GUIDED BREWERY AND VINEYARD BIKE TOURS THROUGH THE NORTH FORK’S WINE COUNTRY
Enjoy a leisurely ride through the idyllic countryside of the North Fork Wine Country on a Vineyard Bike Tours.
Pedal your way to the taste of the North Fork wine country; explore breweries, wineries, and more. Enjoy a guided “Vineyard Bike Tours”brewery and vineyard tour through the North Fork’s Wine Country. The North Fork has well-organized guided bicycle tours of the area’s wineries, breweries, and farm stands. You’ll enjoy riding through the tree-lined streets of the various hamlets and enjoying the scenic views of the Peconic Bay. You’ll see historic landmarks and beautiful vineyards.
The organizers pay attention to the details of your dietary request and make sure your trip is well documented. Riding through the North Fork is like no other experience you’ve had. Normally you’d be zipping past important landmarks without knowing their history and significance. They are passionate about cycling and bring that to their creation of this event.
Vineyard Bike Tours
Cruise the North Fork Long Island from the seat of a single or tandem Hybrid bicycle (Helmets Included)
Enjoy unlimited non-alcoholic refreshments throughout your tour experience to stay energized while riding from location to location.
Professional guides will direct you through the beautiful North Fork landscape, leading you from winery to brewery and more.
Gain privileged access to wander vineyard fields.
Enjoy extra-virgin olive oil & fine vinegar tastings to infuse your pallet with local flavors.
Visit local farm stands and purchase freshly made jams, pies, fruits, and vegetables for your home.
Stroll down Love Lane after the tour for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience
Take advantage of a support vehicle to transport any purchases
Expert guides will capture moments from your day; photos will be available for free download
Duration: Approximately 5 Hours
When: Sundays, August 7,14,21,28 at 10 am -3:30 pm
Where: East End Bike Tours
Distance: Approximately 14-18 miles (dependent on the selected route)
Cost: $ 96-$155
“This bike tour was by far the best part of my North Fork Weekend. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
Vineyards and Wineries on the North Fork of Long Island
For the best wine on Long Island, go no further than the Vineyards and Wineries on the North Fork of Long Island. Yes, the Hamptons on the South Fork of Long Island have those beautiful white sand beaches, while our lovely North Fork beaches are pebbly. It’s true, but join us here if you love to be where the wine is. So, when you stay at our B&B near Greenport, NY, you’ll be in the heart of Long Island Wine Country.
Far and away, the North Fork is where most Long Island wineries are clustered. The clustering is partly because of the sunny yet protected maritime climate. The glacial soils also drain well, providing enough nutrients and moisture for the vines. Many people on the East Coast still don’t realize that a tremendous wine-producing area is only a short drive away! However, wine lovers have gotten the message. The wine-making industry has grown considerably since the first winery, Hargrave Vineyards in Cutchogue, opened in 1975. It is now called The Borghese Vineyard. The Long Island Wine Region has over 55 wineries open to the public, with 4000+ acres of vines.
The American Viticultural Areas of Long Island–North Fork of Long Island, The Hamptons, and Long Island, are recognized as some of the country’s finest grape-growing and wine-producing AVAs.
Most of the acreage is Vinifera grapes. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay are the main varietals. Still, others include Chenin Blanc, Dolcetto, Gewurztraminer, Lemberger, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Syrah, Tocai Friulano, and Viognier.
One of my favorites is Kontakosta in Greenport. The winery is set back in the vineyard at least a quarter of a mile from the street. You come upon this majestic building designed and built with reclaimed barn wood and glass. On a clear day of the Long Island Sound, there is a magnificent view at the end of the property. This is the only vineyard with a view of the sound.
Great wines are produced only a short drive from New York City and other major East Coast cities. Come to Long Island’s North Fork and experience some of the best wines in the U.S. without traveling very far! Our Bed and Breakfastnear Greenport is just the place to stay during your East End Long Island wineries tour.
Kontakosta
Sparkling Pointe, a winery in Southold, specializes in sparkling wines. Cynthia and Tom Rosicki, a couple who fell in love with the beauty and potential of the North Fork of Long Island, founded Sparkling Pointe. Their passion for creating exceptional sparkling wines and promoting the region has helped to make Sparkling Pointe one of the premier wineries in the area. The winery’s focus on traditional winemaking methods and its commitment to quality over quantity has led to numerous accolades and awards, including being named “Winery of the Year” by the New York Wine and Grape Foundation. Sparkling Pointe produces sparkling wines, just as its name suggests, including Brut, Rosé, Blanc de Blancs, and others. My favorite is the Brut. The winery uses traditional methods to deliver its wines, including hand riddling and disgorging, allowing maximum flavor and character in the final product. The winery also has a tasting room and outdoor patio with vineyard views, making it a beautiful and relaxing destination for wine lovers. They often run out of blends that become popular. The winery hosts various events throughout the year, including live music performances, food and wine pairing events, and educational vineyard tours.
