North Fork Long Island Wineries

I first began visiting the vineyard’s of Long Island’s North Fork in 1999. Since then almost a dozen wineries have joined this growing region. The distance from the city makes it a perfect day trip destination. Here are some notes I’ve taken during my trips since then:


PALMER Cute bar with lots of character and space for tasting; Great Riesling; Picnic potential outide; Home feel with great backyard covered deck and lawn table area w/umbrellas. BBQ and spread in backyard on deck; Tasting is not free ($4?) but well is worth it due to healthy pours and personalized flights (you get to create your own flight); Indoor/outdoor seating. Good first stop for tasting and lunch.


MACARI Stars for the wine and for the lovely bar and deck (I'm a big fan of decks); Very large and modern bar with lots of natural wood and great lighting. Inner patio is an even larger covered deck with looks and feel more like a restaurant. Reminds me of some wineries in Napa. Awesome Merlots, Chardonnay, and dessert wine. Picnic potential just okay.

PELLEGRINI Very nice layout; Tasting very cool, 1-2 complimentary servings plus choice of $2 and $6 flights. Wines ok. Nice but limited patio seating in back by vines. Self tour (cool); live music (sometimes); wedding/private party potential; Layout, self-tour and tasting actually worth ^½ star more (I left the star ratings off this posting).

PECONIC Charming and cozy bar; outdoor tables very nice; Lovely sweet wines, good for others and ok overall. The stars are for the charm. The extra ^½ is for the tasting: 3-4 Complimentary tastings plus two $6 flights to choose from.

PINDAR Stars for the atmosphere, spacious rectangular "island" bar and extra friendly tasting. Wine tasting (lots of choices!) is mostly free with only $4 fee for tasting reserves and is good towards purchase of any Reserve. Wines are okay to good. Backyard covered deck has tons of room for sipping and enjoying views of the vines. Big cat (Hodgeson), possibly the biggest cat I'd ever seen, passed away in 2005 :(

BEDELL Very sheik and cool looking bar/tasting room; though still homey and personal; Tasting is $5 (but when we purchased our wine, they didn’t charge us for the tasting); Friendly staff; Wines good. Very nice raspberry dessert wine.

PUGLIESE Top choice for last stop/picnic area. Very sweet pond with grassy areas for sitting under the sun or the large weeping Willow tree; very cute frogs and frolicking turtles fill the waters; Very cool vine covered seating and tables also near pond. "Champagne" tastings available; Any four wines are free to taste. Full glasses can be purchased for outdoor sipping and enjoying the grounds.