In the sphere of Long Island winemaking, few names resonate as profoundly as that of Russell Hearn. A veritable pioneer, Hearn has been at the forefront of the region’s viticultural journey, particularly with the iconic Lieb Cellars. And now, over 30 years since its inception, Hearn has marked a significant milestone by acquiring the vineyard he played a pivotal role in establishing, merging it with his family’s venture, Suhru Wines.
In 1992, Lieb Cellars came into being with a price tag of $4.5 million. And from 1993 onward, under Russell’s adept hands, the vineyard flourished and set new benchmarks for Long Island wines. The 54-acre North Fork estate, cultivated sustainably, became a symbol of excellence with signature wines like its Pinot Blanc, sparkling Cuvées, and distinguished red varietals.
Russell reminisced about his first meeting with the vineyard’s founders, Mark and Kathy Lieb. “Their passion for amplifying the finest Long Island wines was palpable, and today, that vision remains at the heart of Lieb Cellars,” he noted. “Having crafted Lieb’s signature wines for three decades, I’m excited about steering its future endeavors.”
But the future Russell envisions isn’t just a continuation of the past. By integrating operations with Suhru Wines, the family’s brainchild since 2008, there’s an evident roadmap toward more significant innovation. Suhru, founded by Susan Hearn and later managed by their daughter Shelby Ulrich in 2018, transformed its identity from a wholesale model to operating a dynamic tasting room.
While steering Suhru’s course, Russell was instrumental in launching the first custom-crush winery on the East Coast in 2000, thus ushering in a new era for boutique Long Island wines. It’s this very depth of knowledge and experience that Shelby believes will fortify the Suhru-Lieb alliance.
Further strengthening the endeavor, the Hearns have joined forces with entrepreneurs John and Renée Fondacaro, who bring a wealth of wine and hospitality acumen. “Mergers thrive on diversity of perspectives,” Russell stated. “The coming together of Suhru, Lieb, the Fondacaros, and our family is a testament to harnessing diverse talents for mutual growth.”
Even as these transitions unfold, some things remain constant. Russell will continue crafting wines for Lieb’s Bridge Lane label, ensuring the brand’s essence remains intact.
The Corcoran’s Sheri Winter Parker adeptly managed the real estate intricacies of this collaboration on the transaction. Parker said, “Facilitating this sale was truly a privilege.” Interestingly, this wasn’t her maiden collaboration with Russell; she had previously managed the 2018 sale of the Premium Wine Group, another of Russell’s co-founded ventures.
For those keen to explore more about this exciting new chapter in Long Island’s wine narrative, more details await at liebcellars.com.
