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A new lavender farm is putting down roots on Sound Avenue, bringing fragrant fields, a farm shop and plans for a family-friendly destination to Riverhead’s agricultural landscape.
Saltwater Farm, located at 3360 Sound Ave. at the corner of Roanoke and Sound avenues, opened over Memorial Day weekend after owner Anne Cynar purchased the 22-acre property in April.
For Cynar, the farm represents the realization of a dream years in the making. (Scroll down for photos.)
“I’ve been looking for a lavender farm for literally years,” she told Greater Long Island.
Cynar, who splits her time between East Hampton and New York City, searched for properties across the country before finding the Riverhead farm, which was previously home to Roanoke Lavender Farm.
The existing lavender operation, farm infrastructure and Sound Avenue location made the property especially appealing.
“I just feel like I’m pinching myself that it happened,” she said. “I’m super, super happy.”
Cynar’s love of lavender dates back to her childhood in France.
She grew up in Paris and spent summers visiting her mother’s hometown of Nice, where trips to Provence exposed her to the region’s sprawling lavender fields.
“Provence is where lavender is huge,” Cynar said. “My childhood, just the sights and sounds and smells and everything … I’ve always liked it. So, I wanted to bring it here.”
Before becoming a farm owner, Cynar worked in real estate and later stepped away from her career to raise her children. But the lavender farm remained the dream.
While waiting for the right property, she volunteered at other lavender farms to learn more about growing and caring for the plants.
When the Riverhead property came on the market, she jumped at the opportunity. Cynar closed in mid-April and immediately began preparing for the summer season.
She renovated the existing farm shop to give it a brighter, more open feel, including adding a third door that gives visitors a view of the lavender field.
Cynar also retained two employees who had worked for the previous owners and added another. All three are Riverhead High School graduates.
Outside, she decided to start fresh.
With the existing lavender plants in uneven condition, Cynar removed the field and replanted it in a distinctive sundial-inspired radial pattern.
The design is part of a larger vision for Saltwater Farm. Cynar plans to build a bluestone terrace overlooking the lavender, where she hopes to eventually host sunrise yoga, sunset drinks and other events.
The 22-acre property also includes an orchard with roughly 500 peach, apple and pear trees, along with a flower patch and wooded land.
Cynar envisions adding seating beneath the orchard, picnic areas, games and other amenities that encourage visitors to stick around.
“I want to basically encourage people to come here and hang out,” she said. “This is not for me and my family, this is a commercial farm. I want it to be open to everybody.”
And while lavender is the centerpiece, Cynar wants Saltwater Farm to be more than a seasonal stop.
She planted several English and French lavender varieties that bloom at different times, with the goal of eventually stretching the flowering season from early June into early August. The newly planted fields are expected to reach full maturity in about four or five years.
Inside the shop, visitors can find lavender plants, dried bouquets, sachets, bath products, candles, soaps, oils, gourmet foods and other lavender-themed items.
Some are sourced from established lavender farms in the United States and France, while Cynar has already begun making products from Saltwater Farm’s own harvest, including dried bouquets, sachets, honey, lavender wands and lavender spray.
The wands are a traditional craft from Provence, made by bending lavender stems around the flowers and weaving them together with ribbon.
“It used to be given to girls in France before they got married,” Cynar said. “You put it in your towels and your linen closet, or even use it as a decoration because it really is so pretty.”
As production increases, Cynar hopes to make more products from lavender grown on the property, including lavender water, essential oils and lotions.
The shop also serves lavender lemonade and lavender coffee, with hot coffee planned for the fall.
But Cynar’s larger goal is to create an experience that goes beyond shopping.
Her plans include picnic blankets and baskets, additional seating, lawn games, music, a bocce court and possibly charcuterie boards for visitors to enjoy on the property.
“What I want this to be is one of those things where the entire family can come,” she said.
She also wants Saltwater Farm to give families a place to simply enjoy the outdoors.
“I want to be a place for people who just want access to nature,” Cynar said.
Eventually, she hopes to keep the farm open year-round.
This fall, Cynar is planning a lavender-themed spin on traditional autumn activities, including pumpkins and homemade lavender marshmallows for s’mores.
“I want to bring in the regular fall experience with pumpkins, but with a lavender twist,” she said.
Saltwater Farm is currently open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cynar hopes to remain open daily into the fall, with hours adjusting as the days get shorter.
Ultimately, she sees Saltwater Farm as a place where visitors can experience agriculture, nature and a little bit of the Provence that inspired her as a child.
Take a farm tour
Photos by Julianne Mosher
Top: Saltwater Farm, located at 3360 Sound Ave. at the corner of Roanoke and Sound Avenues, opened its doors over Memorial Day weekend after owner Anne Cynar purchased the 22-acre property in April. (Credit: GLI/Julianne Mosher)
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