The North Fork of Long Island is known for its rural countryside with endless stretches of land, bountiful vineyards and potato farming heritage, symbolized by the classic barn. Today, a barn can be the frame of a modern home, the studio space of an art gallery, an idyllic bed and breakfast, the architectural interior of a state-of-the-art distillery, or the multi-use space of a vineyard tasting room.
Sheri Winter Clarry of Corcoran in Southold has worked with developers to design the modern barn home. The interiors have high ceilings, spacious rooms, huge two-story stone fireplaces, big windows, wood flooring, and exposed wood beams. The exteriors use reclaimed wood barn siding with beautiful metal roofs. Some resemble barns on the outside but are very sleek and modern on the inside, while others are modern both inside and out. As she says, “What’s old is new again,” and “new construction is made to look old.” She reflects that, “people love the modern barn home concept because it evokes a bucolic feeling.”
The Barn at Jedediah Hawkins Inn, in Jamesport was built in 2005 when the Inn was restored on the original footprint of the old 1863 barn. It is now an art gallery space. The wood beams, high ceilings, and large light-filled windows make it a perfect venue for displaying works of art. Many North Fork artists have been exhibited there.
Cedar House on Sound, in Mattituck is a bed & breakfast owned by the Perrin and Scarola families. They purchased the original potato-packing barn built in the 1930’s and in 2006 rebuilt it on the same footprint. They used reclaimed cedar wood from the original roof as window trim and floorboard, and built back old beams and collar ties into the décor to maintain its agricultural integrity. The interior is very modern but retains the look of a barn in a style they call “rustic chic.” This bed & breakfast is a great getaway.
Long Island Spirits in Baiting Hollow is Long Island’s first craft distillery and resides in a wonderfully restored post and beam barn with twin cupolas originally constructed in the 1900’s. In 2001-2006, the barn was structurally restored to its original splendor by owner, Joe Piccone, Jr., and in 2007. Long Island Distillery modernized the interior of the barn into a beautiful state-of-the-art craft distillery, where they make their ultra premium LiV Vodka with Long Island potatoes. Long Island Spirits is a charming venue with its cathedral ceiling, French doors and beautiful paned glass windows, overlooking the potato farm.
Bedell Cellars is a 30-year-old family-owned 80-acre estate vineyard on the North Fork. Kip Bedell, the founder, purchased the original 50-acre Cutchogue potato farm in 1979. In 2000, Michael Lynne, art collector, film executive and wine devotee became the owner of Bedell Cellars and in 2005, a new state-of-the-art winery was completed. The Bedell Cellars Tasting Room is located in a renovated 1919 historic potato barn. A beautiful staircase winds up to a spectacular view of the vineyard. The cathedral ceiling with exposed rafters give it a spacious ambience where one can savor the superb wines in an artistic surrounding highlighted by Michael Lynne’s private art collection.
Jamesport Vineyards was established in 1986 when Ron Goerler, Sr. acquired a 150-year old barn that now houses the winery and tasting room in Jamesport. Together with his son, Ron Goerler, Jr., they began Jamesport Vineyards in 1989, a 60-acre vineyard, producing 7,000 cases of wine per year. The 150-year-old wood-shingled barn with high ceilings, wood beams and exposed rafters has a country feeling, making this estate vineyard a wonderful place to enjoy excellent wines, live music and entertainment.
From modern homes, to art galleries, to bed & breakfasts to distilleries and vineyard tasting rooms, classic barns are being renovated, restored, and preserved, ensuring their lasting legacy on the North Fork.
