The Interesting Connection Between Entenmann's And Martha Clara Vineyards
The Entenmann family is a household name in the United States, thanks to its large range of bakery products (including an unbelievable number of donuts made) and long history. Town and Country details the origins of the family business, going as far back as the end of the 19th century with William Entenmann's arrival from Germany. When William died, his son and family took over, expanding the bakery with the addition of a factory in the mid 1900s (via Bon Appétit). The company was sold in the late 1970s and is currently owned by Bimbo Bakeries (via Bon Appétit).
Amidst a family history of baked goods and entrepreneurship, William's grandson Robert purchased a potato farm to start a vineyard in 1995. Located in Long Island's North Fork American Viticultural Area, Robert named it Martha Clara Vineyards, after his mother. He planted the first vines in 1996 and a couple of years later released his first wine, which was met with good reviews (via Newsday). Entenmann told Newsday in 1999 that he intended to build the business for his daughter to eventually take over.
Winemaking as a family business
Not only did Robert choose land that was close to home, Long Island is also one of the finer wine regions on the east coast of the United States. Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing explains that the coastal location has a large moderating influence on the climate, resulting in milder conditions that facilitate grape growth. When speaking with Newsday, Robert noted that making great wine started with well-grown grapes, much like making pastries required quality ingredients.
Less than two decades later, Robert passed away and the vineyard was sold to the Rivero Gonzalález family in 2018, according to Wine Spectator. The family has extensive experience in the wine business in Mexico and chose to rebrand the estate to take into account their own legacy (via RGNY Wine). The 200 acre farm now has around 100 acres of land under vine, including 14 different grape varieties. While the Entenmann family wine business did not live on, the name can still be found on baked goods countrywide.