Twin Stills Moonshine set to open in Riverhead
With beer, wine, vodka and sake already established enterprises on the North Fork, it would seem that every alcoholic beverage has been tapped, right? Wrong.
Get ready to try moonshine. Twin Stills Moonshine is making it in Riverhead.
For husband and wife partners Joe and Patty Cunha of Riverhead, the business is more than a labor of love: It’s born out of a family tradition.
While growing up, Mr. Cunha learned about distilling spirits while visiting his grandfather in Portugal. His grandfather owned two distilleries there and it’s where Mr. Cunha learned how to make grappa.
“My grandfather had done this since 1926, and when I’d go to Portugal in the wintertime, I’d watch,” Mr. Cunha said. “When my grandfather passed away in 2006, we ran out of the grappa, so we started making our own.”
Photo: Twin Stills Moonshine is a family affair. Patty and Joe Cunha are teaching the family business to their sons, Eric and Nicholas. (Credit: Monique Singh-Roy)
