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.
Looking to get out on the North Fork Wine Trail but not looking forward to the driving? Park your car and discover Long Island wineries with North Fork Trolley Wine Tours!
Long Island Wine Country is the perfect summer playground for the discerning vacationer. The weather is fantastic, the people warm and friendly, and there are lots of vineyards to visit!
Long Island’s North Fork is home to nearly 40 wineries that are open to the public. The area has long been considered as one of the best viticultural areas in the country. A taste of any of our local wines will bear that truth out!
Kontokosta Winery in Greenport Village is the only winery on Long Island’s North Fork to offer both a tasting room and a waterfront location. If that doesn’t entice you, how about their impressive selection of award-winning wines?
Kontokosta Winery opened its tasting room doors to the public in summer of 2013 but has been producing wines since 2006. The 62-acre property overlooks Long Island Sound. The winery shares this enviable view with visitors who stop by for a taste and a nosh or maybe a bottle or two.
You’ve survived the holidays and now it’s time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation to kick off the New Year right – but what to do? How about a Long Island Wine Country getaway?
You might think winery tours and tastings are an activity more suited to warmer times of the year. Let’s face it: a glass of wine with friends is fine whenever it happens. Besides, enjoying a glass of wine while snuggled up next to a crackling fire? That sounds even better, somehow doesn’t it?
This is the final installment in our series on self-guided winery touring in the North Fork of Long Island, which we call the North Fork Winery Tour, Part IV. Can you believe that within only 15 miles of our Bed and Breakfast-Arbor View House, there are more than twice as many wineries? Here, we will tackle the last few on our route.
Power culinary couple Barbara Shinn and David Page made this winery their home after starting one of the first farm to table restaurants on the East Coast and having great success with a brewery and cookbook. Now, they have one of the only wineries on the East coast powered solely by alternative (mostly solar) energy. The tasting room is open Sunday thru Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and stay open until 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
Head back towards Middle Road and take it through the town of Mattuck. Just Southwest of town, three and a half acres of Merlot grow exceptionally well in this small micro-climate. Founded in 2003 on a ‘gentleman’s farm,’ all fruit is hand-picked and sorted and aged in French oak for 18 months. The video below depicts a fundraising event that took place there.
18. Laurel Lake Vineyards, 3165 Main Rd, Laurel:
Head back down to Route 25 and a little over a mile down is Laurel Lake Vineyards. The winery boasts a colonial style building where tastings take place, filled with period antiques. A large two-story deck is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine while over looking the bucolic beauty of the agricultural North Fork of Long Island. The tasting room is open year round, seven days a week.
19. Macari Vineyards & Winery, 150 Bergen Avenue, Mattituck:
While the vineyard was established in 1995, the property has belonged to the Macari family for over 50 years and would not be a complete North Fork Winery Tour, Part IV without this amazing winery. They produce a wide selection of varietals, including Sauvignon Blanc, Reisling, Cobernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Pinot Meunier and others. Along with wines, the 500 acre property also boasts diverse livestock, including Longhorn cattle, Spanish goats, horses and more. The tasting room is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Our last two blog posts have outlined a suggested route for visiting wineries in the North Fork of Long Island, with the starting point being our Bed and Breakfast in East Marion. We continue that tour in this blog, as part 3.
11. Peconic Bay Winery, 31320 Main Rd, Cutchogue: If you were just at the lovely LIEB Winery tasting room on Oregon Rd., cross Middle Road on Cox Ln back to Main Road (Rte. 25) and keep heading Southwest on Main road about a third mile. The Peconic Bay Winery is a bit of rural heaven on Long Island. Check for live music and events at the winery.
12. Castello di Borghese Vineyard, 17150 County Road 48, Cutchogue: A mile down Rte. 25, turn up Alvahs Rd to get back on Middle Road. Just to the right will be Castello di Borghese, voted the Best Winery in Long Island by editors at the Long Island Press. Pinor Noir and Sauvignan Blanc are their signature varietals.
13. McCall Wines, 22600 New York 25, Cutchogue: Although the McCall family has grown grapes on the North Fork for over 14 years, 2007 was the first year they considered the vintage to be truly great and put it on the market. They make Pinot Noir and Merlot.
14. Pellegrini Vineyards, 23005 Main Rd, Cutchogue: Just next door to McCall Wines is Pellegrini Vineyards, where wine tastings can be enjoyed in the tasting room or on the courtyard seven days a week. Pellegrini Vineyards. Photo by Tessie Reveliotis
15. Sherwood House Vineyards, 2600 Oregon Rd, Mattituck: Enjoy traditional French style wines here at the Outdoor Tasting Stand and Gardens located right next to the vineyard, with picnic tables and fire pits.
Lodging for a North Fork Wine Weekend
The Arbor View Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place for you to call home while you are exploring the North Fork of Long Island. We offer full three course breakfasts, heavenly beds, great concierge service and a clean, comfortable house.
Come back next week for the conclusion of our Winery Tour Route!
Last post, we began a route for a self guided tour of North Fork wineries, with the starting point being our bed and breakfast. We continue that tour below.
6. Corey Creek, 45470 Rte. 25 Southhold. Only a quarter mile down Route 25 (Main Rd.) you will take a left down a driveway about 500 ft. long. Corey Creek are the vineyards for Bedell Cellars. This winery is a 30-year-old sustainably farmed and family owned estate vineyard and winery making some of the most critically acclaimed wines from the North Fork of Long Island. Tasting room is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
7. Raphael, 39390 Rte 25 Pectonic. One mile down the road and on the left will be Raphael. Along with happy hours and live music, Raphael creates ripe, fruit-driven wines that exhibit a marriage of depth, finesse, elegance, and balance. They also offer tours of the vineyard and production facility.
