8 Best North Fork Long Island Wineries in New York

The Best North Fork Wineries

2. Bedell Cellars

This beautiful spot serves up top-notch small batch wines and sweeping vineyard views.

Kip & Susan Bedell planted the first grapes back in 1980 and helped make a name for Merlot in the region. The Lynne family took over Bedell Cellars in 2000, and today it’s run by Ninah Lynne.

The winemaker, Rich, has been with Bedell since 1983. And he played a big role in getting approval for the North Fork American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1986.

Bedell’s grapes are certified sustainable, and they recycle all the skins, seeds, and prunings back into the vineyard as fertilizer. The yeast used in fermentation is even naturally occurring, cultured from Chardonnay juice and foraged fruits, flowers, and beach stones.

Their tasting room is modern and elegant. But the real stunner is their large, covered deck that offers up 180-degree views of the vineyards.

Wines to Try

Choose from all white or all red flights that include four of their small-batch wines. You’ll find classic single-varietal wines like Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. But I also recommend trying some of their lesser-known varieties such as Melon de Bourgogne and Verdejo, a Spanish white grape variety.

Visiting Tips

Bedell is open year-round, 7 days a week. They only take walk-ins and allow groups of up to 15 people. Or you can get an in-depth look at the winemaking process by booking a cellar tour. Keep an eye on the calendar for fun events like wine dinners, live music, and on-site food trucks.

Bedell Cellars, 36225 Main Road, Cutchogue, NY

3. McCall Wines

If you’re a red wine and beef lover, McCall Wines is the place for you. IMO, this hidden gem makes some of Long Island’s best red wines. Plus, they raise their own grass-fed cattle and sell beef cuts and burgers in their shop.

The McCall family’s ties to the North Fork vineyard land date back to 1902 when their ancestor rode his horse and buggy out from Brooklyn looking for a summer home. In the mid-90s, Russell McCall saved the land from condo development, and the first vintage of McCall wine was released in 2007.

McCall has one of the largest Pinot Noir vineyards on the East Coast. Their clones come from the Willamette Valley wine region in Oregon. And all their wines are certified sustainable.

Housed in an old barn on the property, the tasting room is like stepping back in time. Reserve a spot in one of the former horse stalls, complete with pitchfork wall décor and sawdust on the floor. Or on nice days, opt for a picnic table outdoors overlooking the Merlot vines.

Wines to Try

Sample a flight of their Bordeaux and Burgundian varietal and blended wines. Or order by the glass or bottle. I’m a big fan of their Pinot Noirs and Merlots. And if you’re into Bordeaux, they also make a delicious Meritage-style wine called Ben’s Blend.

Visiting Tips

Open 7 days a week, but they shut down for a couple months in the winter. Reservations preferred but they do take walk-ins, and groups are limited to 6. They have a great selection of cheeses and charcuterie for purchase. And don’t miss burger nights during the summer!

McCall Wines, 22600 NY-25, Cutchogue, NY

Pin for Later!

4. Borghese Vineyard and Winery

This list wouldn’t be complete without the first Long Island vineyard. Planted in 1973, it was originally known as Hargrave Vineyard. But it was renamed to Borghese Vineyard in the late 90s when purchased by Ann Marie and Marco Borghese.

Marco grew up in Tuscany and was a wine enthusiast. And taking over the vineyard made his dream a reality. After the couple’s passing, their children stepped in, and Giovanni Borghese now runs the winery.

Borghese focuses on French grape varieties and wines made in an old-world style. Everything is done by hand to ensure the best quality — from the pruning to the harvesting to the labeling and bottling.

The beautiful indoor tasting room doubles as an art gallery and event venue. After sampling wines with a knowledgeable staff member, grab a glass of your favorite and head outdoors. The shaded Adirondack chairs are the perfect spot to sit and sip by the vineyard.

Wines to Try

If you’re looking to learn about your wine preferences, this is a great place to do comparative tastings. You can try a steel tank vs. a barrel-fermented Chardonnay. Or a rosé made with Pinot Noir vs. one from Merlot.

And if you’re a fan of port wine, try Afterglow, a fortified wine made from Cabernet Franc. With flavors of black cherry, dried fig, and warm spices, it’s a perfect pairing with dark chocolate.

Visiting Tips

Open 7 days a week. Walk-ins are welcome for tastings or call ahead to book a private tour. They allow outside food and winery picnics are encouraged on their lawn. Check the website for the live music schedule.

Borghese Vineyard, 17150 Rte. 48, Cutchogue, NY

5. Paumanok Vineyards

To sample award-winning wines in a serene setting, stop by Paumanok Vineyards. This family-owned winery has been named New York Winery of the Year multiple times.

Founded in 1983, Paumanok is run by Ursula and Charles Massoud, along with their three sons. Their 80 acres of vineyards are densely planted to produce more concentrated berries. And the wines are made in an old-world style from all estate-grown grapes.

Best known for their Chenin Blanc, Paumanok also specializes in Bordeaux varieties like Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Stop by the winery and tasting room, housed in a renovated barn. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will help get you settled indoors or on the deck surrounded by their estate vineyard.

Wines to Try

Pick from the winemaker flight or reserve flight. Or choose your own adventure by creating a custom flight of four wines.

