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Winery shuts down after complaints of lewd parties
A New York winery has closed its doors three weeks after its liquor licence was suspended following reports of its patrons repeatedly engaging in lewd behaviour, mass brawls and defecating on neighbouring lawns.
The New York State Liquor Authority ordered that “no alcohol may be sold or consumed on the premises” of Vineyard 48, a Long Island Winery owned by Joseph Paul Winery Inc. on October 6, issuing an emergency suspension of its liquor licence.
The order was based on a referral by the Southold Police Department (SPD), following a 911 call from neighbours of the winery on September 30 complaining that they could see two patrons engaging in sexual acts in view of their backyard, which bordered Vineyard 48.
On arrival, officers escorted two “highly intoxicated trespassers” off the property, but were later that day called back to an altercation involving “400 disorderly, heavily intoxicated patrons were pushing, shoving and screaming at one another,” at the winery, according to a statement issued by the New York State Liquor Authority.
A fight later erupted involving 12 to 20 people, with police officers called in to break up the ruckus and ordering the winery to close for the afternoon.
Police also reported long bathroom lines which had led to some patrons wandering off the premises to urinate and defecate on the properties of neighbouring residents.
From May 28 to September 30, 2017, SPD officers said they had responded to 10 incidents at the premises. Two involved alcohol overdoses where patrons were rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.
Four involved intoxicated patrons causing disturbances in the community, and three involved buses and limos making dangerous illegal U-turns near the vineyard.
“Vineyard 48 has amassed a disturbing record of repeatedly serving patrons far beyond the point of extreme intoxication, straining police resources and wreaking havoc on their neighbors and the surrounding community,” said Counsel to the Authority Christopher R. Riano. “The time has come for this licensee to follow the laws of New York State, and I commend the SLA for taking emergency action, as Vineyard 48 has demonstrated again and again they have zero respect for the law, and no care for their neighbors, the police or for the safety of their patrons.”
Three weeks after its licence was suspended, the winery has since shut down completely, with Vineyard 48’s owners confirming it had cancelled its licence and will close permanently.