Summer is the perfect time to visit Long Island wineries. You can sample some damn fine wines, shop for fresh produce or pick your own, and stay over if you’ve had one tasting too many.
Long Island wineries are renowned for their innovative approaches to winemaking using old-world varietals and a smattering of new ones too. Many are environmentally friendly and follow organic principles in their vineyards.
Joseph T Macari Jr of Macari Winery is a prime example. Having studied biodynamic viticulture with visionary experts from California and Chile, Joseph Jr developed a complex composting system using Long Horn cattle to nourish the soil. This living soil produces healthy vines. His approach is ecological and holistic.
So, if you’re planning a trip to New York for business or pleasure, use our guide to explore Paumanok, the native American name for Long Island.
Everything you need to know about the best wineries in Long Island is right here, and we’ve even thrown in a few pet-friendly places too.
Most of the wineries are situated in the North Fork with a few on the South Fork or Hampton’s side of the peninsula. Bear in mind that many of the wineries only open in the late morning or around noon but we will specify opening times with specific listings.
Why Is Long Island Ideal For Winemaking?
With a cool maritime climate, the region produces moderate alcohol, intense aromatics, and crisp acidity helps to create world-class wines, also known as Long Island wines.
Like the classic wine area of Bordeaux in France, both forks of Long Island are surrounded by water. Vineyards next to the water are highly prized, making for a cool maritime climate with sandy soil ̶ naturally perfect for winemaking. The surrounding bodies of water of both the North and South forks temper or counterbalance both warm and cold fronts.
Long Island wineries are known for their superb reds including classic Bordeaux blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. But the winemakers have a few tricks up their sleeves and punters can find gorgeous Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc’s, Sparkling Wines and Chardonnays.
Now that we have the terroir out the way, are you ready for the best wineries in Long Island? Let’s dive right in!
10 Best Long Island Wineries
Castello di Borghese
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First up is Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery, said to be one of the oldest vineyards in Long Island. Founded in 1973 the Cabernet Franc reserve is a wonderful rich tannic red with fruity scents of cherries and plum. Their wines include reds, whites, rosé and dessert wines.
Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic basket and the hours are Monday-Saturday 11-5pm, Sunday 12-4pm. The vineyard hosts corporates, weddings and tours and they host a regular Wine Club with tastings.
Croteaux Vineyards
Second up is Croteaux Vineyards, one of America’s only vineyards that produce only rosé wines. They are produced from estate grown Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc grapes. The best bottle to buy is said to be the Jolie, full-bodied rosé with good depth, a rich pink colour and subtle flavours of chocolate and black cherries.
The vineyard is currently closed and has been since early November 2021 for the winter. They reopen again in Spring, check the website closer to Spring for more.
Jamesport Vineyards
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Jamesport Vineyards is also one of North Fork’s oldest wineries. A favourite wine is is the East End Sauvignon Blanc, a dry white wine with notes of kiwi and white peach with a well-balanced acidity.
They are open every day from 12-6pm, except Fridays and Saturdays when they close at 7pm. They have a beautiful wine tasting room that sits in full view of the wine cellar. They offer bites: Little Oak Wood Fired Kitchen is open Thursday – Monday and they offer charcuterie boards on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The winery features jazz in the vines and you can book a room. Service dogs only are allowed.
Bedell Cellars
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Next we have Bedell Cellars as another of the best wineries in Long Island. Famous for their wines served at Barack Obama’s inaugural lunch in 2013, Bedell Cellars produce a rich Malbec red wine with a bouquet of ripe cherry and red currant. This family-owned winery has a food and tasting menu and can manage groups of up to six. They are open from 11-5pm daily. Visit their Corey Creek Tap Room, Open Saturday & Sunday from 12-5pm. Groups of six or less are welcome and a music schedule is on their website.
Sparkling Pointe
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Sparkling Pointe is a winery which values sustainability. Green practices are part of their everyday operations focusing on the conservation of resources and the reduction of greenhouse gases. According to their website, measures include drip irrigation directly to the root of the vines, a state of the art Net-Zero Wine Storage Warehouse with geothermal wells and solar photovoltaic roofing together with using natural light in their beautiful tasting house thanks to large dormer windows.
Sparkling Pointe’s speciality is sparkling wines in the traditional Méthode Champenoise. Their Noir de Noirs comes from Pinot Noir grapes, is full-bodied and rich in tannins with cranberry flavours and a soft mouthfeel.
Sparkling Pointe has also introduced a Private Tasting Package for groups of 6-20 guests. The entire space may also be booked for intimate events. The tasting house overlooks 10 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier vines. Check their website for updates and details.
Macari Vineyards
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One of the larger vineyards at more than 500 acres, Macari Vineyards (dog friendly) is one of the most acclaimed wineries on Long Island. Their Bergen Road, is a complex red wine blend, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. There are all sorts of experiences and tastings which can be reserved, its best to visit their website to choose which suits your requirements. Their tasting room is open 7 days a week. Monday – Thursday 9am-5pm; Friday – Sunday, 10am-6pm. Tastings begin at 11am.
Pindar Vineyards
Pindar Vineyards (dog friendly) is a large operation run by the Damianos family for four generations. Pindar Vineyards covers more than 500 acres, 17 varieties of grapes are grown and crafted into some 23 varietals and proprietary blends. Pindar produces 70,000 cases of wine a year, making it the largest winery on Long Island.
A signature wine is Dr. Dan’s White Blend 2020, an award-winning blend with honeysuckle and citrus blossom on the nose with notes of mango and tropical fruits on the palate.
The Tasting Room is open 7 days a week from 11am to 5.30pm for tastings and 6pm for sales. They have live music on Saturdays 1.30pm to 5.30pm and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.
Lieb Cellars
Lieb Cellars (dog friendly) is also a family-run winery which has hit its stride lately. Their wines are made from 100% estate grown grapes and are gaining more accolades every year. A favoured label from the Lieb Cellars is their Reserve Pinot Blanc. Produced from some of the oldest vines on Long Island, this dry white wine is mineral, fresh and crisp with subtle notes of lemongrass, rose petals and green apples.
They are open daily from 12-7pm.
The Old Field Vineyards
The Old Field Vineyards was established in 1974, making it one of the oldest wineries in the North Fork of Long Island. With summer beckoning, try the Cacklin’ Rosé, a fun-to-drink rosé wine with strawberry and cranberry notes and a delicate acidity.
The Tasting room opens again in March on weekends from 11-5pm.
Palmer Vineyards
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Last but certainly not least one the list of the best wineries in Long Island is Palmer Vineyards. At 90 acres yielding more than 20 varietals, Palmer is one of the most awarded wineries on Long Island. Their Merlot Rosé is superb. It’s a fresh, dry rosé wine with intense spice and floral accents.
The owners, the Massoud’s, state on their website that walk-ins are accepted but the public must observe certain protocols.
Tasting room hours are Mon-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 11am-6pm and Sundays 11am-5pm. Supervised children are welcome, as are leashed dogs in the outside area.
One last thing on Palmer Vineyards, their Wine Club members are offered killer benefits such a four bottle quarterly wine shipment, generous discounts on bottle and case purchases, early access to new releases AND the list goes on. That’s a damn fine deal, by all yardsticks.
Hop on the Long Island Railroad and treat yourself and the family to a day exploring the Long Island Wineries. Santé, to life!