Wine
Country
TOASTING AUTUMN
/ BY NICHOLAS CHOWSKE
A
utumn on Long Island wouldn’t be complete without making a few stops on the Wine Trail. But with more than 50 wineries and vineyards to choose from, you can be hard-pressed to see them all. Here are a few highlights you won’t want to miss.
Wölffer Estate vineyard in Sagaponack turns 25 this year, and to celebrate, they’re releasing five anniversary wines. They will continue their Twilight Thursdays at the tasting room and Sunset Fridays and Saturdays at the wine stand, where guests are invited to enjoy an evening of live music and wine by the glass. And make sure you try their new No. 139 ciders, available in dry rosé and dry white. 139 Sagg Road, Sagaponack 631-537-5106 wolffer.com Nothing says celebration like a bottle of bubbly, and Sparkling Pointe , New York’s only sparkling-exclusive winery, certainly has something to celebrate. Their 2003 Brut Seduction and 2008 Blanc de Noirs became New York’s first sparkling wines to received 90 points from Wine Spectator. On Sunday, September 29, Sparkling Pointe will host the Local Oyster Showcase presented by Blue Island Oyster Company and New York Oyster Week. And their Jazz Standards and Bossa Nova Classics series continues on Sunday afternoons through October 13. 39750 County Road 48, Southold 631-7650200 sparklingpointe.com The beautiful and rustic Sannino Bella
Vita Vineyard and Bed and Breakfast is a little piece of
Tuscany nestled in Peconic. This small-scale winery produces 1,500 cases a year. Throughout the year, Sannino hosts their Winemaker for a Day, where guests can blend their own custom wine. The vineyard will host live music on September 29, and a tour on the same day. 1375 Peconic Lane, Peconic 631-734-8282 sanninovineyard.com
The Lenz Winery in Peconic has become known for its rustic, old-world style wines and their dedication to aging, since they planted DansPapers.com
their first vines on an old potato farm in 1978. 38355 Route 25, Peconic 631-734-6010 lenzwine.com In the picturesque countryside of the North Fork, rests the 200-acre Macari Vineyard . This family-owned winery has been producing award-winning wines with a careful eye to the environment and sustainability since 1995. There are two tasting rooms; the first, in Mattituck, is open year round and offers several tasting flights and wines by the glass or bottle. There are also domestic and imported cheeses to taste. Their other tasting room, in Cutchogue, is smaller and more intimate and is great for small groups and open from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily. 150 Bergen Road, Mattituck 631-298-0100 macariwines.com Tucked away on one of the North Fork’s most rural back roads, Lieb Cellars ’ Oregon Road tasting room in Cutchogue, which opened last October, is a vision of rustic chic nestled in 62 acres of vines. Lieb will host live music on Saturdays, October 5, 12 and 19. Also check out facebook.com/liebcellars for updates and information on new events and wines. Also visit their Mattituck location at 35 Cox Neck Road. 13050 Oregon Road, Cutchogue 631-7341100 liebcellars.com If you’re looking for something new this year, then you’re looking for Coffee Pot Cellars . Named for the iconic lighthouse at Orient Point, Coffee Pot Cellars has been producing small-batch, ultra-premium wine since 2008, and now this boutique winery has opened their first tasting room in Cutchogue. They are open from Friday–Monday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. See some photos and more at facebook. com/coffeepotcellars. 31855 Main Road Route 25, Cutchogue 631-765-6188 coffeepotcellars.com
Raphael , dedicated to the production of world-class, artisan-style wines, is excited to have a new winemaker, Anthony Nappa. “Long Island has a unique maritime climate and good soils for producing distinctive wines. I make wines with minimal additives and manipulation,
unadulterated and straightforward to allow the wines to shine on their own. I’m very happy to have joined the Raphael family and am looking forward to what we will create together,” Nappa says. Raphael has a great live music series, with several different acts. Check them out on September 29, October 6, 12, 13, 14, 20, 27 and through November. 39390 Route 25, Peconic 631-725-1100 raphaelwine.com
Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard grows cabernet sauvignon, merlot and riesling grapes. Since 2007, Baiting Hollow has also worked to rescue horses and nurture them back to health and exuberance. A selection of the vineyard’s wines is devoted to their horse rescue efforts, so visiting oenophiles can indulge while also helping a worthy cause. On October 4, head to the vineyard for their Comedy Night, with a buffet dinner. Proceeds benefit their horse rescue. 2114 Sound Avenue, Calverton 631-369-0100 baitinghollowfarmvineyard.com
Vineyard 48
in Cutchogue offers chardonnay, riesling, cabernet franc and merlot among their lovely selections. The winery’s large casual tasting room has a downhome and welcoming southwestern feel, and choice of 12 wine selections to sample. Vineyard 48 also offers daily tours, free food, highly recommended sangria and live music. They just relaunched their website, so make sure you check it out! 18910 County Road 48, Cutchogue 631-734-5200 vineyard48wines.com
Fish & Sips: The Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center will present their 6th Annual Fish & Sips Long Island Wine Tasting Event on Friday, November 15 from 7–10:30 p.m. Twenty local wineries will be represented, with tastings and purchase opportunities. There will also be hors d’ouevres and live music. With reservations for five or more, the designated driver gets in free! The evening is $39.95 plus tax, and there will be two giveaways: an overnight trip for two to Long Island Wine Country and a day trip for four to Long Island Wine Country. For more information, FP go to longislandaquarium.com. September 27, 2013
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