Guide to North Fork Vineyards

25 years ago, Long Island vineyards simply didn't exist. Agricultural areas on the North Fork (and to a lesser degree on the south fork) were know for producing potatoes, strawberries, tomatoes and other foods (they still offer some of the world's best corn and tomatoes - especially in August!).

But that all began to change in 1973 when Alex and Louisa Hargrave started a 40-acre winery in Cutchogue 1973. I interviewed the Hargraves in 1976, and they told me they had looked at land all over the U.S. and decided, based on a very scientific analysis, that the north fork had the best conditions for growing grapes - even though there wasn't a single vineyard there at the time.

Although the Hargraves have since sold their north fork winery, time has obviously proved them right. Dozens of vineyards are now operating in the area, and it's become known around the world as a place that produces fine wine, even if it may not rival California for the volume of wine produced.

It's fun touring the Long Island vineyards - many have great live music on the weekends. Most charge a nominal fee for a tasting of several of their current vintages, though some charge by the glass. Since tasting room hours can change, we suggest you contact the North Fork wineries directly about hours before you visit. Virtually all are open on weekends, but weekday and holiday schedules vary, and some close down seasonally. My other suggestion: If you plan to tour several of the wineries - bring a designated driver!
- Bob Werber

Ackerly Pond Vineyards
(631) 765-6861
1375 Peconic Lane, Peconic
www.ackerlypondvineyards.com
Merlot, Cabarnet Franc, Chardonnay, Riesling, Rose

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard
(631) 369-0100
2114 Sound Avenue, Baiting Hollow
www.bhfvineyard.com
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Rose, Red Table Wine, Chardonnay, Riesling

Bedell Cellars
(631) 734-7537
Main Road, Route 25, Cutchogue
www.bedellcellars.com
Chardonnay, Musee (a Merlot blend), various white wine blends of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Gewürztraminer and Riesling, Merlot and a red wine blend.

Castello Di Borghese
(631) 734-5111
Route 48 & Alvah's Lane, Cutchogue
www.castellodiborghese.com
Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Meritage & Petit Chateau, a house red, Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Allegra Dessert Wine & Chardonette, Rose and a house white. Olives and olive oil also sold.

Clovis Point Vineyard
(631) 722-4222
1935 Main Road, Jamesport
www.clovispointwines.com
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, several Chardonnays

Comtesse Therese
(631) 871-9194
1375 Peconic Lane, Peconic
www.comtessetherese.com
Merlot, Caberbet Sauvignon, Rose, Chardonnay

Croteaux Rose Vineyards
(631) 765-6099
1450 South Harbor Road, Southold
www.Croteaux.com
Vineyard dedicated 100% to Rose

Diliberto Vineyard & Winery
(631) 722-3416
250 Manor Lane, Jamesport
www.dilibertowinery.com
Merlot, Chardonnay, Tre (Bordeaux blend), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Duck Walk North Vineyard
(631) 765-3500
Route 25, Southold
www.duckwalk.com
Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Dessert Wine, Table Red, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio

Harbes Vineyard
(631) 298-0700
Sound Ave., Route 48, Mattituck
www.harbesfamilyfarm.com
Several Chardonnays and Merlots, Rose. Also includes a full service farm stands with fruits, vegetables and other foods.

Jamesport Vineyards
(631) 722-5256
Main Road, Route 25, Jamesport
http://www.jamesportwines.com/
Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Cinq (fruit & spice wine), Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay.

Laurel Lake Vineyards
(631) 298-1420
3165 Main Road, Route 25 Laurel
www.llwines.com
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Meritage, Pinot Noir, sparkling Moscato, Chardonnay and other wines.

The Lenz Winery
(631) 734-6010
Main Road, Route 25, Peconic
www.lenzwine.com
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Blanc de Noir, Cuvée

Lieb Family Cellar
(631) 298-1942
35 Cox Neck Road, Mattituck
www.liebcellars.com
Rose, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Macari Vineyards and Winery
(631) 298-0100
150 Bergen Avenue, Mattituck
www.macariwines.com
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Rose, Meritage, dessert wine and several red blends.

Martha Clara Vineyards
(631) 298-0075
6025 Sound Avenue, Route 48, Riverhead
www.marthaclaravineyards.com
Pinot Grigio, white blends, Riesling, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Merlot, Rose, Himmel & Ciel (dessert wines), sparkling wines.

The Old Field Vineyards
(631) 765-0004
59600 Main Road, Southold
www.theoldfield.com
Blush de Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, sparkling wine, Merlot, Rooster Tail (red blend).

Osprey Dominion Winery
(631) 765-6188
Main Road, Route 25, Peconic
www.ospreysdominion.com
Meritage, Sparkling Blanc de Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pino Noir, red table wine, Sparkling Rose Blanc.

Palmer Vineyards
(631) 722-WINE
108 Sound Avenue, Aquebogue
www.palmervineyards.com
Sparkling Brut, Merlot Cuvee, house red, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, White Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc.

Paumanok Vineyards
(631) 722-8800
1074 Main Road, Route 25, Aquebogue
www.paumanok.com
Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Riesling, Semi Dry Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, red table wine.

Peconic Bay Winery
(631) 734-7361
31320 Main Road, Route 25, Cutchogue
www.peconicbaywinery.com
Several Merlots, Cabernet Sauvignon, several Chardonnays, Riesling, Rose, dessert wines.

Pelligrini Vineyards
(631) 734-4111 ext.202
23005 Main Road, Route 25, Cutchogue
www.pellegrinivineyards.com
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rose, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc

Pindar Vineyards
(631) 734-6200
Main Road, Route 25, Peconic
www.pindar.net
Bordeaux blends, Cabernet Franc & Syrah Chardonnay Dessert Wines, table red wine, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc sparkling wine.

Pugliese Vineyards
(631) 734-4057
34876 Main Road, Route 25, Cutchogue
www.pugliesevineyards.com
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, Champagne.

Raphael
(631) 765-1100
39390 Main Road, Route 25, Peconic
www.raphaelwine.com
Merlot, Fontana, Rose of Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc

Sannino's Bella Vita Vineyard
(631) 734-8282
7490 Alvah's Lane, Cutchogue
www.sanninovineyard.com
Unusual vineyard where you can sign up to learn how to become a winemaking expert, and make your own wine from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay grapes.

Sherwood House Vineyards
(631) 298-1396
Elijah's Lane, Mattituck
www.sherwoodhousevineyards.com
Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Merliance, Blanc de Blanc, Blush Wine, red wine blends.

Shinn Estate Vineyards
(631) 804-0367
2000 Oregon Road, Mattituck
www.shinnestatevineyards.com
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc. Also has a farmhouse bed & breakfast.

Vineyard 48
(631) 734-5200
Route 48, Cutchogue
www.vineyard48winery.com
Peach Wine, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, red table wine, Merlot, Riesling.

Waters Crest Winery
(631) 734-5065
Route 48, Unit 6, Cutchogue
www.waterscrestwinery.com
Merlot, Campania Rossa, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Campania Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Chardonnay.

Greenport Harbor Brewing Company
234 Carpenter Street, Greenport
www.harborbrewing.com
You guessed it - fine beer...

Liv Vodka
(631) 630-9322
2182 Sound Avenue, Baiting Hollow
www.lispirits.com
Keeping Long Islands's reputation as a top potato producer alive with a fine potato-based vodka.