Love is a very splendid thing. It is love that brings us to a delightful North Fork winery and the romantic story behind the husband and wife owners, Prince Marco and Anne Marie Borghese of the Castello di Borghese in Cutchogue. It is the vineyard that once belonged to Alex and Louisa Hargrave and is today one of the most recognizable vineyards on the North Fork. Prince Marco and his lovely wife Anne Marie first met when she was applying for a job. Now of course she has a different job at the wonderful vineyard.

At the moment, the cousin to Prince Marco, Prince Lorenzo Borghese is in fact the finalist, in search of his future princess, on the ABC television series, “The Bachelor.” A tidbit of trivia is that Prince Fernando, Marco’s son who works in advertising in Philadelphia was also being considered for the role but Lorenzo got the nod.

The Castello di Borghese has a relaxed continental flare that is personified by the way the proprietors have vintage barrels elegantly stacked on a truck on the roadway inviting all to come in and toast love. The wine tasting’s are elegant and the Pinot Noir Reserve is wonderful and is on the wine list at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor as well as other fine quality establishments.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the anniversary of when Anne Marie and Prince Marco visited the Hargrave Winery in 1998 approaches. The story goes that the Prince looked at his wife and was in love. He said that he would simply like to “buy it.” His wife thought he meant the bottle of wine he was holding and not the whole winery, but buy it he did and thus introduced his style of life into the processing of the wine. Simplicity is a theme to their existence, the idea of being able to make the time to take the time to “smell the roses.” However now after eight years of bringing their wonderful smiles, love and wine to the North Fork the couple has put the Castello di Borghese vineyard up for sale. They stress that the sale is not a fire sale but a business decision to entertain offers at the correct price. The last eight years have been so very special to the couple and they only put the vineyard up for sale to pursue other lifetime goals and not be tried down to all the detail and labors of running Castello di Borghese the only way they knew how first class.

As for their nephew and the hit show, “The Bachelor,” the girls that are pursuing the young Prince Lorenzo are on a quest for love and royalty.

Because of the nature of the show, Lorenzo does not have to do anything in order to find his love. The girls come after him.

With all this love in the air, and with the notoriety of “The Bachelor,” the vineyard has created a special “Year Of Romance” gift set featuring Prince Lorenzo’s favorite wines. Also in the package is a 2007 date book with romantic quotes and ideas, and of course a single rose. Prince Lorenzo may be able to vote off the show any girl he feels like, but we can assure you that he gives a thumbs up to his families wine.