Make sure you don’t miss Paumanok’s Chenin Blanc, a unique find in New York wine country. With crisp acidity, grapefruit, and tropical flavors it makes for a perfect pairing with something salty and briny like oysters.

Visiting Tips

Open 7 days a week year-round. Reservations are recommended, but they take walk-ins. No outside food or beverages, but they have a delicious food menu of snacks, sandwiches, boards, and boxes. Pets are welcome on weekdays. If you’re looking for a vineyard-side stay, check out their on-property 3-bedroom guesthouse.

Paumanok Vineyards, 1074 Main Rd, Aquebogue, NY

6. Sparkling Pointe

For all you bubbly fans, don’t miss Sparkling Pointe. True to its name, this winery is all about sparkling wines.

It all started with Cynthia and Tom Rosicki’s love of Champagne. Living on the North Fork, they realized they had a chance to make their own sparklers. They managed to snag a piece of land before it went on the market. And they brought on Gilles Martin as winemaker, who previously worked for a well-known Champagne house.

In true Champagne fashion, Sparkling Pointe grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier on the estate vineyards. And all of their bubbly is produced in the traditional method (Méthode Champenoise), where the wine goes through a secondary fermentation in the bottle.

Enjoy a guided tasting experience on the vineyard-side terrace or in the elegant, chandelier-adorned tasting room. You’ll get a personal wine guide to walk you through each pour.

Wines to Try

The Grand Tasting Flight gives you a good mix of their wine line-up. Or let your guide pick the wines with the Wine Guide’s Choice Flight. They make a beautiful Blanc de Blanc. And for rosé lovers, the Topaz Impérial Rosé is a must try.

If all the bottle popping is making you feel fancy, you can throw in an order of caviar from their food menu. Or they have a great selection of cheeses and charcuterie.

Visiting Tips

Reservations are recommended and they allow groups of up to 6. They do take walk-ins if space is available. No outside food, beverages, or dogs. On weekends, you can book a tour to get a behind-the-scenes look at their traditional method winemaking process.

Sparkling Pointe, 39750 County Rd 48, Southold, NY

7. Suhru & Lieb Cellars

If you’re looking to try some unique grape varieties along with classic still and sparkling wines, check out Suhru & Lieb Cellars.

Founded in 1992 by Mark Lieb, the winery has changed hands a few times. But it’s now owned by the original winemaker, Russell Hearn, along with his family and business partners.

The original 14-acre Pinot Blanc vineyard has grown to 3 sites with 54 acres of certified sustainable vines. And they now have two wine labels. Lieb Cellars covers classic grapes you’d expect to find in the region. Suhru Wines keeps things interesting with lesser-known varieties and winemaking styles.

Book ahead to snag a seat on the patio for prime sunset viewing. Or the picnic tables and Adirondack chairs on the lawn are first come, first served.

Wines to Try

Tasting options include all red, white & rosé, sparkling, and seasonal flights. I recommend exploring some of the unique finds from the Suhru label like the Italian variety Teroldego or hybrid La Crescent. I also enjoyed their sparkling wines. They even make a traditional method 100% Pinot Blanc sparkler.

Visiting Tips

The tasting room is open year-round. Reservations are highly recommended, but they do take walk-ins if space is available. For groups of 9-12, you can book a private tasting in the Library Room.

If you’re hungry, you can’t go wrong with their build-your-own meat and cheese board option. And check the calendar for fun events like live music Fridays and wine pairing workshops.

Suhru & Lieb Cellars, 13050 Oregon Road, Cutchogue, NY

8. Macari Vineyards

Macari Vineyards is a great spot to sample Bordeaux-style wines in an elegant space.

Joseph T. Macari Sr. was inspired by his grandfather, who made wine in their family’s basement in Queens, New York. So in 1995, he started the vineyard with his son and daughter-in-law. A true family business, three generations of the Macari family have now been involved in this vineyard.

Located on the family’s 500-acre waterfront farm, Macari was one of the first to use biodynamic practices on Long Island. And their winemaker, Byron Elmendorf, is always experimenting with creative techniques in the winery.

Our tasting was led by a Macari wine educator, who took the time to go in-depth on each wine. Seated on their huge covered deck, we enjoyed sampling and snacking while taking in the gorgeous views.

Wines to Try

Seasonal tastings include a flight of five wines. Plus, you can add extra tastings, glasses, or bottles to your experience from their wine list.

Macari’s top wines are Bordeaux-style blends, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot-based options. But they also make a great single varietal Cabernet Franc. Plus, the Sparkling Horses rosé is a fun find with its fresh red berry flavors.

Visiting Tips

The Mattituck tasting room is open year-round 7 days a week. Reservations are required for seated tastings, or their nearby Meadowlark wine bar welcomes walk-ins.

You can also book tastings in their underground cellar or reserve the rosé-themed suite for your special event. The winery is dog and family-friendly. Plus, the offer a menu of snacks to pair with your wines.

Macari Vineyards, 150 Bergen Ave, Mattituck, NY

FAQs About Visiting North Fork Wineries

If you’re coming from the north, the Cross Sound Ferry will take you (and your car) from New London, CT to Orient, NY at the tip of the North Fork.