Processing Your Payment

Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.

June 4, 2021

Orange vineyard, winery to open for guests this summer

PHOTOS | Maureen Lynch  Stappa Vineyard in Orange.
By Maureen Lynch

Get ready to sip on a glass of Chardonnay, or maybe try some Cabernet Franc. 

Stappa Vineyard in Orange is opening to the public within the next month. The family and women-owned business will serve as a vineyard, winery and gathering spot.

The vineyard has been a family endeavor since the beginning, according to Alexa Charles, a co-owner along with her two sisters. 

Their father, Peter Landino, the owner of the property, at first hadn’t even considered starting a business. 

Landino and his wife fell in love with the property at 403 Derby Ave. on sight. He and his family worked the land together, cultivating the 14 acres into a vineyard, according to Charles.

Stappa Vineyard's vines at the Derby Avenue property in Orange.

At first, the plan was to simply restore the land and perhaps start a little farm, an homage to Landino’s past in Italy, where he worked as a shepherd. He had always wanted to start a vineyard, and this property seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Charles said their father makes a really good wine.

“He said, ‘You know what, one day I’m going to make a wine that gets an award,’” Charles said. 

This dream was the inspiration behind the family’s decision to transform the vineyard into a business. 

According to Charles, it became a tradition for the family to get together and work the land on Sundays. The family has renovated a house on the property for use as a winery. The vineyard now consists of a barn, a winery, a historic windmill, and of course, the vines. 

Charles and her sisters have taken over the business portion of the vineyard so their father can work with the grapes. 

Alexa Charles is preparing for the grand opening of her family’s latest venture, Stappa Vineyard. 

Stappa Vineyard LLC was incorporated in September and lists its three principals as Charles, Rosamaria Ponte and Sara Landino Mahon.

The family has a business background - as it also owns Cascade Fine Catering in Hamden, a banquet hall and catering company.

Working for Cascade has prepared Charles and her sisters for the challenges of starting a new business. 

“I think the biggest thing about Cascade was teaching me how to adapt,” Charles said. 

Fruits of labor: Peter Landino’s family’s business is bringing a new option for area wine lovers.

According to Charles, some members of the Orange community weren’t always supportive of their business plans, with some neighbors asserting it wouldn’t be in keeping with the residential neighborhood. 

However, the Landinos hope to start small and keep it that way. Charles said the small winery they have built on the property will primarily serve wine and will close early in the evening. She explained that at night, she wants to be home for her children. 

She also hopes Stappa can become a gathering space in the community. She imagines coordinating events with P.L.A.C.E. Art Studio in Hamden, for example.

“I want to bring the (art studio’s) trolley here… moms can bring their kids, and they can be painting safely in a trolley while (the moms) are here enjoying themselves,” Charles said.

Stappa Vineyard does not have a formal start date, however, the family hopes to open by the end of June.

For more information, including hours and updates on the business’ opening, visit stappavineyard.com. 

Maureen Lynch is an intern for New Haven Biz.

Sign up for Enews

Most Recent

Most Recent

0 Comments

Order a PDF