty spectacular. You have to go for, you know, Friday or Saturday night at the winery, at the wine stand. You have to go for a tasting at the winery. Of course, I think you have to get the Cobb salad at Duria's. Listen, it's a luxury, but if you can go on a boat, it's so spectacular here because what always surprises me, and honestly, again, I enjoy it more in the fall when I can kind of drive around. But it's just like the difference in the landscapes. You know, you go from Hampton Potato Fields to Southampton, where it's a little bit more like, like, like fancy and big mansions. And then you have sort of the, you know, the beaches of Montauk that are rough and cool, like beach trailer parks. And it's just so vast and different. And there's so many, like, protected preserves. In my house. We're like. We overlook an 85 acre preserve, so there are areas that are protected and beautiful. And Shelter island, one of my favorite walks, is over there. And you don't want to do it in the summer because it ticks, but in the fall, it's absolutely beautiful.
- [31:09]
Leslie Heaney
So we talked, you know, a little bit of that, getting about the beginning about the vineyard and like your expansion, you know, kind of 40 states and all these different supermarkets. What's next? I mean, obviously that's sort of on the horizon, but yeah, I mean, I.
- [31:23]
Joy Wolfer
Think it's continuing to, like, you know, we. We have some serious quality wines too, you know, so that at the same time that we're going that route, you know, we're really focused on quality. That's like something that really separates us from a lot of these celebrity brands, and that is that, you know, it's. It's made By Roman. It's not made by a third party. I think it's, you know, we're really lucky to be diverse, making some production in Germany, some production in. In France, production here. Obviously, the world is changing, the weather is changing. I don't know where you are, but we had like a rainstorm that was like the other yesterday. So I think it's good. We're. That we're diversified in that, you know, we'll continue to make small products that are really important for quality and for, you know, we just got serious scores on some of our reds, like our more important reds from James Suckling. So, you know, that's a real focus on one end and being in some great restaurants. And again, having the winery be a really authentic experience that speaks to the wolfer name. But at the same time, you know, we have spring in a bottle, which is our non alpine, and we have a Blanc to Blanc as well. And then we have summer in a bottle that are really, like, kind of going national and international now. You know, especially in my role in marketing, it's balancing both, right? It's speaking about the family story and about authenticity and quality, but also, you know, speaking to different types of customers, right, which in different regions. Like, for example, California is 70% Latina, you know, Latinos. So I think, you know, it's speaking to different markets. Like, I'm finding my role to be more becoming, really interesting in that respect, you know. How do you speak? We are still very small. I mean, I think that. I'm trying to think, but I think Whispering angel makes over a million cases. You know, we're talking. We're talking tiny compared to that, for example.
- [33:08]
Leslie Heaney
But it also makes it very special. Right?
- [33:10]
Joy Wolfer
Exactly. And it is special, and it will remain special regardless. And that's why we have, like, we just launched a Sauvignon Blanc for summoner model from the Loire. We already have a New York one that's absolutely stunning. And that. That's been a really interesting wine for us. And again, like, all these different opportunities within the summer in a bottle brand are really exciting. But at the same time, the White Horse wines are really special. Like our pearl Chardonnay is just. I don't. Even if you don't like Chardonnay, it's a beautiful wine. It's not oaky. It's just delicious. So there's some serious wines that Roman continues to work on and that, you know, that's. As an artist, you have to do that too. So we'll always be launching new products. We Just launched Hampton's light, which is 7% wine. So like venturing into the low elk world, which is a really. It's a new space because it's, it's like people don't necessarily want to not drink, but they want to be able to do things while they as well.
- [34:05]
Leslie Heaney
You know, you say that again. It's called low alt. Is it like low alcohol?
- [34:09]
Joy Wolfer
It's low elk. Yep. Low elk. It's called Hampton's Light and it's a 7% wine, so it's half alcohol removed.
- [34:17]
Leslie Heaney
Okay. So it's almost like having a spritzer in a way.
- [34:20]
Joy Wolfer
It is, it is. I, I would say it's like it has like a sort of a, A sweeter profile, but it's the lovely wine.
- [34:27]
Leslie Heaney
So I want, you know, you just said something I think is really interesting about how, you know, the wine industry itself may kind of change, you know, in terms of, you know, certain countries that have always been known or known for production based on sort of the weird weather that we've been having. Well, it's such a. Globally, like, globally, not just, you know. Oh, yeah, do you take grape and you're saying like Germany, France, and then you, you manufacture?
- [34:53]
Joy Wolfer
No, we make it there or you make it there? We make it there. Yeah, we make it there and we have really good partners there. The French One is this 11th generation family.
- [35:02]
Leslie Heaney
So.
- [35:02]
Joy Wolfer
And then the, the, the Loire one is also a family owned business, brother, sister in Germany. You know, my brother is. Lives in Germany. He's. My dad was German and he spent time in Europe. So that's also been really good because he's very good at finding like they're very ahead of trends. For example, like, we launched our no Elk wine way before anyone did. And that's been really amazing to be on sort of the cutting edge of that. And now this Low Elk one is, you know, there's a couple brands that have it, but not that many.
- [35:32]
Leslie Heaney
I love that. I love that you're. It's interesting like sort of how the wine industry will be adapting to kind of people's.
