Wine Country Cruising

by Tab Hauser

One destination to consider when cruising in the

north east should be the North
Fork on Long Island. This is an
easy jumping point to Block Island, 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 person 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 Islands 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

Wine barrels at Bedell.

Mike and Debbie Miraglia stretching their

sea legs in a tasting room.
ocean that keep moisture off them.
During our visit we stopped at a four vineyards.
These included my two older favorites, Lenz and Bedell. 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 distillery 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!) Besides blends they produce a premium merlot, Syrah,
Malbec and a Cabernet Franc. Their seven whites
include four blends as well as Sauvignon Blanc,
Chardonnay, Gewrztraminer 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 because they only produce sparkling
wines in the mthode 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 Islands 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.