Nestled in the heart of Long Island’s North Fork, Sparkling Pointe has firmly established itself as a premier producer of méthode champenoise sparkling wines. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, the winery has grown from a modest 12-acre vineyard to an iconic destination for wine enthusiasts seeking the very best in American sparkling wine.
Founded in 2004 by Tom and Cynthia Rosicki, Sparkling Pointe was born out of the couple’s shared passion for the magic and romance of champagne. “We wanted to produce a wine that could stand the test of time and bring people together,” says Tom Rosicki. Their commitment to traditional winemaking methods, paired with the unique terroir of Long Island, has propelled Sparkling Pointe into the spotlight as a leader in U.S. sparkling wine production.
A State-of-the-Art Winemaking Facility
At the core of Sparkling Pointe’s success is its state-of-the-art winemaking facility, opened in 2009 on the vineyard’s home farm in Southold, NY. The facility includes cutting-edge technology such as a 2,000-bottle gyro pallet riddling machine and a fully automated disgorging line—critical components for the traditional méthode champenoise process.
The Visionary Behind the Bubbles: Winemaker Gilles Martin
At the helm of Sparkling Pointe’s winemaking is Gilles Martin, a French-born winemaker with a deep-rooted passion for sparkling wine. With over 30 years of international winemaking experience, Martin brings a unique blend of old-world tradition and new-world innovation to the winery. Born near the Champagne region of France, Martin’s journey into winemaking began with a fascination for fermentation that grew during his childhood. His family’s involvement in farming and cider production sparked a lifelong love for viticulture.
After studying Biotechnology and Food Chemistry in Paris, Martin’s uncle, an oenologist, introduced him to the idea of winemaking, and Martin was instantly captivated. He earned a Diplôme National d’Enologie from the University of Montpellier, where his thesis on ultra-filtration in winemaking won first prize from Jacques Chirac, the former President of France.
Martin’s career took him around the world, allowing him to hone his craft at renowned wineries in Europe, Australia, and the United States. His experience includes stints at Weingut Hans Lang Winery in Germany, Houghton Winery in Australia, Roederer Estate in California, and Delas-Frères Winery in France.
However, it was Long Island’s unique terroir that truly captured Martin’s imagination. “Long Island’s maritime climate and cool temperatures are ideal for growing sparkling wine grapes,” he explains. “The soils, the weather, and the growing season provide the perfect environment to create wines with elegance, structure, and depth.”
At Sparkling Pointe, Martin blends tradition with innovation, utilizing his scientific background and passion for experimentation to craft exceptional wines. His expertise in blending is particularly evident in Sparkling Pointe’s portfolio, where he artfully combines Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay to create complex, expressive cuvées. “Blending is an art,” Martin explains. “It is the most exciting moment of the year when I create the different cuvées for Sparkling Pointe.”
Elegance Meets Innovation at Sparkling Pointe
Sparkling Pointe’s Grand Tasting House offers visitors a luxurious, French-Chateau-inspired setting to experience their sparkling wines. The radiant, modern design of the tasting room is complemented by art sourced from Rio de Janeiro, giving the space a lively yet refined ambiance. In the “Bubble Room,” a stunning mosaic of pearled iridescent glass mirrors the luminous bubbles in each glass of wine, creating a perfect setting for private tastings.
Sparkling Pointe is also one of the few Long Island wineries to offer table service tastings and a curated food pairing menu, featuring locally sourced delicacies like Catapano Dairy’s cheeses and Pearl Street Caviar. This focus on regional producers extends Sparkling Pointe’s commitment to supporting the local community, a cornerstone of the Rosickis’ vision for the winery.
Awards and Accolades
Over the past two decades, Sparkling Pointe has garnered widespread acclaim from top wine publications and critics. Their wines have consistently received high ratings, with several bottlings earning 90+ points from prestigious outlets such as Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast. Notably, their Topaz Impérial Rosé was highlighted in VinePair as one of the best sparkling rosé wines of 2024, while Wine Spectator included Sparkling Pointe in their “Tasting Highlights” for exceptional sparkling wines.
This dedication to excellence is evident across Sparkling Pointe’s entire portfolio, from their Blanc de Blancs to their extended tirage Brut Seduction, which ages on the yeast for a remarkable eight years.
Looking Ahead: A Toast to the Next 20 Years
As Sparkling Pointe celebrates its 20th anniversary, the Rosickis and their team are looking forward to continuing their mission of putting Long Island—and New York—on the global sparkling wine map. Their wines have not only captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike but also serve as an example of what can be achieved when passion, artistry, and tradition converge.
