In New York, wine is everywhere. Bars, bottle shops, and restaurants featuring world-class wine lists pepper NYC’s five boroughs. But the burgeoning wine scene doesn’t end in the city. There are plenty of great Long Island wineries to explore, as well.
Starting about 80 miles east of Manhattan, a string of tasting rooms, estates, and wineries churning out chardonnay, riesling, cabernet franc, merlot, and other varieties dot Long Island’s East End, specifically the North Fork and the South Fork, also known as the Hamptons.
The pioneers were Alex and Louisa Hargrave, who planted the first vines on the island in 1973. Fast forward nearly 50 years later, and Long Island has become one of the top wine-producing states in the US, featuring approximately 2,500 acres of grapes and more than 90 wineries and tasting rooms.
Whether you want to spend an afternoon sharing a bottle or extend your stay and explore the region, we curated a list of the best Long Island wineries for wine-loving travelers. Just don’t forget to pick a designated driver.
Bedell Cellars
This 32-acre vineyard and winery in Cutchogue is certified sustainable, handcrafting wines in small batches and abiding by a checklist of 200 best practices for farming sustainably on Long Island.
Bedell’s “Gallery,” an oaky white wine mingling chardonnay, viognier, and sauvignon blanc, is a fan favorite. Meanwhile, the melon de bourgogne highlights a lovely minerality, and the albariño offers stone fruit and almond, with excellent acidity. But perhaps Bedell Cellars’ most celebrated wine is “Musée,” an upscale, complex red made from a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot. Wine Spectator said this wine “has become something of a grand vin of New York.”
Nearby, Corey Creek Tap Room is Bedell’s sister location in Southold. Like Bedell, this alluring property provides plenty of outdoor space and stunning vineyard views. The rosé and white wines here are produced in small batches and available on tap rather than out of a bottle.
Osprey’s Dominion
This Peconic tasting room is the place for a fun afternoon paired with great wines. Promising a wide variety to choose from, Osprey’s Dominion produces reds, whites, rosés, spice wine, and port, but its red wines are undoubtedly the stars. The brand’s cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and meritage––a blend of 88% cabernet franc and 12% merlot––are arguably some of the best New York state reds you’ll taste.
The property features a generous space to sample wine inside but it’s also one of the best Long Island wineries with outdoor seating. Expect a large area outside for eating, sipping, and listening to live music on weekends.
On Saturdays and Sundays, try to arrive close to opening at 11 a.m. Otherwise, securing parking and a station to taste can be tricky. Regardless of when you go, the service is top-notch at this North Fork winery. Part of the attraction at Osprey’s Dominion is its casual demeanor. You won’t find any wine attitude here.
Lenz Winery
Lenz is a Long Island wine country veteran. Making wine since 1978, the family-owned producer is one of the earliest wineries on the North Fork and presses juice from 40-year-old vines. This pretty estate is marked by an early 1900s potato barn tasting room and gorgeous grounds with plenty of sunny and shady nooks for wine drinking.
Lenz winemaker Tom Spotteck gravitates toward the less is more approach, believing in low intervention wines to allow the grape and Long Island terroir to shine. Regarding varieties, Lenz cultivates a diverse selection of grapes on its 70-acre estate. From pinot gris and gewurztraminer to malbec, merlot, and cabernet franc, there’s a wine for everyone at Lenz.
Croteaux Vineyards
The only dedicated rosé winery in the United States, Croteaux Vineyards is a lovely little gem tucked among lush farmland in Southold. The tasting room is charming but tiny, so folks gather outside in a lush garden to sample and sip, rain or shine.
Expect both still and sparkling rosés crafted from sauvignon blanc, merlot, and cabernet franc, all dry, crisp, and quite quaffable on a warm afternoon. The winery also serves a variety of light fare that pairs beautifully with rosé.
Croteaux Vineyards doesn’t accept reservations, and seating in the garden is first come, first served. That said, try and arrive early to secure a spot for a tasting.
Insider’s Tip: Check out our list of 9 amazing eateries worth leaving NYC for – many of which are located in Long Island!
Rose Hill Vineyards
Formerly Shinn Vineyards, this gorgeous parcel in Mattituck houses a winery, tasting room in a 125-year-old barn, vineyards, and a historic bed and breakfast.
At Rose Hill Vineyards, tasting flights are available, as are glasses and bottles of wine, and brandy alongside light bites. Wines range from a steel-fermented chardonnay to a bubbly rosé to the “Wild Boar Doe,” a robust Bordeaux-style blend.
Besides making delicious wines, Rose Hill keeps sustainability top of mind in its winemaking. Veteran vintner David Caserta uses a biodynamic approach, and the winery is powered by alternative energy, a practice that began under the previous owners.
Wölffer Estate Vineyard
The swoon-worthy tasting room is reason enough to visit Wölffer Estate. One of the most picturesque Long Island wineries, Wölffer Estate boasts a rustic-chic interior characterized by wood trusses and wide plank floors, leather banquettes, wrought iron chandeliers, and tons of natural light. There is also plenty of outdoor space overlooking acres of lush vines.
Set in Sagaponack on the South Fork or Hamptons side of Long Island wine country, Wölffer features an impressive lineup of 90-point and up bottles. Examples include the ‘Summer in a Bottle’ Long Island rosé 2021, the ‘Grapes of Roth’ dry riesling 2020, and the ‘Caya’ cabernet franc 2019.
This winery draws the crowds, meaning it’s one of the places to go in summer. It becomes especially popular as evening draws near and the sun is about to gracefully set, leaving a kaleidoscope of color over the vines. For tastings, walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are highly recommended. The team accepts appointments for two to ten people up to two weeks in advance.
Paumanok Vineyards
Located in the hamlet of Aquebogue, Paumanok has been owned by the Massoud family since 1983. This producer is highly respected for its Bordeaux-style blends, fusing cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot for a luscious, full-bodied red. But the winery’s white wines are also excellent. Paumanok is the only Long Island winery growing and making chenin blanc, which receives rave reviews.
While reservations are optional, it’s best to call ahead since space inside the tasting room is limited. On a pleasant day, order a flight and head to the outdoor deck to soak in the sunshine and admire the vineyards. Since this winery implements quite a few rules––they take their wines seriously––read the website before making the trip.
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Tracy Kaler is a freelance journalist focused on travel, food, wine, and design. She fell in love with New York as a child and began writing about the city when she moved there in 2007. When Tracy’s not glued to her laptop, she’s likely planning her next food-filled adventure, uncorking a bottle of red, or wandering the streets of NYC.