- [35:38]
Joy Wolfer
We have to. Right. Like, I would say that there are a lot of, of these old schools. Wineries are just, they're. They're not able to kind of come up with the times and what people want, you know, and I think you have to be aware. Obviously you don't want to just follow at what everyone else does, but I think you just have to be aware in any industry. You have to be aware.
- [35:55]
Leslie Heaney
Yeah. You know, I'm now That I'm on Instagram, I get into these real K holes of reels, of course. And it was. I don't know if it was Jobs or Warren, but one of these. One of those sort of was saying that, like, that's what we. You need to, in a business, be thinking ahead about what's next rather than sort of focusing on the great things that you do. Well, always do those things, but, you know, kind of look to see where things are evolving.
- [36:17]
Joy Wolfer
Well, especially in a world that has so much at their fingertips. Like, you know, it's different when we didn't have everything at our fingertips at all times.
- [36:25]
Leslie Heaney
That's interesting. So what's next for you? Like, what is you personally? You've got your.
- [36:30]
Joy Wolfer
Tell me about it. I have no freaking clue. No, I'm just kidding.
- [36:34]
Leslie Heaney
Well, maybe like a shower after.
- [36:36]
Joy Wolfer
Yeah, well, a shower after. I was drenched in sweat, dried. You know, I have a real issue with that, with what's next, because I'm always like, am I not doing enough? Am I not doing enough? But I will say, like, I would say rather than. Than doing more, I'm trying to do less. Better.
- [36:55]
Leslie Heaney
Yeah.
- [36:55]
Joy Wolfer
Sense. Like, I'm involved in quite a few extracurricular, like, boards, and I have realized, like, I might step back from some and put more, more. More like, energy into the others and then, you know, really, like, figuring out what the fashion part, like, what is that for me? Do I. Yeah. You know, and that. That's something that I really have to look at because I also, like, My kids are 7 and almost 10, and I don't really want to miss this too much, you know, so by keeping myself too busy and not focused, I end up just a little bit stretched. Especially, like, okay, when I was in my 20s and 30s, like early 30s with babies, and I wanted to get out of the freaking house, but now I want to hang out with them a bit more, you know, and then I'm really, like, into my writing. So, like, I do a lot I'd like to do. Continue to do it, but. But do it better. So that was my goal for myself. I work with an executive coach, and she's like half therapist, half coach. And. And we work through that a lot.
- [37:56]
Leslie Heaney
You know, I've thought about getting one of the. I have a friend who also used one. It was, like, very effective and kind of.
- [38:02]
Joy Wolfer
I went off and then I. Now I see her once a month. I think it's very important to connect.
- [38:07]
Leslie Heaney
It's also good to check in and have someone kind of tracking the Goals that you're setting for yourself because then you sort of. It's almost like having, I don't know, there's a deliverable to someone other than yourself, which.
- [38:18]
Joy Wolfer
Absolutely. And she, like, allows me to say all the crazy things that I'm thinking without me having to say it to my husband, which, again, that's challenging to work with your husband, you know, and then raise kids with your husband, which is also a job, you know. So I find that I need another source of, of like, can I, can I run this by you?
- [38:38]
Leslie Heaney
Yeah. So Sage and Madison, if I get to come out, I'm. I'm going to come and visit some friends in August at some point once.
- [38:44]
Joy Wolfer
You good? Yeah. It's on Sage and the corner of Sage and Madison Street. Oh, yeah.
- [38:51]
Leslie Heaney
Oh, look at that.
- [38:53]
Joy Wolfer
You know, it doesn't take a brand.
- [38:58]
Leslie Heaney
Oh, but Joey, thank you so much. So happy to see you.
- [39:00]
Joy Wolfer
Thank you so much.
- [39:01]
Leslie Heaney
Appreciate it. Thank you.
- [39:02]
Joy Wolfer
All right, thank you. Okay, bye.
- [39:06]
Leslie Heaney
That brings us to the end of this episode of the interview. A huge, huge thank you to Joey Wolfer. I loved spending time with Joey. She's hilarious and I learned so much about her neck of the woods. I can't wait to come out to visit the vineyard and visit all the incredible spots that she shared. So really appreciate her taking the time to be on the podcast. Also a big shout out to our sponsor, 10 Mile Distillery. You must visit 10 Miles website to see all of their incredible spirits. They're delicious. Delicious and award winning and beautiful bottle, I should add little rest, whiskey and all of their other amazing spirits that they offer. And it's also a great place to visit and a place to have dinner if you're ever up in the Hudson Valley. So be sure to check out their website. Don't forget that at checkout you get 10% off if you put in the promo code the interview. So be sure to take advantage of that. And as also, thank you all so much for listening. I really appreciate you following the POD and all of your support. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate or review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It really means a lot. And on Friday we have another episode coming out in our summer series featuring Lila Rose and her hometown of Jackson, Wyoming. That was a great episode. And next week we are releasing an episode with Wendy Benchley, who is Peter Benchley, who's the author of Jaws Widow and she following Jaws coming out, she and Peter got very involved in ocean conservation and shark conservation. And so we talk about her work, we talk about Jaws and the making of Jaws, but her work with that as well. And also the movie that she executive produced, which is the 50th anniversary of JAWS, which came out just this summer. So a lot of great episodes coming, coming up. Really appreciate you all listening. And until Friday's episode with Lila Rose, this is Leslie. And thanks so much for joining the interview.