All great winemakers agree that some of the greatest wines are produced by vineyards situated nearby a body of water. The winemakers of North Fork, New York will cite this as the reason their wines are so special. And while the Big Apple may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of wine, you are about to be pleasantly surprised!
North Fork is an American wine region that is almost completely surrounded by water in the middle of Long Island. The wines benefit greatly from this immense natural source. The whole reason wines have become so popular and commercial in the region is because of the surrounding waters.
The other major factors in what makes North Fork wine a class above is the perfect climate and soil which make vinification of wine pleasurable for winemakers in the area. North Fork consists of farmlands as far as the eye can see, scattered with vineyards and idyllic villages.
Wine In North Fork
North Fork is known for a variety of different things including its idyllic countryside its trendy restaurants and its beautiful Hampton homes. The lifestyle of the residents and visitors is best exemplified by the area’s love for wine culture and countryside living. Surrounding the beautiful area are bodies of water as far as the eye can see.
Long Island is one of the most diverse wine vinification areas in the whole of the United States. The wine industry in the area has been growing immensely over the past few years and North Fork is at the centre of this expansion.
North Fork Wine History
North Fork has a long agricultural history and has been growing grapes and producing wines for over 100 years with the first known wine production business dating back to 1900.
North Fork is home to over 30 wineries that combined stretch over 3000 acres of land. The commonly asked question of these wineries is what wine is the area especially known to produce? The main planted grapes in the region are used to produce high volumes of Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
For visitors to the area, it is always important to know which wineries are best to visit for tastings and experience.
Let’s take a look at some of the best wineries in North Fork, New York.
Kontokosta Winery
Along with being a winery, offering wine tastings, Kontokosta doubles as a gorgeous event venue perched atop the sweeping valleys of Long Island. The winery and farm are owned by the Kontokosta family, and they have specialized in handcrafted wines for decades upon decades. The everyday involvement of the family at a ground level ensures the ripeness of grapes and the crispness of the wine.
The winery is situated at a waterfront location embracing the value of water to the vineyards on land. There is tons of outdoor space with over seating which allows over 300 guests. The winery specializes in Rose’s and Riesling amongst many others that they have on offer.
- Wine Tasting Prices: Reservation based
- Operating Hours: 11 am – 5 pm
Palmer Vineyards
Owned and operated by the Massoud family, Palmer Vineyards is found on a rolling parcel of farmland surrounded by vineyards that produce grapes for wine. The winery was founded back in 1983 by Bob Palmer, who was so proud of the wines he was producing that he decided tp put his own name on every bottle. Hence the name Palmer wines.
The wine tasting venue creates the perfect blend of relaxation and class, by providing visitors with elegant all-American wines. The farm specializes in Chardonnay and Merlot though they offer a wine of pretty much every sort for purchase. They also promote an exclusive wine club where members get big discounts on wines as well as rewards.
- Wine Tasting Prices: Reservation based
- Operating Hours: 11 am – 5 pm
Rose Hill Vineyards
The Rose Hill Vineyards wine tasting venue is set in a rustic 125-year-old barn which features vines growing down the walls and sunshine coming through the cracks in the wooden roof. The owners bear in mind the long-established farming methods of their forefathers and pay respect by keeping the wine production method simple and old-school. Rose Hill places a premium on sustainability.
The winery is surrounded by endless vistas of vineyards. Alongside the winery, they also offer accommodation in the form of a bed in breakfast situated amongst the romantic atmosphere of the wine country.
Rose Hill specializes in Merlots and Bordeaux.
- Wine Tasting Prices: $20 per person
- Operating Hours: 11 am – 6 pm
Macari Vineyards
The Macari family has a long-standing reputation in North Fork for their production of world-class wines. They established the Macari winery in 1995 although the family claim to have been making wines for years before in the basement of their house in Queens.
The farm currently offers their standard wine tasting which takes place in the modern interior of their barrelled barn. They also offer a premium experience that allows you to enter the cellar underneath the tastings. A darkly lit room surrounded by barrels and barrels of wine, sitting at a 14-seater dark wood table. There is nothing else quite like this experience in the area.
Macari Vineyards specializes in Sauvignon Blanc and Aguas.
- Wine Tasting Prices: $40 per person (booking required)
- Operating Hours: 2 pm – 5 pm
How Much Is Wine Tasting In North Fork?
The average wine tasting in North Fork is rather expensive in comparison to somewhere like Santa Ynez in California, where wineries are far more common. The average cost for wine tasting in North Fork is around $30 per person. This reflects the class and uniqueness of the wines produced in the area.
So, raise your glass and enjoy everything that this little corner of New York has to offer. From the Big Apple to the fruit of the vine, there’s a lot of fruity fun going on in this part of the world!