Vineyard on Long Island North Fork — Vineyard Row of Grapes

Vineyards and Wineries on the North Fork of Long Island

For the best wine on Long Island, go no farther 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 now 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. The main varietals are Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay, but 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.
The wineries of Long Island frequently have events throughout the year, such as WinterFest, in the winter months, Summer Wine Camps, North Fork Crush in June, and Wine Spectator’s Harvest East End in September. Beyond these special events, most Long Island wineries offer tastings and tours. For more information about the Long Island Wine Country.

Adirondack Chairs on the lawn of the Kontakosta vineyard — At the Kontakosta vineyard, you could sip your wine on the vineyard lawn overlooking Long Island Sound.

My Favorite Vineyards and Wineries on the North Fork of Long Island

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. There is a magnificent view on a clear day of the Long Island Sound 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.

Shelter Island day trip from NY Bed and Breakfast — Stretch your legs on one of Shelter Island’s beaches.

When it’s hot, the North Fork of Long Island is cooler than the city. There’s less concrete here to absorb the heat, and we’re surrounded by water. Deliciously cooling breezes come off Long Island Sound, Gardiner Bay, and Shelter Island Sound.
Guests always ask what is there to do out on the North Fork. One of the things we suggest is a day trip to Shelter Island.
Nearby Shelter Island makes a wonderful day trip for guests of our New York Bed and Breakfast. The ferry between Greenport and Shelter Island runs frequently, and bikes are available for rent at Piccozzi’s Garage and Bike Shop, a short walk from the ferry terminal. The island is mostly flat, so cycling is easy.
We can help you in creating a picnic for your stop at a beach at the end of Bootleggers Alley.
Both Crescent Beach and Silver Beach are great spots for swimming. The water, protected by the North and South Forks of Long Island, is calm and fairly warm.
These same sheltered waters are fun to explore in a kayak. Park your bike at Shelter Island Kayak Tours, and let them lead you on a two hour tour.
Cycle down to the 2,000-acre Mashomack Preserve on the southeast tip of the island. The Nature Conservancy maintains four trails of varying lengths and difficulty. If you’re on a bike, you may want to avoid the 11 mile trail and stick with the 1.5 mile trail to the shore.

North Fork NY Bed and Breakfast near Greenport. — Bed will feel so good after a biking around Shelter Island.

There are a few nice spots to grab a bite to eat on Shelter Island. Vine Street Café serves wonderful, seasonally-inspired food, but reservations are recommended. Ram’s Head has amazing seafood, such as Lobster Sausage and Green “Gazpacho”. Pat & Steve’s Family Restaurant is the perfect spot to grab a sandwich, and it serves pancakes all day.
You’ll be thankful for the generous breakfast Veda provided before your biking excursion, and you’ll be ready to relax once you get back to Arbor View House NY Bed and Breakfast. Even though we are not a Shelter Island Bed and Breakfast but we are not far away. Later on you may even want to take advantage of our spa services, and schedule a massage or aroma-therapy bath for that evening or the following day!

the bridge — Greenport, New York, is one of America's Prettiest Towns.

One of America’s Prettiest Towns is just a couple miles down the road from our Long Island Bed and Breakfast. It’s called Greenport, New York.
Each year, Forbes compiles a list of America’s prettiest towns. To do so, Forbes works with travel experts (from Frommer’s, Midwestern Living magazine, and Rough Guides) who scour the country in search of potential candidates for America’s Prettiest Town. They passed by the Hamptons in 2011 and found themselves in an old fishing village on the North Fork of Long Island. Greenport stands up well to the competition.
The Village of Greenport was established in 1838, though settlers were in the region as early as the mid 1640s. Shipbuilding, trade, and the whaling industry flourished for decades; in its prime, Greenport could support up to 24 whaling ships at one time. Business boomed. Goods and people from all over the world traveled between Greenport, Connecticut, and New York City by ferry and rail.
Greenport is much quieter today than it was then, but it’s economy is still largely linked to the sea. Today, people travel to Greenport to relax in a beautiful, tranquil setting. They come to stay in inns like our North Fork Long Island Bed and Breakfast, and to rediscover a slow pace of life–even if it’s only for a weekend. They visit the pretty town of Greenport, take long beach walks, and feast on local seafood.
The North Fork of Long Island is not immune to change, of course. Quite a few old tackle shops and fish huts have been transformed into art galleries, internet cafes and gourmet restaurants. Restaurants serve wine made from grapes nursed on ocean mists in local vineyards.
We appreciate these changes. What’s not to like about restaurants full of good food, art galleries full of good art, and great local wine?
Fortunately, Greenport has retained much of it’s quaint, small town charm, and it draws people who find simplicity appealing. The online editor of Frommer’s travel guide, Jazon Clampet, is quoted as saying that the Village of Greenport draws visitors who “would rather relax than star-gaze.” Mr. Clampet is referring here to stars like Meryl Streep, not stars found in constellations.
The next time you have a few days to yourself, consider heading to one of America’s Prettiest Towns. Stay in our New York Bed and Breakfast, and discover just how lovely and relaxing the North Fork of Long Island can be.
Please visit Forbes to read more about America’s Prettiest Towns.