Best Long Island Wineries to Visit

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The top Long Island wineries have beautiful tasting rooms, events such as live music, and plenty of great picnic places. Vineyards have been popping up along the south and north forks since 1973, when Louisa and Alex Hargrave founded their eponymous winery that would later become Castello di Borghese. Today’s region is home to significant producers operating from several locations and promising newcomers that produce great wines in tiny quantities.

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard

The Kelly family’s well-appointed taste room on a 19th-century farm in Calverton attracts guests to various things to do, such as wine tastings like the Red Velvet Bordeaux blend and live music on weekends. Reservations are highly recommended. BHFV tastings start at just $11.

Bedell

Film ( Lord of the Rings) producer Michael Lynne and his wife, Ninah, purchased this pioneering Cutchogue winery in 2000 and helped it reach new levels. His collection of contemporary art (including artworks commissioned for Artist Label) Artist Label series) graces the walls of the stunning white-framed tasting room that offers a range of flight (from $15)) or by-the-glass ($6) tasting choices. The most well-known are the Merlots. However, make sure to try those Viogniers or Gallery Whites. Reservations are not allowed.

Castello di Borghese

There’s no official “castle” here, but the Borghese family, who owns the property, claims Italian noble origins. The stylish and welcoming tasting room inside an old Potato barn inside Cutchogue has stunning rotating art exhibits and special events like the Saturday evening oyster and Sauvignon Blanc pairings. Try the Reserve-level reds. You can also contact them for regular private tours.

Channing Daughters

A winery that sets the standard for Long Island and a rare outpost of a vinous winery in the expensive South Fork acres of Bridgehampton Channing’s vineyards at home date back to 1982. Visitors to the spruce-lined floored tasting room can sample 5 wines (for $28). It’s a problematic selection given that the winery makes bottles of more than two dozen varieties, including notable outliers such as Tocai Friincludingufrankisch.

It is a significant operation well-funded by the Damianos family, which also owns Pindar and Jason’s Vineyard. Duck Walk is in two places: the flagship (and winery) in Water Mill and a tasting room in Southold. Both have live music on weekends and various special occasions (including bike tours of the wine region starting from Water Mill). Most well-known for their Merlots as well as Chardonnays. Duck Walk is also the producer of an uncommon blueberry port. duckwalk.com

Jamesport

The small, high-end winery established by a father-son pair consisting of Ron Goerler Sr. and Jr. is a popular destination for its premium Merlots, Syrahs, and Rieslings and also for the relaxed atmosphere of its back lawn tasting area in the good weather. It also has indoor seating in the 165-year-old building. The cost of flights starts at $25. Look on the website for upcoming special events and tours.

Lenz

An entirely estate-produced winery, Lenz boasts some of the oldest vines on Long Island. It is one of the most prestigious North Fork wineries due to longtime winemaker Eric Fry’s unique approach to wines ranging from sparkling to Cabernet. The Peconic tasting room is a great place to enjoy multiple wine tastings (starting at just $25) and a top tasting with sips of the oldest wines that are only available members of Lenz members.

Lieb Cellars

One of the top regional vineyards, Lieb offers visitors various options, including two tasting rooms. One is the “rustic chic” stop at the Lieb facility in Cutchogue; the other is more “urban chic” in Mattituck and is dedicated to Lieb’s less expensive Bridge Lane range. Both host various events, with live music regularly and private tastings on request. Check out Lieb’s Reserve bottlings, including Meritage red and Pinot Blanc. Pinot Blanc, as well as Meritage red.

Macari

It is believed that the Macari family has owned a 500-acre Mattituck waterfront for over a century. Its vineyards are shared with Texas Longhorns, Sicilian donkeys, and other animals. Visitors to the tasting room can select from wine flights or wines by the glass and pair them with artisanal cheese and charcuterie (reservations necessary). The best red blends from Bergen Road have developed a following.

McCall

The family-owned boutique operation located in Cutchogue has produced wine since 2007. However, it has made its mark by creating one of the most sought-after grapes in the world: Pinot Noir. French winemaker Gilles Martin and California cult celebrity Bob Cabral produce Pinots, unlike other producers in Long Island, and notable Bordeaux-style reds, too. The stylish and rustic tasting room is situated in the former stable of a horse.

The Old Field

They are an old area in Southold cultivated for centuries by Native Americans, then by European colonists, and finally under the control of the current family proprietor, Christian Baiz, three generations back. The sparkling blanc noirs are a significant attraction at the charming tasting room (check the website for current opening hours). Also, those of Chardonnays and the Pinots. Plan for tastings at the bay in summer ($30), during which Baiz hosts small, intimate tastings on weekends.

Osprey’s Dominion

The Long Island winery offers one of the most relaxed tasting experiences — and among the few wineries that allow guests to bring picnics, Osprey’s Dominion features a large, spacious indoor tasting room and a party on the lawn during summer, complete with a wine bar outside and games. There’s live music every weekend also. Find out the time of the season. Alsatian-style wine such as Edelzwicker, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer is a specialty.

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