Bedell Cellars is a family-owned winery founded by Kip Bedell in 1980 and located in Cutchogue. It has since become one of the most acclaimed wineries in the region. Bedell Cellars produces various wines, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and blends. The winery is mainly known for its Merlo which has won numerous awards and accolades, including being served at the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama in 2013. Visitors to Bedell Cellars can enjoy wine tastings, tours of the vineyard and winery, and special events throughout the year.
Macari Vineyards is a family-owned winery located in Mattituck. The vineyard was founded in 1995 and has since become one of the region’s most highly-regarded and largest wineries, with over 500 acres cultivated. Macari Vineyards produces various wines, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and blends. The vineyard is mainly known for its Bordeaux-style red blends, which have won numerous awards and accolades. My favorite is Cab Franc. The vineyard is certified as both a sustainable and organic winery. Its beautiful location, dedication to organic farming, and exceptional wines make it a standout in the region. The winery has a tasting room and outdoor patio with vineyard views.
Paumanock Vineyards, one of the earliest to plant grapes, is a family-owned and operated winery in Aquebogue. The vineyard was founded in 1983 by The Massouds. The vineyard has won many awards, including the 2015 Festival of New York State Wines Governor’s Cup for their 2010 Merlot Grand Vintage. The 2018 New York Wine Classic for their 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon was named the Best Red Wine of the competition. In 2019 at the New York Wine Classic, Paumonock won the prestigious Governor’s Cup for their 2017 Riesling as the Best Wine in New York State. Paumonock won the 2020 New York Wine Classic for their 2016 Grand Vintage Merlot, which won the Best Merlot category. In addition to its wines, Paumanock Vineyards is known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The vineyard has implemented several practices to reduce its carbon footprint, including solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and installing electric vehicle charging stations. Visitors to Paumanock Vineyards can enjoy wine tastings, tours of the vineyard and winery, and special events throughout the year.
The Old Field Vineyards is a family-owned winery located in Southold. Run by a mother-daughter team, the vineyard was founded in 1974. The Old Field Vineyards produces various wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and blends. The vineyard is known for its focus on sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention in the winemaking process, allowing the grapes’ natural flavors to shine through. Its commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the region, dedication to sustainable farming, and exceptional wines make it a standout in the area. One of the unique features of The Old Field Vineyards is its history. The property has been in the Baiz family for over 100 years. The original farmhouse and barns have been preserved and restored. The winery also has a tasting room and outdoor patio with views of the vineyard and Peconic Bay, making it a beautiful and relaxing destination for wine lovers.
Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast is located on Long Island’s North Fork – Wine Country. As such, we’re the perfect home base for a Long Island Wine Country bike tour.
Long Island’s North Fork is bicycle-friendly, with typically low traffic and beautiful vistas between destinations. Enjoying a Long Island Wine Country bike tour is a healthy, popular, and rewarding way to have a day of exploration and discovery during your Long Island getaway.
Depending on how many of the North Fork’s vineyards you’d like to visit, how much time you intend to spend at them, and your level of biking energy, a person could tour the entire North Fork in one day, with minimal stoops, or spend a week or more leisurely visiting every vineyard open for touring.
Many people still don’t realize how many Long Island wineries there are or that they’re in possession of some of the country’s best viticultural areas!
The Long Island winemaking industry has grown by leaps and bounds since the first winery opened here in 1975: Hargrave Vineyards in Cutchogue (now Castello di Borghese Vineyard & Winery). The Long Island Wine Council now boasts some 3000 acres of vines and 48 members, all but 9 of which reside on Long Island’s North Fork, near Greenport village and our inn, Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast!
Wine Enthusiast magazine named Long Island vineyards one of the ‘Top Ten Wine Regions in the World’ earlier this year, surprising some folks but not those of us who live or love it here: of course we are!
Not only do we have wonderful wines made by talented winemakers at established vineyards but we have the *atmosphere* of a world-class wine region (we call it the “North Fork” but let’s keep that between ourselves so the rest of Long Island doesn’t get jealous, eh?).
While the summer has come to a close on the island, the cool weather and colorful foliage associated with harvest season makes this a great time to take a trip to Long Island wine country!
