Long Island wineries are the largest producers of European grapes in the northeast of the US. There are many wineries to be found here and they feature beautiful tasting rooms and excellent wines.
Some host special events like live music and member-only dinners and galas. Here we are going to look at 14 of the best wineries on Long Island.
1 – Bedell Cellars
Bedell Cellars is family-owned. In 1980, Kip and Susan Bedell planted their first grapes here, making them one of the first pioneers in wine growing on Long Island. In the year 2000, the Lynne family purchased Bedell Cellars.
They are committed to sustainable farming and handcraft their wine in small batches. They became famous when they served their wines at Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2013.
Their wines are hand-harvested affording precise selection. Their Malbec 2019 has flavors of sultry dark fruits like blackberry and raspberry. It is aged in oak barrels giving hints of spice.
The 2021 Viognier is crisp and fragrant and has a taste of jasmine and white peach. For a celebration, try the 2021 sparkling rose which has flavors of guava and cranberry. It is crisp and refreshing and has a touch of minerality.
Bedell Cellars offers tastings and a food menu either indoors or outside overlooking the vineyards.
2 – Macari Vineyards
Macari Vineyards is family-owned and operated. It was founded in 1995 and has a 500-acre vineyard and two tasting rooms. It uses ecologically responsible farming practices and cutting-edge viticulture.
Try their 2021 Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of lime zest and tarragon. It is light and crisp with lingering acidity.
Their tasting rooms are open year-round and offer a range of flights to taste. You can also sample the wines by the bottle or the glass. A special wine educator will guide you through the experience.
Join their wine club for quarterly shipments accompanied by tasting notes, access to small-production wines, pre-released wines, and limited vintages, complimentary tastings, private tours, and more.
3 – Borghese Vineyard and Winery
Borghese is Long Island’s first-ever vineyard and winery, having been established in 1973 by Louisa and Alex Hargrave. In 1998, the Borghese family bought the establishment and built a company through their love of wine and Italian tradition.
Their vineyard is in a macroclimate similar to the Bordeaux region of France and they grow excellent French grape varietals. Many of their wines have won awards. Try the 2020 Pinot Noir.
It is 100% Pinot Noir and has been aged in French oak barrels. Aromas are of vanilla and juniper and the flavors remind you of ripe cherry and raspberry. There are also hints of leather and pepper, with a tart, clean finish.
You can taste the wines in their sophisticated tasting rooms and meet the wine experts who will be able to tell you all about the wines produced on the estate.
Join the Borghese wine club for shipments, discounts, complimentary wine tastings, reduced admission to vineyard events, and more.
4 – Jamesport Vineyards
Jamesport Vineyards is one of the oldest wineries on the North Fork of Long Island. They produce spectacular wines such as the East End Sauvignon Blanc which is a dry, white wine with a well-balanced acidity, and the 2019 Merlot Bloc E with its velvety tannins and rich flavors of blackberry and blackcurrant.
The tasting room has a wonderful view of the wine cellar. To accompany your wine, you can order food from the Little Oak Wood Fired Kitchen. You can choose from freshly-made pizza, meatballs, and olives.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you can order a charcuterie board.
5 – Lenz Winery
Lenz Winery was established in 1988 and produces wines comparable to premium wines from California and France. Try their 2021 Firefly Rose which is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Malbec.
It is aromatic and has hints of hibiscus, watermelon, and grapefruit.
In their tasting room, you can choose a flight menu or go for their bottle menu where they offer wine by the taste, by the glass, or by the bottle. The team also arranges barbecues and farmers’ markets from time to time.
There are 3 wine clubs where you can get shipments, discounts, and complimentary tastings. The Collectors Club also offers discounted rates on events and parties and an invitation to the annual Collectors Gala.
6 – Sparkling Pointe
If you enjoy sparkling wine, you will love Sparkling Pointe. It uses estate-grown grapes to produce delicious Methode Champenoise sparkling wines. The winery is state of the art and has fully automated equipment and a laboratory.
When you visit, you will be able to tour the reserve room that holds 1700 gallons of base wines. You will be able to visit the whole production facility and then end your tour with wine tasting.
You can buy any of the sparkling wines produced here.
Join one of the wine clubs for shipments, special member benefits, and more.
7 – Palmer Vineyards
Palmer Vineyards is one of the most visible wineries on the North Fork of Long Island. It has a high reputation and has received many awards. In 1993, Bob Palmer bought a large uncultivated estate and developed it into this beautiful winery.
Now it is owned by the Massoud family. It covers 90 acres and produces more than 20 varietals.
One of their outstanding wines is the 2021 Old Roots Chardonnay which comes from some of the oldest vines in the estate. It has opulent pear and butterscotch flavors with a silk-like texture due to being aged in oak.
