A Day Trip to the North Fork…for Wine ~ Guest Post by Aylin Amore

For the past five years, I have been lucky enough to spend time escaping to the Hamptons, made up of both the North Fork and the South Fork. Where we stay is located at the beginning of the South Fork, which permits us to easily explore both Forks, each worthy of a day trip. Both are quintessentially “Hamptons” and capture the pleasures of “the good life”: filled with beauty, nature, wine, food, farms, and unique stores.

While their offering is similar, the difference in how you live it is as vast as the three bays that separate the two Forks of Long Island, New York.  You deserve to experience both and explore a day trip to each. This post details options for a lovely day trip to the North Fork, but will soon be followed by an itinerary for a day trip to the chic South Fork.

“A Cloudy Day at the Beach” by John St. John licensed under CC 2.0 available by clicking here

A Day in the North Fork

This narrow 25-mile split of land that extends into the Atlantic Ocean is a throwback to a Norman Rockwell painting. The type of Americana we hold dear in our hearts is characterized by American flags swaying in the breeze, small family-owned farms dotting the landscape, white steeple churches, charming farm stands, 3,000 acres of vines spread across 39 vineyards, sailboats, and gorgeous garden shops. It is utterly bucolic and you feel so good in your skin when you are out on the North Fork.

Below are my favorite “insider” wineries to visit. Based on your goals, you can build your trip out as you see fit. When we go, we typically do a little fruit picking or stop off at some farm stands before going to a winery, enjoy a lunch out, try another winery and then end the day by getting a pie which makes the car ride home delightful.

“Vineyard” by Joe Shlabtonik licensed under CC 2.0 available by clicking here

Favorite North Fork Wineries

With 39 wineries to choose from, the North Fork offers the most wineries in any part of Long Island. It is New York’s “wine country.” Most of the wineries offer picturesque tasting rooms and terraces, food to purchase, and many have live entertainment on the weekends.

The Hamptons is an experiential place where much of the joy comes from the physical surroundings and our senses. Enjoy it with some Long Island wine and it will be even better.

My favorite wineries are Paumanok Vineyards, Macari Vineyards, and Shinn Estate & Farmhouse.  These wineries offer high quality, well-made wine in a great environment meant for you to get a table, order a tasting flight, enjoy some salamis or local oysters. I have been dazzled by the quality of the wine here.  Local seafood is featured heavily on menus in the North Fork, and many say you can even taste the sea brine in some of the wines. On the North Fork, you will find a nice offering of whites like Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc as well as powerful reds like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux blends.

Paumanok Vineyards (1074 Main Rd., Aquebobogue, NY)  – One of the first vineyards on Long Island, Paumanok opened in 1983 and is home to the locally famous winemaker/owner Charles Massoud, credited with helping ignite the wine scene on Long Island. This vineyard has a large indoor tasting room where you can choose from one of many wine flights and then head out to their outdoor terrace overlooking rows of grapevines. They also have a raw bar with local oysters.

I particularly enjoy their red Bordeaux blends (made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc) and their spicy violet and pepper-scented Cabernet Franc. They also have a solid offering of white wines and, while a little out of the ordinary, their Chenin Blanc is very good.

“Paumanok Library Wines Tasting” by DanCostin licensed under cc 2.0 is available by clicking here

Macari Vineyards (150 Bergen Ave., Mattituck, NY)  – This is a second generation, family-owned vineyard that has elegant red and white wines.  The tasting room is large, with a nice wooden bar area, shop, and covered outdoor patio where you can take in a glass of wine and food you purchased at the shop.

Macari wines are Old World style wines produced in the New World. You literally taste the confluence of the two styles blending together. There are many notable premium red wines and their Bergen Road 2010 has received much praise from well-known wine critics like Robert Parker.  My favorite red Macari wine is the Merlot Reserve, which smells as if St. Emilion has converged with Long Island. Other favorites include the Macari Dos Aguas that has honeysuckle and grapefruit on the nose and is a Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay blend. Don’t overlook the Collina Chardonnay, which is a multi-vintage, great value table wine.

“Macari Vineyards” by Joe Shlabotnik licensed under CC 2.0 available by clicking here

Shinn Estate Vineyards & Farmhouse (2000 Oregon Rd., Mattituck, NY) – This winery, also a Farmhouse Inn, offers rooms situated in a breathtaking setting. The tasting room and outdoor seating area provide an enclosed oasis where you could comfortably linger for a while and feel like you are truly on vacation. If there’s a place I would like to go sit at a bar or table with friends and share a bottle it is this place.  While I’ve enjoyed tasting the wines, the setting truly shines.

Swirl, sip, sigh. ~ Aylin Amore

After you spend time enjoying wine from the North Fork, you’ll want to visit a market, restaurant, or shop.  Click here for Aylin’s favorite places!

Note: Guest Blogger, Aylin Amore, is the creative behind Mommelier, her blog that explores the vast world of wine, motherhood, cooking, and wine tourism.