Best Long Island wineries
We know that there’s no shortage of wine bars, wine shops, and restaurants with award-winning wine lists in New York City, but if you venture a few hours outside NYC, you’ll discover a fantastic selection of wines on the East End. In fact, the North Fork of Long Island is teeming with some of the state’s best wineries, and you’ll find a handful of vineyards on the South Fork (Hamptons side) too.
Some of the tasting rooms allow dogs, most sell snacks and/or allow you to bring your own food, and many provide free live music on weekends –– you just have to drink wine while you listen. Here, some of my favorite wine drinking spots.
Jamesport Vineyards
A fruity Sauvignon Blanc or a buttery but not too oaky Chardonnay is what you’d catch me drinking at Jamesport Vineyards. Beyond the wines, the property is lovely! In warm weather, I prefer to sit on the lawn sipping and listening to tunes and indulging in a brick oven pizza that rivals some of the city’s best.
Dog-friendly? Yes. Outside food? No, but Jamesport serves oysters and pizzas in the summer, and cheese plates year-round.
Wölffer Estate
The only vineyard I’ve visited on the South Fork, Wölffer’s property is one of my absolute favorites. Inside and out, the space is magnificent. I’m particularly fond of the white and rosé wines, but Wölffer also produces reds, as well as white and rosé ciders. Expect a “scene” in the summertime –– Wölffer is in the heart of the Hamptons, after all. Saturdays can get especially crowded in the evening when people gather to watch the sunset. It’s pretty magical.
Dog-friendly? Yes. Outside food? No, but Wölffer sells cheese and charcuterie plates.
Roanoke Vineyards
While I’ve yet to visit the vineyard, I’ve tasted and purchased several reds and the rosé from Roanoke’s Love Lane tasting room. Compact but comfy with a relaxed vibe, the space is a perfect stopover before or after shopping at the Village Cheese Shop or Lombardi’s Market. Roanoke’s reds are some of my favorite on the East End, and if Mother Nature is in a good mood, you can taste out front or on the rear patio.
Dog-friendly? Only outside, which is charming, but since it’s in Mattituck’s downtown area, it doesn’t come with a view like the vineyards. Outside food? Yes, and you have markets a hop, skip, and jump from the tasting room.
Osprey’s Dominion
I’ve been a member of Osprey’s wine club for a few years now, as the wines are stellar and the service is always friendly. I like all of their wines, but the Cab Franc and Merlot are go-to bottles. The Meritage is also outstanding. Since Osprey’s property is large, expect crowds on the weekends when the weather cooperates (especially on Saturdays), but you can almost always grab a seat outside in the sun.
Dog-friendly? Very! Outside food? On the deck and lawn, but not in the tasting room.
Paumonok
I can’t say enough about Paumonok’s winemaking style. From the rosé to dry riesling, to the everyday drinking Festival Red and the Assemblage (a blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 18% Petit Verdot), I love them all. The tasting room is on the smaller side, but I spend my time outside on the deck. Every day I visit Paumonok, it’s a good day.
Dog-friendly? On the deck only. Outside food? No, but Paumonok serves cheese and charcuterie year-round and oysters in the summer.
Corey Creek
A small tasting room and sprawling vineyard that’s ideal for quaffing a bottle with friends on a relaxing afternoon, Corey Creek is the sister winery to Bedell Cellars. I’m especially fond of the Taste Rosé, but the reds are easy sipping too. All of Bedell’s wines are excellent, and you’ll have an array of choices from red to white to bubbly. You can bring lunch and sit on the covered porch or out on the lawn and catch a few rays while you nosh and taste.
Dog-friendly? On the porch and lawn. Outside food? Anywhere outside.
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Macari Vinyards
I’m a huge fan of all things Macari. Not only are the wines top-notch but the staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. I’ve been visiting Macari for years, and I often see the same faces at the Mattituck location (there’s a more intimate tasting room in Cutchogue). The grounds are beautiful as well, so park yourself on the deck for a tasting.
Dog-friendly? Very. Outside food? For picnicking outside the tasting room. Inside, you can purchase cheese plates and snacks.
