You will be surprised to discover that there are around 50 wineries in the Long Island Wine Trail in a two-hour drive from New York City. Long Island Wine Country produces high-quality wines due to the cool maritime climate that helps thrive wine range of varieties. Long Island Wine Trail encompasses three distinct American Viticultural Areas ( or A.V.A.s) established in the 1980s. These wine regions are located in two different forks. Specifically, these two forks are South Fork (The Hamptons A.V.A.) and The North Fork, an A.V.A. also known as NoFo.
The Hamptons AVA in the South Fork of Long Island Wine Trail
This mainly covers Bridgehampton and Sagaponnack area wineries. If you drive towards Montauk you will find the wine trails in Long Island Hamptons AVA. Hamptons area wineries hold a special place in my heart. The firs time I visited Montauk, we stopped in two of their wineries and that was my first encounter with Long Island Wines. If you visit you will definitely want to schedule a trip to Montauk and some of the nearby beaches. Since is pretty close to beach houses and public beach areas, this more like a beach-town experience wine-trail-vibe.
Watermill
- Duckwalk Vineyards: 231 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976
Located at Montauk Highway this is the first wine stop you should make on your way to Montauk. It gets crowded with groups but during the summer the patio and live music reserves a spot for anyone. They have also another location at NOFO. For more info check duckwalk.com
Sagaponack
- Wölffer Estate Vineyards: 139 Sagg Rd, Sagaponack, NY 11962
Has become very popular for their great wine, amazing tasting room and avant garde wine label design. They are the staple of the Hamptons AVA. I loved their famous Summer in a Bottle Rosé since the first sip. But since 2018 they have more than two types of Rosé. For this reason, I have been trying every vintage of their orginal Summer in a Bottle Rosé blend. In fact, lately they have been focusing on different blends and now they even have Rosé magnums. All their wines are of great quality and representative of the terroir of Hamptons AVA. In order to visit, you have to make a reservation to get a wine tasting here. More info at wolffer.com
Bridgehampton
Channing Daughters Vineyard: 1927 Scuttle Hole Rd, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
I’ve tried their Rosé from Merlot at a joint in Brooklyn and I got so curious about them. Finally, in the summer of 2019 I had the chance to visit them. I was so impressed by their winemaking. They are hand-crafting a mall batch of Petillant Naturels. More info at channingdaughters.com
North Fork AVA in the Long Island Wine Trail
The panorama of NoFo is entirely different from the Montauk area wineries’ beach vibes. There are farms all over the trail with beautiful and tasty delicacies on their farm stands. You could also find apple cider and delicious apple doughnuts in the same farm stand during the fall. You can also enjoy delicious homemade fruit pies. Long Island’s North Fork stretches 23 miles from Riverhead, I have not visited all 39 wineries, but I will keep adding more information on this article since I continue to explore Long Island Wine Country.
Tasting fees range from $10 to $25 per wine tasting on the wineries. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Most offer cheese and other delicacies but do not expect a wine and cheese pairing yet. I recommend you take a tour to visit more of them if you visit the area. If you live in New York, see them slowly. Each winery has a lot to offer, and winemakers are usually available in the tasting rooms. Try to make a reservation whenever possible so your experience can be more rewarding. Here are some of the wineries I recommend you visit, and I hope that at some point and in subsequent posts, I will tell you more about them.
Riverhead
RGNY.
RGNY has dedicated itself to understanding the region while holding in regard its Mexican heritage -which is exclusive to its brand. RGNY is able to provide a unique perspective that can be seen in both winemaking process and in the authentic consumer experiences. This winery is a must in your trip to the North Fork. I have visited many times and I have even interviewed her CEO Maria Rivero. Read the complete interview here.
Some of the wines that you should try here are the Cabernet Franc, the White Merlot, Viognier and the Sparkling Brut.
Palmer Vineyards: 5120 Sound Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901
Laurel
Paumanok Vineyards: 1074 Main Rd, Aquebogue, NY 11931
Paumanok vineyards has one of the most friendly atmospheres in Long Island. They are family friendly. I really enjoy their wines and can recommend them. Learn more about their amazing story here. I recommend you to do reservations in advance, they get busy during the weekends.
Clovis Point: 1935 NY-25, Laurel, NY 11948
Laurel Vineyards: 3165 Main Rd, Laurel, NY 11948
Mattituck
Shinn Estate Vineyards: 2000 Oregon Rd, Mattituck, NY 11952
McCari Vineyards: 150 Bergen Ave, Mattituck, NY 11952
Bridge Lane Vineyards: 35 Cox Neck Rd, Mattituck, NY 11952
McCall Wines: 22600 NY-25, Cutchogue, NY 11935
Make your reservation in advance to enjoy the McCall Wines experience. Is a family winery and if you visit they will sure make you feel part of it. Is a rural but luxurious experience. They craft one of the best Cabernet Franc I have tried in the North Fork so far.
Cutchogue
Lieb Cellars: 13050 Oregon Road, Cutchoge, NY 11935
Lieb Cellars is operated by a team of young forward-thinking individuals from diverse backgrounds. They are united in a single mission: to produce wine that they love to drink and are proud to pour. Known for their signature dry, clean and fruit-forward style, Lieb Cellars offers a portfolio of estate grown, sustainably farmed still & sparkling wines. More information.
Pellegrini Vineyards: 23005 Main Rd, Cutchogue, NY 11935
Pellegrini Vineyards is located at Cutchogue, NY. Enjoy their Gewurtruzaminer, Cab Franc, Cab Sauvignon and Rosé tasting for $14 at their beautiful tasting room. Definitely try their Gewurtruzaminer is a great expression of Long Island Gewurz. Their tasting room is often packed but you can enjoy tasting outside and like me walk the beautiful vineyards.
Visit Long Island Wine Country!
I have been evangelizing about the Long Island wine region for the past five years, and I have seen it grow and attract more tourists to their wineries and tasting rooms. I hope you can get advantage of how close to the city you can find a diverse wine trail.
Check this map below about the wine trail
Pin me!
More information on Long Island Wine Trails:
Sally Carpenter from Associated Press on Long Island Wine Trail
Trip Advisor comments on Long Island Wine Trail
Wine Enthusiast : Long Island AVA
This looks like so much fun, what was the best wine you tried?
Author
difficult to pick just one! The Pet Nats at Channing Daughter are delicious