One winery in particular has several great events and tours coming up at the end of this month and in the beginning of November. Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard, located at 1375 Peconic Ln. in Peconic, NY, about a 10 minute drive from our Long Island Inn, has both entertaining and educational opportunities for you to learn and experience Long Island wine. VIP Vine to Wine Tours. Saturday & Sunday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Be a part of the most comprehensive wine tour in the region, at the first custom winemaking center on the North Fork. Mini viticulture and winemaking lesson also includes wine tasting, cheese plate and special discounts. $20 per person, Reservations Required- Call to reserve: 631-734-8282. Psychic Event at the Jamesport Manor Inn. November 3, 12 p.m. The Sannino Vineyard
Join the North Fork Bed & Breakfast Association as they host a Psychic Event at Jamesport Manor Inn. The event includes:
a three hour group psychic reading by TV personality Jim Fargiano
an introduction by Kerriann Flanagan Brosky, author of Ghosts of Long Island, photographer and patch blogger
three – course lunch
a raffle with the following prizes: a private reading by Jim, his cd and signed book and a weekend stay at the NFBBA member BnB of your choice.
Tickets are $125 and can be purchased directly from the Sannino Bella Vita winery. Call (631) 734-8282 Winemaker for a Day: VIP Blending Session. November 18th, December 16th, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
With this exclusive session for two, you and your guest will create a custom bottle of wine as you learn about life as a vintner.
Owner and winemaker, Anthony Sannino, will lead you on a tour of the winery and provide you with an overview of the winemaking process. Throughout the experience you will enjoy Long Island varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and more.
To create a lasting memory of the day, you will make your very own custom blend while enjoying lunch. All is included for $150 per couple. Reservations Required- Call to reserve: 631-734-8282
A 2012 Spring Passport to Long Island Wine Country special is underway through June 1. In other words, this is a fabulous time to come spend a few days at Arbor View House our North Fork Long Island Bed and Breakfast near historic Greenport, NY.
Do you know how fun it is to visit a foreign land and come home with a new stamp on your passport? Well, each time you visit a participating Long Island Winery and purchase a bottle of wine, you'll get a stamp on your "passport".
Visit at least 10 participating wineries and receive:
A complimentary tasting of featured wine (with purchase of any in-house tasting).
2 admission tickets for the price of 1 to the 2012 Taste of Summer event at Old Bethpage Village on June 2.
A chance to win an East End Experience Gift Package.
Passport to Long Island Wine Country
In addition, you'll have had the wonderful experience of visiting many Long Island wineries and trying their wine. Like travel, this will broaden your mind and tantalize your palate!
Participating Long Island Wineries are too numerous to list here, but all 35 of them are listed on the Long Island Wine Country website.
Rest assured, you'll find many participating wineries close to our North Fork Long Island Bed and Breakfast. Peconic Bay Winery, Bedell Cellars, and Old Field Vineyards (try their Cabernet Franc) are three of the closest.
When you stay with us you'll get a wine discount card that will increase your savings even more.
Plan a Spring Wine Tasting Getaway on Long Island soon, and fill your passport!
Here is a list of some popular wineries and vineyards located on the North Fork of Long Island:
Bedell Cellars
Castello di Borghese Vineyard & Winery
Croteaux Vineyards
Jamesport Vineyards
Kontokosta Winery
McCall Wines
One Woman Wines & Vineyards
Palmer Vineyards
Pindar Vineyards
Roanoke Vineyards
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and there are other vineyards and wineries in the North Fork of Long Island that I list on the complete winery and vineyard list.
Long Island will be celebrating Harvest – First Annual Wine Auction & Celebration Friday, September 24 and 25. Harvest benefits East End Hospice and Peconic Land Trust. This is sure to be one fabulous fall weekend! Top restaurants and wineries from the North Fork will be assisting in the celebration! The North Fork Table and Inn, Noah’s and the Frisky Oyster are just a few of the participating restaurants. Support the Long Island wine region, and the people and land that make it special!
It all starts on Friday with 10 mile dinners from 7-11 P.M. This will consist of ten exclusive dinners at private locations, each hosted by a leading East End winemaker and chef. Saturday will bring educational programs spanning winemaking and tasting, cooking, and sensory explorations held at The Wine Salon and other wineries on the East End. This will be followed by the Festival Tasting of Long Island’s Bounty from 4-7:30 P.M. at the Wolfer Estate. There will be a Grand tasting of Long Island wines and include small local, seasonal dishes prepared by East End chefs partnered with farmers and food artisans. Also included will be a silent auction of regional treasures. The evening closes with a Gala Dinner and Live Auction of Long Island Wines from 7-11 P.M. This will feature a farm to table dinner at Wolfer Estate created by East End chefs Keith Luce, Gerry Hayden, and Claudia Fleming. Music, dancing, and a live auction will also be enjoyed. The auction of wines will be led by both Morel & Company and Zachy’s.
This is going to be a great start to a new tradition! Call (631) 477-6207 for more information.
Looking to try some Long Island wines? Long Island wine country has numerous amounts of wineries and all of them have fabulous wines. However, there are some that just seem to have received a little more attention than others! The following wines have been noted as some of the “must try” Long Island Wines selected by the Long Island Wine Guide. Sit back, sip, and enjoy! Cheers!!