You can visit for a tasting of 4 wines in a flight, or you can have a glass of wine or share a bottle. You can order light bites to accompany your wines.
Join the Palmer Vineyards wine club for quarterly shipments, discounts, complimentary tastings, early access to new releases, and more.
8 – Pindar Vineyards
Pindar Vineyards is the largest vineyard on Long Island. The property covers 500 acres and produces 70,000 cases of wine a year, with 23 proprietary blends and varietals.
The vineyard is committed to sustainable agricultural practices. One of its award-winning blends is a white wine with hints of citrus blossom and honeysuckle.
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon is an Old World-style red wine with aromas of allspice and plum, and a flavor of cherry.
You can take a tour of the production facility and then have a tasting. Tasting flights include your choice of 5 wines from the tasting menu.
Join the wine club for shipments, invitations to exclusive tastings, complimentary tastings, and discounts.
9 – The Old Field Vineyards
The Old Field Vineyards is the only mother-and-daughter winery on Long Island. The family has a history in winemaking spanning 100 years and 5 generations. They grow, among others, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot, and Merlot grapes to produce excellent red, white, and sparkling wines using sustainable agricultural practices.
They produce just 800 cases of wine each year and sell directly to their customers. You can visit the winery for a tasting in their authentic tasting room. You can have a tasting of a chilled flight, red flight, or mixed flight. Also on offer is wine by the glass or the bottle.
There are 2 wine clubs to choose from offering shipments, complimentary tastings, discounts, and more.
10 – Roanoke Vineyards
Roanoke Vineyards is Long Island’s only membership winery although non-members can purchase their wines at their Love Lane shop in Mattituck.
Members have exclusive access to the 9-estate portfolio and a 95-point Cabernet Sauvignon. The Cabernet Franc is also an excellent wine with a balance between red fruits, herbs, and peppery earthiness.
It pairs well with a variety of cheeses. The 2022 Roanoke Vineyards Marco Talio Blanco is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling and is crisp and fresh. It pairs well with seafood and fresh farm produce.
Tastings include flights of 3 wines and are only open to members.
11 – McCall Vineyards
McCall Vineyards has been operating since 2007 and has produced award-winning wines. It uses sustainable and meticulous farming methods which contributes to its high-quality wines.
Try the 2018 Chardonnay Reserve which is oak-aged giving a creamy texture and a vanilla aroma. There are hints of ripe apple, almond, hazelnut, and baked pear. There is even a touch of grilled pineapple on the finish.
The tasting room is open 7 days a week and on Thursdays and Fridays, you can indulge in their burgers to accompany your wine.
12 – Rose Hill Vineyards & Inn
Rose Hill Vineyards & Inn are off the beaten track and is a lovely place to visit for a tasting. On a lovely day, you can sit outside to sample your wine overlooking the vineyards. Otherwise, you will be seated in the library for a cozy afternoon.
They are open from Thursdays to Mondays for tastings and light bites.
Rose Hill Vineyards & Inn is, as it says, an inn and you can stay at the weekend on a bed and breakfast basis. What could be better if you need to recharge in beautiful surroundings?
Join their wine club for shipments, 15% off wines, a free glass of wine if you pick up your shipment, advance ticket sales to winery events, and more.
13 – Osprey’s Dominion
The vineyards of Osprey’s Dominion cover 90 acres and Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Carmenere grapes are grown. The experienced team believes that human interference in the growing of grapes should be kept to a minimum and, as a result, they produce high-quality varietals.
Their Reserve wines are only produced when the right amounts of sun and rain give them what they need to produce a finely crafted wine.
Their Cabernet Franc is an excellent wine to try. It is fruit-forward and is a balance between red fruits, herbs, and earthiness. It has subtle shades of cinnamon, chili pepper, and roasted pepper. It is reminiscent of its Bordeaux heritage.
Tastings are held inside or outdoors on the lawn on tables with umbrellas or under the shade of a vine. You can bring your own food but they do also offer bites to enjoy with your wine.
14 – Pellegrini Vineyards
Pellegrini Vineyards have 35 acres of vineyards at their winery site as well as two additional vineyards. They produce about 185 tons of sustainably grown grapes every year which gives them 10,000 cases of wine.
They have a spectacular 2-story tasting room. It has been designed so that you can have a self-guided tour of the wine production operation before sitting down to relax and taste some of the wines.
Pellegrini Vineyards also offer indoor and outdoor space for private lunches and dinners, cheese and wine parties, bridal showers, weddings, and more.
Join their wine club for shipments, discounts, and exclusive wine club lunches, dinners, and special events.
Have a Great Wine Experience
Hopefully, we have whetted your appetite for visiting wineries on Long Island. The 14 we have talked about are amongst the best and each has something different to offer. Enjoy your exploration of Long Island wines and return home with some exceptional wines.