The New York wine industry is deeply saddened by the recent deaths of Marco and Ann Marie Borghese, owners of Long Island’s Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery. Marco 
Borghese was killed in a car crash Monday, June 30, a few days after his wife died of cancer.
The couple purchased Castello di Borghese in 1999. Originally called Hargrave Vineyard, the estate was founded in 1973 by Louisa and Alex Hargrave, who launched Long Island’s vinifera wine industry. Marco and Ann Marie Borghese quickly established themselves as members of the New York wine community. Four years after moving to the North Fork he was elected president of the Long Island Wine Council. In 2005 the New York Wine & Grape Foundation awarded Marco Borghese its 
Unity Award, the Foundation’s highest honor, in honor of his important role on behalf of both Long Island and the broader statewide wine industry.
Marco Borghese, a native of Italy’s Tuscany region, oversaw the vineyards as well as the winemaking at Castello di Borghese. Ann Marie, who was in charge of marketing and promotion, was also involved in some of the winemaking decisions. She established an art gallery at the winery dedicated to showcasing the work of local artists, and was an active participant in many local charity and music events. Reached for comment earlier today, Louisa Hargrave noted that, "Everyone here is completely overwhelmed–it is too hard to even imagine the depth of this tragedy, especially for their children."
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