Sherwood House
At Sherwood House, the staff is super accommodating (are you seeing a pattern here? Long Islanders are a friendly bunch), and after only one visit, you’ll feel at home here. SH offers live music on Saturdays during all four seasons, and the wines make for great afternoon sips. The building is a shingle-style 1870’s farmhouse with a front patio and back deck. It’s my favorite wine tasting spot on Long Island. The cozy tasting room typically hosts a lively crowd – we’ve met some great people at Sherwood House.
Dog-friendly? Yes, outside. Outside food? No, but you can purchase cheese plates, and Sherwood shucks oysters every summer.
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Aren’t you in the mood to drink a glass of Long Island wine? I am. I’d love to know your favorite wines and wineries on Long Island! This list is not comprehensive, as there are many more excellent places to taste wine on the East End. For more info on Long Island wineries, visit the website.
Roanoke tasting room photo by Asaco C. via Yelp.
Also, food, wine, and sunsets on the North Fork. Plus, Sag Harbor. And two great Hamptons recipes.
And rosé – a wine that can be enjoyed all year long.
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Pablo Zapata says
Hello Tracy, how are you?
I´ve been a reader of your blog for the last 2 years.
I am from Argentina, but my wife and i have been in NY several times, since we are in love with the city.
Regarding the wineries in long island, my question is: You need a car to get there and move between those wineries you have listed?
Or, is is possible to get there by train or bus and then move there without having a car?
Could you please share what you think is the best way to get and move in the north and south fork of Long island?
Thank you very much in advance
Sincereley
Pablo
Tracy Kaler says
Hi Pablo! Good to hear from you. It’s best to have a car and do a weekend trip or go for a few days during the week. You can hire a car for a day trip if you plan on drinking a lot, or take the jitney, but you’ll still need to get around when you’re there.
The wineries span miles, and the drive from the North Fork to the South Fork is long…like 45 minutes to an hour, depending on where you start and finish. Look at this link to help you with transportation options as well as lodging and locations: http://www.liwines.com/community-members/
If you come to NYC for an extended stay, I recommend checking out the wineries on Long Island. The North Fork is one of my favorite places on earth. I think you’d love it. 🙂
Phil Holtberg says
Love it out there. Can’t wait for the real nice weather to hit up the wineries.
Tracy Kaler says
Hey Phil! My husband I go out there all year long. We love it in the winter because it’s not as busy, but the warm weather months are the best. 🙂
Wendy Barrett says
Hi Tracey, I discovered your blog some months back and really love your posts about NYC. I will be visiting in May from Australia and had been thinking it would be great to do a day trip to rural Long Island. So it is lovely to see these photos – I hadn’t realised that there was a wine region on Long Island. To be honest I hadn’t even known that The Hamptons were on Long Island either until I began to look more closely at maps of the area. There is nothing like travelling to get a better grasp of geography! Thanks for all your info!
Tracy Kaler says
Hi Wendy! Thanks for your comment…lovely to meet you. I think you should do a day trip if you have the time. You do not have to drive if you don’t want to. Take a look here: http://www.liwines.com/community-members/ Yes the Hamptons are on the East End of Long Island, along with the North Fork. The island splits at the end, and one fork is the north and the other is the south. They are very different but both are spectacular. The Hamptons will have a lot of traffic in summer though. If you are there before Memorial Day, it won’t be so bad. Definitely worth a trip, maybe even an overnight stay. 🙂 Happy to helpl!
Wendy Barrett says
Thanks so much for the link and info Tracy! A tour would certainly be the way to go for me. I wouldn’t inflict myself on your traffic system. We drive on the left hand side of the road here and I have never been brave enough to try driving on the right when visiting other countries!
Tracy Kaler says
Sure thing. I understand. We rented a car in Barbados and driving on the other side of the road can be stressful!
Fahrradliebhaber says
I see only one problem. Driving and drinking is a no go for me. Just too many crosses near the streets of Long Island.
Barry says
Is there a wine (or winery) on Long Island that you don’t care for? This was not so much a review as it was a great big puff piece, and not particularly helpful.
You should check out the wines @ Channing Daughters. Lots of interesting and rare varietals that will take you off the beaten track, and imaginative art work on the grounds.
Tracy Kaler says
This wasn’t a “review” but rather a selection of my favorite wineries so readers could try the wines for themselves. Sorry you didn’t find the piece helpful. It’s meant to be a brief guide to some of the East End’s top spots but it’s by no means a comprehensive list. There are many other vineyards to check out, which is why I linked to the site at the end of the article.