CorkSavvy

Looking for something fun and different to do on a beautiful fall day? Consider taking a scenic drive through bucolic landscapes infused with the smells and colors of autumn with your destination being the North Fork of Long Island Wineries about 75 miles from Manhattan. The North Fork Promotion Council refers to the North Fork as “The Other Long Island” and states: "Whether you have a day, weekend, or lifetime to spare, the North Fork is the perfect place to live and play.” The North Fork juts into the Long Island Sound and is separated from the famous Hamptons Beach Towns by the Peconic Bay. In total, the peninsula is only about 30 miles in length. Proximity to Manhattan makes the North Fork a fun and easy one day wine tour for many people in the New York Metropolitan area. With New York being the third largest wine producing state in the US, the North Fork is a good introduction to the many wineries, markets and restaurants that New York wine regions have to offer.

In the last 25 years, the wine industry in the region has grown from one small vineyard to over 3000 acres of vines and over 50 wineries (30 of which are producing world–class wines). Blessed with ideal geography, soil characteristics and maritime climate providing ideal conditions for producing wines of exceptional quality. It is interesting to note that its climate parallels that of Bordeaux, France. Over 1 Million gallons of wine are produced from this region annually. The wineries can be divided into a number of categories: the long time players, the newcomers and the sustainable/organic vineyards.

The older vineyards include some very recognizable names like Castello di Borghese in Cutchoque, NY which specializes in Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc and has the oldest vines in the region; Pindar in Peconic, NY is the largest Long Island Vineyard producing 70,00 cases of wine a year, founded by Dr. Dan Damianos a practicing physician; Bedell Cellars in Cutchoque, NY with award winning wines and labels commissioned by leading artists; and Pellegrini Vineyards in Cutchoque, NY specializing in Chardonnay and Merlot.

Some of the newer vineyards include: Croteaux Vineyards in Southold, NY the oldest town in New York State dating back to 1640, they are “dedicated to making dry, fruity, fun to drink pink wines styled after those made in the South of France for centuries;” One Woman Vineyard in Southold, NY planted almost singlehandedly by Claudia Purita originally from Calabria, Italy specializing in Chardonnay, Rose, and Gewurztraminer wines; Sparkling Pointe in Southold, NY opening in the summer of 2009 and the only winery in New York State devoted exclusively to the production of sparkling wines; and Jason’s Vineyard in Jamesport, NY known for its perfected Meritage blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vineyards with a heavy focus on sustainable and organic farming are: Shinn Estate Vineyard in Mattituck, NY whose red plantings include Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec and whose white plantings include Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Pinot Blanc; Macari Vineyards in Mattituck, NY who was awarded Gold for their Marconi 2005 Block E Chardonnay at the International Wine & Spirits Competition 2009;  and Jamesport Vineyards in Jamesport, NY known for their signature Bordeaux-style red blend called Melange de Trois made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

The North Fork Vineyards that are particularly family-friendly are Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead, NY with a petting zoo; Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard in Mattituck, NY with its Wild West Corn Maze and hay rides; and Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards in Peconic, NY with picnic grounds and live concerts.

The day would not be complete without visiting Briermere Farm for fresh pies and produce, or Catapano Dairy Farm which specializes in goat’s milk cheeses, and beauty products made from goat’s milk or Wickham’s Fruit Farm where you can pick your own fruits and purchase jams and baked goods and other farm produce.

For more photos, check out CorkSavvy on Flickr.