Far from the busy avenues and yellow taxis is another world entirely.
Long Island’s North Fork is quaint and quiet. It’s surrounded on both sides by beaches, while roads wind through farmland. Fruit and flower stands dot the sides of the road, with many working on an honor system for purchase. Oyster farms are a dime a dozen, some of which you can find selling and shucking fresh goods roadside.
The North Fork is also home to Long Island Wine Country, home to more than 60 vineyards and tasting rooms that are constantly churning out remarkable wines and upping the ante on the wine-tasting experience just a hop, skip, and a jump away from New York City.
“Our location, just a little more than two hours from New York City and uniquely situated between two bodies of water–the Long Island Sound and the Peconic Bay–makes the North Fork as beautiful as it is accessible,” says Gabriela Macari of Macari Vineyards. “It might not be somewhere you’d expect to find quality winemaking, but we’re out here making it happen and pushing the envelope on what this region can do.”
However, it’s not been a secret that Long Island wines don’t always get their due when stacked against others from around the world. And, with the Finger Lakes also in New York, it’s tough competition. Long Island wines are distinctly unique and are beginning to command more attention from the wine world for an array of reasons. However, to enjoy visiting the vineyards of the East End, Marin Brennan, a winemaker at Corey Creek Taproom, notes that first-time or those newer visitors should keep an open mind when tasting wines from this region in order to appreciate them fully.
“The wines from our region will taste different, and that’s due to the cool maritime climate we have,” she says. “So, our characteristics are going to be different from other regions, even if it’s the same varietal. We want to be known for making terroir-driven wines that really showcase a sense of place.”
And, adds Macari, there will be something for every type of wine drinker on the North Fork, from novice to experienced sipper. “There’s an impressive amount of diversity when it comes to grape varieties on Long Island, in addition to cutting-edge winemaking.”
Yes, the wine is front and center, says Ken Cereola, general manager of Peconic Bay Vineyards, but that’s not all the area has to offer. “Long Island sits among the top for someone seeking a complete experience of everything a wine region could offer. Amazing vineyards, historic farmland, gorgeous beaches, and local restaurants bring wines from the vineyard to the table.”
While mainstays like Paumanok, McCall, Lenz, and Clovis Point are always great stops for tastings, several vineyards offer a one-of-a-kind experience in conjunction with delicious wine. Here are a few that will give you an extra warm welcome to Long Island Wine Country.