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Last Updated: January 6, 2010

A New Year’s Eve Miracle
Banfi Vineyard Now Public Land

• Chris Roberts

In the final few hours of 2009, the people of Nassau County got one last holiday gift, sixty acres of farmland abutting Hegeman’s Lane in Old Brookville. In a remarkable achievement, all nineteen members of the county legislature voted to purchase the twenty-five acre tract of land. With that accomplished, an anonymous benefactor closed on an additional thirty-five acres, for a total of sixty acres to be preserved from development. In addition, the Rottkamp Farm lease of fourteen acres was renewed, so the property will continue to be a farm.
Lisa Ott, president of the North Shore Land Alliance (NSLA), attended the closings and commented, “This wouldn’t have happened without the people in the community. This was definitely a group effort. It was really quite wonderful.” The NSLA spearheaded an internet petition-signing effort to show support for the land’s purchase. Ms. Ott added that county officials will, no doubt, want to meet with neighboring property owners to discuss plans for the former Banfi land.
In early 2009, the farmland had been nominated for purchase through the Nassau County Bond Program, but the Mariani family (owner of Banfi Vineyards) declined the offer. At that time Ms. Ott stated, “Two independent ‘highest and best use’ appraisals were used as the baselines to determine the base price (offered by the county). As governments are not allowed to pay more than appraised market value, NSLA offered a $1,000,000 incentive above the county’s offer. The Mariani family declined to negotiate and asked that the property be withdrawn from consideration.” At that point, the NSLA went to work. Their goal was to raise enough money to meet the Mariani’s asking price for their property. Prayers were answered when an anonymous benefactor donated the necessary funds.
The Banfi Vineyard property on Hegeman’s Lane is a beloved landmark for local residents and visitors alike. Youngs Farm began tilling the soil in 1892, and twenty years ago sold most of their acreage to the Mariani family, owners of Banfi Vintners, who replaced corn and lettuce crops with grapes. In recent years, Nassau County and the town of Oyster Bay have passed bonds to purchase open land for conservation. The preservation of this land provides habitats for local flora and fauna, helps maintain the quality of the aquifers upon which we rely for our drinking water, and last but not least, keep our neighborhoods beautiful.