February 15, 2022 Wilfred Joseph
Sparkling Pointe Sign

 

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 Breakfast near Greenport is just the place to stay during your East End Long Island wineries tour.

  1. Kontakosta
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.


January 19, 2018 Wilfred Joseph

 

Winterfest Long Island North Fork
The Winterfest Logo

Long Island Winterfest 2018 is weeks away, from February 22 through March 18. The mid-winter music, wine, and art festival brings big-name musical acts and special events to Long Island’s north and south forks. Local wineries, breweries, restaurants, artists, performers, and more all get in on the act. Don’t miss it!
Long Island Winterfest is an annual, multi-week music festival featuring the best jazz, blues, soul, rock, and country music east of NYC. More than just a music festival, Winterfest is also an opportunity to sample some of Long Island’s wine and food scene. Events will be held at various venues, including North Fork and South Fork vineyards, tasting rooms, craft breweries, and restaurants.



November 10, 2017 Wilfred Joseph

Greenport Shellabration 2017Come to Long Island’s North Fork, December 2nd and 3rd, to sample the best of the area’s fresh, local seafood, craft beer, and wine at Greenport Shellabration 2017!
Greenport Shellabration 2017 is an annual celebration of the bounty of the North Fork. This is Long Island wine country, after all – but that’s not all we’re known for! We also have a healthy craft beer community and our very history is built upon the amazing shellfish of Peconic Bay!



June 12, 2017 Wilfred Joseph

North Fork Trolley Wine Tours 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!



March 16, 2016 Wilfred Joseph

Top 10 Things To Do In Greenport - Antique Carousel
The Antique Carousel in Mitchell Park is just one of the Top 10 Things To Do In Greenport
Greenport Village on Long Island’s North Fork is a charming and beautiful destination for anyone looking to enjoy a Long Island getaway – but what to do? Let our list of the Top 10 Things To Do In Greenport Village help!
Long Island’s Greenport Village is always good for a getaway – whether it’s for an afternoon or for a week. Beyond the simple attraction of being located on Long Island, Greenport Village is smack dab in the middle of Long Island Wine Country. It would be very easy to spend a weekend just visiting vineyards – and you’d very likely still not get to them all!



June 1, 2015 Wilfred Joseph

Beluga Whales near Long IslandDid you hear about the sighting of three beluga whales near Long Island’s North Fork last week? Pretty exciting stuff – but we see all kinds of marine life on the North Fork!
Beluga whales primarily live in arctic waters, so seeing them this far down the Atlantic coast is a rarity. There is a small community of beluga whales that call the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada home, though. There have also been several sightings of beluga whales off the Maine coast and as far south as southern New Jersey over the last decade.



April 25, 2015 Wilfred Joseph

Railroad Museum of Long IslandTrain fans and history buffs alike will enjoy a visit to either branch (or both!) of the Railroad Museum of Long Island, located in Greenport and Riverhead, NY.
It’s natural that Greenport host a branch of the Railroad Museum of Long Island as Greenport is the reason the Long Island Railroad was built in the first place! While having a railroad on Long Island would have happened sooner or later, early Greenport’s buzz of commerce made the inevitability that much more of a going concern.



July 18, 2013 Wilfred Joseph

Do you need take a weekend to enjoy the glorious summer weather? Have you planned a trip to the seashore of Long Island? A summer in New York is simply incomplete without a weekend on the waterfront! Long Island Weekend Getaways are just what the doctor ordered. Come and join in on our North Fork Summer Winery Events and enjoy both beautiful Long Island beaches and the best wine country on the Northern seaboard.
When you come to the North Fork, your trip is easy and simple to plan. Our bed and breakfast is within walking distance of beach access and a short drive from dozens of wineries. Along with many options for guided wine tours, the summer is a great time to check out the many outdoor, music-filled events taking place along vineyards up and down Long Island. Here are a few we are looking forward to:

North Fork Summer Winery Events

Friday Happy Hour at Raphael Vineyard and Winery, 39390 Route 25, Peconic. Stop on your way into town on Friday at the winery for live music and half price glasses of wine. 5 – 8 p.m.
long-island-wine-country-eventsBossa Nova Friday Nights at Sparkling Pointe Vineyards & Winery, 39750 County Road 48, Southold. Live Bossa Nova music by Hypno Smoothie, accompanied by wine and tapas. Featuring local farm stand, Surrey Lane, with fresh local produce available for purchase. 6 – 8 p.m.
Live Music at Martha Clara Vineyards, 6025 Sound Ave, Riverhead. On Saturday August 3rd enjoy live R&B and smooth soul music from 1-5 p.m. at the Martha Clara Vineyards. Free admission – rain or shine!
Live Music at Clovis Point, 1935 Main Road, Jamesport. On Sunday August 4th enjoy country & folk rock with Joe Chojnacki of The Switch from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
This list is just a small sampling of the wide array of events, music and entertainment that is available throughout North Fork Wine Country during the summer. There is something for everyone, happening all week long. Make Arbor View House your comfortable and convenient lodging choice, in the heart of Long Island wine country.



January 27, 2013 Wilfred Joseph

Jazz on the Vine returns as the theme for the 2013 Long Island Winterfest for the sixth consecutive year. From February 9 to March 17, ( extended to March 24 due to snow storm) visit the East End of Long Island to enjoy 6 great weekends of exceptional jazz performances in winery tasting rooms. Admission prices includes a glass of wine (in most cases) and a chance to win a gift basket of Long Island wines.
Make plans to come to Long Island Wine Country this winter! Outstanding jazz music and an array of special events and offers are sure to relieve the mid-winter doldrums.
Here are some of the upcoming events on our end of the Island:
Saturday, February 9th
Clovis Point (2:30 p.m.)~ The Dread Scott Trio plays Brubeck.

Long Island Winterfest
The Clovis Point winery

“The hard-swinging group never gets too deep, which might actually be a good thing: Their music has the buoyant groove of gospel and the charming shuffle of the Big Easy on parade.” -New York Magazine
Pellegrini Vineyards (3 p.m.)~ David Allen Trio. Guitarist and composer Dave Allen is a distinctive voice on his instrument and is widely respected in the jazz community as both a player and a composer. He has released two critically acclaimed recordings, “Untold Stories” and “Real and Imagined” on the Fresh Sound label, which feature original music and a well-crafted group sound.
Raphael (4:30 p.m.)~ Mark Portugal Quartet. Mark’s tasteful and artistic approach to the drums is evident while his ability to listen and react to his bandmates has propelled him to reach great musical heights. This past summer, Mark performed with the Bakithi Kumalo band at the ‘Joy of Jazz’ festival (Johannesburg, South Africa), opening for Monty Alexander and Kurt Elling.
Waters Crest Winery (4:30 p.m.)~ Mark Elf Trio. In 1995, Elf recorded “Boppin’ at The Blue Note” with Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson, Al Grey & Red Holloway. From 1996 to 2004 on Jen Bay Records all nine of his recordings went to #1 on National Jazz Radio Charts.
Can you believe that is just one day of music during the Long Island Winterfest? Check back for more information on the performances and make sure to book your room at the Arbor View House bed and breakfast soon!