John Wines

John F. Wines stands as a seasoned associate broker at Saunders & Associates, seamlessly melding rigorous academic training, extensive market insight, and a deep familial connection to Eastern Long Island. A recipient of the distinguished Eagle Scout honor and a magna cum laude graduate in Finance from Ithaca College, his professional journey is grounded in honesty, integrity, and unwavering professionalism.

Upon his return to Southampton from college in 1976, John joined a family business in the construction industry before eventually realigning his interests towards real estate finance around 1985 – a field in which he would build a formidable reputation over 25 years by originating a wide variety of loan transactions, ranging from single-family homes to expansive commercial projects such as office complexes, shopping centers, and hotels.

John’s rich background in financial mechanisms and construction fundamentals laid the groundwork for his successful transition into real estate sales. His current practice combines market-savvy analytical skills with an enduring appreciation for the historical and cultural legacy of the Hamptons. Recognized among the highest one percent of agents nationwide by Real Trends and The Wall Street Journal, he serves both sophisticated investors and buyers who cherish the distinctive lifestyle of Eastern Long Island.

A hallmark project in his real estate career is his work with Harbor’s Edge, a 15‐unit condominium development in Sag Harbor Village. Under previous representation the project had languished, securing contracts for only two units. When the Wines Team assumed leadership, however, John’s perceptive market insights and expert negotiation skills transformed the effort, culminating in the sale of the 13 remaining sponsor units, followed by seven resales, and generating an impressive transaction volume exceeding $85 million. This turnaround exemplifies his ability to reinvigorate projects and drive significant market interest.

In another notable engagement from 2013, John and his team represented a 34.23‐acre vacant parcel in Southampton – one of the region’s rare, undivided properties. Initially sold by the Wines Team to an investor based on its development potential at $12,400,000, John and his son resold the land in 2014 to another builder for $25,200,000, thereby laying the foundation for the premier subdivision that is known today as The Fields.

Similarly, his innovative involvement with 54 Henry Street in Southampton Village highlights his versatility: from its original sale as an aging residence, through comprehensive redevelopment, to a successful resale, the Wines Team represented both buyer and seller at each stage and served as consultants for the redevelopment, reinforcing John’s reputation as a consummate facilitator of complex, multi-phased investment opportunities.

Deeply intertwined with the fabric of the Hamptons, John represents the eleventh generation of his family on Eastern Long Island and is a direct descendant of Captain Barnabas Wines, one of Southold’s original settlers dating to the 1640s. His lineage includes his great grandfather, George Wines, a key figure in the establishment of Southampton Village in the 1890s, and his father, Roy Wines Jr., who served with distinction as Chairman of the Southampton Town Planning Board, Mayor of Southampton Village, and the first-ever Chairman of the Peconic Land Trust. This legacy provides him with an unparalleled historical perspective and an intrinsic understanding of the local market.

Beyond his professional achievements, John is a devoted family man who raised three children in Southampton. His eldest son lives in Charlotte, NC and is Chief Strategy Officer for a major mortgage bank; his daughter, a Syracuse University College of Law graduate and Chief Operating Officer for a government contracting business, lives in northern Virginia with her family; and his youngest son, a Boston College MBA graduate, remains in Southampton with his family and is also affiliated with Saunders as an associate broker. Additionally, John is the proud owner of a West Highland White Terrier named Barney and maintains an active role in the community through various civic organizations. He is also a corporate member of the Bullhead Yacht Club.

By integrating comprehensive industry knowledge with a profound respect for Eastern Long Island’s heritage, John F. Wines has consistently redefined success in real estate. His blend of analytical precision, historical insight, and genuine personal engagement uniquely positions him as both a trusted advisor and a strategic leader in the Hamptons market.