8. Pindar Vineyards, 37645 Rte. 25, Pectonic. Only a half mile down the road, come to Pindar Vineyards. Today Pindar Vineyards produces 70,000 cases of wine a year, making them the largest vineyard on Long Island. The vineyard encompasses more than 500 scenic acres where 17 varieties of grapes are grown and crafted into some 23 varietals and proprietary blends.
9. Pugliese Vineyards, 34515 Main Rd (Rte. 25), Cutchogue. Featuring many estate bottled wines, champagnes & ports. Opened in 1980, Pugliese Vineyard is a family business. Tasting room open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
10. LIEB Cellars, Oregon Rd., Cutchogue. Our last winery for this post brings us back to the North side of the Peninsula to LIEB Cellars. This tasting room is their second on Long Island. Situated across from an expansive sunflower field, Lieb Cellars on Oregon Road offers beautiful views as well as piano music on weekends and hors d’oevres made by In-house Epicurian, Alicia Valle, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Alicia prepares fresh, seasonal bites from local purveyors. Menus are created each week, and wine pairings are suggested. Open every day from noon to 7 p.m.
Come back next week for more North Fork Wineries! Can you believe we’ve only worked our way through about half of the wine growing region of Long Island?
In this post, we are going to give you a list of the wineries closest to our Long Island Bed and Breakfast in East Marion for your Self Guided North Fork Winery Tour. Take your bike or rent one, get a designated diver or hire a limo or driver for a wine tasting tour you won’t forget.
Kontokosta Winery North Road, Greenport, NY:
This winery is less than two mile from us. It is spectacular in that you have magnificent view of the sound. As they say “Sound Mind, Sound Wine”. The Tasting Room is open Sunday, Monday & Thursday 11am to 5pm, Friday & Saturday 11a to 6p. Closed Tuesday & Wednesday, Limousines, buses and vans are not permitted. Trained, leashed Service Dogs are welcome; however, pets are not permitted.
2. Old Field Vineyards, 59600 New York 25 Southold:
Six miles south of the B&B is the Old Field, a family owned and operated winery open since 1974. Open Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Spring. Chardonnay from One Woman Wines
3. One Woman Vineyards, 5195 Old North Rd. Southold:
On the other side of the island, about four miles, is One Woman Wines and Vineyards. Owner Claudia Purita planted the majority of her plants by hand and continues a tradition of sustainability and self-reliance. Open Monday through Thursday 12 – 4 p.m., Friday through Sunday 12 – 6 pm.
4. Sparkling Pointe, 39750 County Road 48 Southold:
Down Route 48 about two and half miles is Sparkling Pointe – a sparkling wine and Champagne vineyard and winery. The tasting house is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
5. Mattebella Vineyards, 46005 Rte 25 Southold:
Now the wineries are going to start being even closer together. Two miles away you’ll arrive at Mattebella Vineyard, another family winery where the vast majority of harvesting is done the old fashioned way, by hand. Tasting Cottage open Wednesday through Monday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (and sometimes later).
6. Duckwalk Vineyards, 44535 Main Rd. Southold.
Only a quarter mile down Main Rd. from Mattebella is Duck Walk. Voted one of 2013’s best of Long Island, founder Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos helped start the Long Island wine industry in the early 1980’s. Tasting room open seven days a week from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Arbor View House B&B is Your Starting Point for a Self Guided North Fork Winery Tour.
Whether you are exploring Long Island wineries, relaxing on the beach and soaking up some rays, or interested the wide array of shopping, dining and art on Long Island, we can help you plan an unforgettable trip.
Check our next blog for the continuation of the North Fork winery tour guided or not..
If you are planning a trip to New York City, make sure you take a day or two to get out of the urban metropolis and visit the beautiful North End of Long Island. You can drive here in less than two hours (if you time it to avoid rush hour). You can also take the Long Island Rail Road. Greenport is the last stop and where you want to get off!
We would recommend you stay for at least one night, if not two, so you can enjoy multiple aspects of the North Fork. So the first thing to take care of is reserving yourself a room in our romantic North Fork bed and breakfast.
North Fork Wine Tours
Wow – That’s a lot of wineries for one little island!
Next for your North Fork weekend should be winery tours. If you have a car with you on the island, it is easy to transport yourself from one winery to the next in our small grape-growing region. However, if you took the train or would rather leave the driving to someone else, there are lots of tour companies that will provide not only transportation but fascinating information and insight on the Long Island wine scene. One such group is Vintage Tours, but there are others. When you make your reservations, let us know what kind of experience you are looking for and we can help you make the arrangements. Even if you would prefer a chartered car to set your own route and pace, that can be arranged.
North Fork Beaches
There are miles of glorious beaches in North Fork. Surrounded by the Peconic Bay and the Long Island Sound, you should leave yourself time for a beach picnic, bike ride or fishing trip. To enjoy many of the beaches, your car must display a valid parking permit. When in doubt, check with us and heed to the posted signs.
Check back for our next blog post all about North Beaches and our favorites!
You’ve survived the holidays and now it’s time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation to kick off the New Year right – but what to do? How about a Long Island Wine Country getaway?
