8/20/2019 Wine Country Cruising

1/1

One destination to con-

sider when cruising in the

north east should be the North

Fork on Long Island. This is an

easy jumping point to Block Is-

land, Mystic, Shelter Island,

the Hamptons and Montauk.

The North Fork is the laid back 

sister of eastern Long Island. It

has pretty villages, farm

stands, antique shops and quiet

 beaches. It also offers very

good wineries to visit. As

someone with a wine cellar and

who appreciates a good glass

of wine, I can say these wines

are on par with California and

Europe vineyards. Whether 

you are an oenophile or a per-

son who enjoys an occasional

glass of wine, a visit here is a must and it makes a

fun day trip away from the water.

Docking in wine country is easy. There are

 plenty of marinas that you can consult from your 

nautical charts or guides. Two places to consider 

docking would be in Greenport because it is a small

town with shops, boutiques and many restaurants.

The other place would be in Mattituck because it is

centrally located to the vineyards. In either location

you can arrange to be picked up and taken around or 

you can rent a car and drive around the pretty rural

roads. There are “Wine Trail” signs everywhere.

Long Island’s first vineyard started in 1973.

Today there are over 50 vineyards producing over 

500,000 cases with most on the North Fork. The

grapes grow well in this region because of very good

soil drainage, sunshine and light breezes from the

ocean that keep moisture off them.

During our visit we stopped at a four vineyards.

These included my two older favorites, Lenz and Be-

dell. We also picked one specializing in only

sparkling wine and fourth was chosen for the view.

To diversify our tasting we ended our day at a distill-

ery for local made spirits.

Bedell Cellars has been making wines for 35

years. They are proud to say their 80 acre estate is

certified sustainable. It produces over ten thousand

cases a year. Bedell has seven styles of red include

their top blend called Musee which scored a 91 in the

Wine Spectator Magazine. ( It tasted amazing!) Be-

sides blends they produce a premium merlot, Syrah,

Malbec and a Cabernet Franc. Their seven whitesinclude four blends as well as Sauvignon Blanc,

Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and a Viognier. They

also have two sparkling wines and a

refreshing dry rose. Tastings of five

estate wines is $15 while the five taste

 premium costs $20. The cost of the

taste (in a restored barn from 1919) is

a bargain considering the quality you

are getting.

Sparkling Pointe was our next

visit. Their first vintage was in 2004

with their tasting room opened in

2009. We picked this vineyard be-

cause they only produce sparkling

wines in the “méthode champenoise”or “traditional method”. Their 40 acres

 produce 5000 cases. These included

a traditional Brut (38% Chardonnay,

38% Pinot Noir, 24% Reserve Wine),

the Blanc de Blancs, (100%

Chardonnay), Brut Seduction, (57% Pinot Noir,

43% Chardonnay) and Carnival Rose (62%

Chardonnay, 28% Pinot Noir). Each sparkling wine

was vintage dated. The $17 tasting fee covers all

four bottles and is a good way to see which style of 

 bubbly you like. You will learn that Champaign is

not the only good place where one can pop a cork 

and celebrate.

Our next stop was the Kontokosta Winery.

This is a good place to bring a picnic lunch because

it a short stroll from the tasting room to a water 

view. Tastings are $14 each for five of their whites

or reds. Their whites include a blend, Chardonnay,

Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Dry Riesling. For 

reds there is a blend, two Merlots, Cabernet Franc

and Cabernet Sauvignon. Presently the produce

3500 cases but are ramping up to 5000.

Our last vineyard was Lenz. Their fine older 

vineyard produces 7000 cases annually from 67

acres. Tastings of five premium wines is $15 and $12

for estate wines. Wine produced include Old vine

Gewurztraminer, Merlot and Chardonnay, Cuvee

Sparkling, Malbec, Rose, estate Cabernet Sauvignon,

Merlot, Chardonnay, a blend and two desert wines.

There Merlot Reserve is of the best on the island.

Lenz is also a good place to bring a picnic.

Our last stop of the day was on the most

western part of the North Fork where we visited at

Long Island Spirits. (They keep later hours than

many of the wineries). Here we viewed the stills

that produce Long Island’s own small batch vodka,

 brandy, liquors, gin, bourbon and whiskey.

Tastings are $9 for any three spirits. It is $13 to taste

any two from the whisky, bourbon or brandy

selection. In each tasting you get to keep a souvenir 

glass. On the way here you will pass Briermere

Farms. Do not pass this place without picking up one

of their delicious pies.

When planning a vineyard trip go to

www.liwines.com . This sight has a list of wineries

you can visit. Many wineries offer year round events

such as art exhibition and live music. You should also

call to see which vineyards maybe pet and children

friendly. During your visit plan on filling your 

galley from the many farm stands in the area.

Getting around on your own is very easy with the

local Enterprise and Hertz car rental offices. They

will pick you up at the dock and rent you a mid-size

car for the day at $75 to $90. The web site also lists

tour companies that will do the driving for you if you

want to do more than just taste. Each winery sells

their fruits of their labor so no boat will be left high

and dry at the next happy hour on the dock. Stocking

up here will put a new meaning of farm to table

during your next cocktail hour.Wine barrels at Bedell.

 Mike and Debbie Miraglia stretching their 

sea legs in a tasting room.

Wine Country Cruising by Tab Hauser