Osprey’s Dominion 2000 Flight Meritage: This full-bodied blend of Merlot (60%) and Cabernet (40%) boasts a blackberry aroma with layers of new smoky oak and fleeting herbal notes and features a velvet texture with ripe tannins and a long finish. A winner of the “Best in Class” at the 2004 New York State Fair, the “Double Gold Medal” at the 2004 Tasters Guild International and the “Gold Medal” at the 2004 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Average price per bottle: $35. Castello di Borghese 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 Reserve: This Cabernet, with its deep ruby garnet appearance, features a rich start that tapers to a textured, rounded and well balanced finish. Look for hints of licorice, black plum, vanilla and black cherry. Average price per bottle: $35. 2002 Sherwood House Merlot: A bright deep ruby red wine, the spicy and peppery scents of the 2002 Merlot come together with a delicate fruity nose, developing a charming aromatic bouquet of raspberry and floral. Vanilla and oak flavors add to the complexity of this wine, melting with its delicate structure. Average price per bottle: $24 Laurel Lake 2002 Syrah: This full-bodied wine, barrel aged in French Oak for 18 months, is a fine example of the intense flavor for which the North Fork is well known. The 2002 Syrah is soft and silky with hints of pepper. The palate gives generous berry flavors with fine toasty oak finish. The Laurel Lake 2002 Syrah was a winner of the Florida State Fair International Wine Competition 2002. Average price per bottle: $20. Lieb Cellars 2003 Chardonnay Reserve: On the heels of its award winning 2002 vintage, Lieb’s 2003 Chardonnay Reserve may even beat its predecessor. Whole cluster pressed, using only first-run juice, it was stainless fermented with finishing for six months in neutral French oak. Elegant and well balanced with aromas of spiced apple and pear, hints of marzipan and toastiness, this Chardonnay flows beautifully on the palate. Average price per bottle: $18. Martha Clara 2004 Five-O White: A blend of six white varietals including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier and Gewürztraminer, bringing together the best of each varietal. This medium-bodied white reveals deep exotic perfumes and more subtle flavors of white fruits. Try this 2006 Jerry D. Mead New World International Wine Competition “Silver Medal” award winner with seafood. Average price per bottle: $25. Macari Vineyards 2003 Reserve Barrel Fermented Chardonnay: This elegant chardonnay was crafted in small quantity, using only hand-selected grapes. It features an enticing nose of caramel, apple and spicy Asian pear that leads to a creamy, almost frothy sensation on the palate. This chardonnay offers the perfect balance of fruit and oak, with hints of tropical fruits and stone fruit. Average price per bottle: $25. Castello di Borghese 2001 Merlot: Aged in French oak barrels for 13 months, this Merlot is well balanced with aromas of rose petal and cinnamon, a soft fruit flavor with a hint of black pepper and a beautiful garnet color. Average price per bottle: $20. Palmer 2003 Merlot: This merlot features ripe plum and berry flavors balanced with soft tannins and smoky oak. Its rich color and supple structure are a fine compliment to red meats, pork, poultry and medium flavored cheeses. The 2003 Palmer Merlot was a “Silver Medal” winner in the 2005 Taster’s Guild International competition. Average price per bottle: $19. Osprey’s Dominion 2001 Reserve Chardonnay: A “Silver Medal” winner at the 2005 New York Wine & Food Classic, this delicious chardonnay features a ripe tropical fruit aroma of pineapple and grapefruit with hints of green apple, toasted oak and vanilla. Aromas of apricot, peach, pineapple and toasted yeast round out this unique delight. Average price per bottle: $20.
If you plan to visit Long Island vineyards, make sure to add Martha Clara’s Vineyard to your list. Martha Clara’s Vineyard on the North Fork of Long Island was purchased by the Entenmann’s family in 1978 and was originally a potato farm. In 1995, they caught the “grape bug” and planted 18 acres of vitis vinifera grapes and they haven’t looked back since. Over the next four years, they expanded to over 100 acres of growing grapes and the vineyard is just lovely.
In addition to growing grapes, Martha Clara’s Vineyard has a variety of activities that are just perfect for a romantic getaway to the wine country of Long Island. Horse drawn carriage tours and wine tastings are available on an ongoing basis. The August and September calendar of events are chock full and are as follows:
Long Island will be celebrating Harvest – First Annual Wine Auction & Celebration Friday, September 24 and 25. Harvest benefits East End Hospice and Peconic Land Trust. This is sure to be one fabulous fall weekend! Top restaurants and wineries from the North Fork will be assisting in the celebration! The North Fork Table and Inn, Noah’s and the Frisky Oyster are just a few of the participating restaurants. Support the Long Island wine region, and the people and land that make it special!