I have lived in New York City for close to a decade and can you believe I have not been out to any wineries on Long Island? I am always surprised myself how quickly the seasons fly by and I have not yet made it out there for a wine tasting day. I always say I am going to go, but as an event planner, every season is busy season except January, so it makes it difficult for me to take an entire day away. Luckily with wine, you can always visit some amazing vineyards “in the glass” and I was so happy to receive some amazing wines thanks to these incredible Long Island Wineries.

In case you are unfamiliar with where wine grows in Long Island, this wine country extends east from New York City ending in the towns of Greenport, which is to the north, and Montauk, to the south. There is a lot of wine growing out in Long Island and it’s amazing to see how these wines have really come into their own and are gaining momentum. These wines are not just to sip when you’re out visiting the wineries, they’re really enjoyable for all occasions.
The unique terroir and area the vines grow in, combined with the influence of the naturally sandy soils have created a style of wine that’s really intriguing, fun, and easy to drink. For many years Long Island has attracted many journalists and tourists and now tasting these wines it’s no wonder, they’re awesome! The styles range from Sparkling wines which are youthful and vibrant to whites that pair beautifully with the fresh seafood. You’ll find some really fun rosés which are deeper in color and great year round. You can also find great red wines made in more of an old world style that can be served with or without a chill!
Some of the wonderful Long Island wines I got to sip this season were from wineries I knew or have tasted before as well as some new ones I had never had. The 2020 Macari Sauvignon Blanc is bright and refreshing with a nice zesty mouthfeel. It goes great with cheeses, especially creamier ones but since it was winter, I wanted it with a baked cheese, so I made a Baked Ricotta with Peaches, Basil, and Pancetta!
The Palmer Vineyards 2019 Pinot Blanc is full of pineapple, some baking spice and some playful tropical notes. This is a fun wine especially for a Sunday afternoon when you have some tapas to share with the ones you love. This goes great with Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Crab Cakes, Burrata, and more.
Sannino Vineyards makes a Chilly Day Chardonnay thats said to cheer up any cold day. It’s dry and unoaked which I tend to love especially for brunch and it’s an ideal fondue wine if you enjoy a nice fondue on a chilly winter day. I would make some confit potatoes, toast some baguette, get out the kielbasa, and melt the cheese for an ultimate pairing evening.
The Lenz Winery 2015 Merlot was one I couldn’t wait to try. I absolutely love merlot and this one was perfectly balanced and great for everyday drinking. This one is ideal for takeout, which in NYC happens a lot, so pizza night with this wine would pair perfectly together! It’s deep and fruit forward with some nice spice on the nose. The palate is wonderfully delicious with a long finish thats great also with grilled meats, Chinese take-out, Greek cuisine, and more.
Another amazing wine from the lineup was the 2019 Rose Hill “Wild Boar Doe” which is a Bordeaux blend with notes of blackberries, dark plums, violets, baking spice and some cooked fruit. This wine is great for dishes such as Short Ribs because of its full body and beautiful finish. You could also pair this with something hearty like a Risotto as well or even Truffle Pasta!
Now these wines are simply a small selection of wines you can find from the North Fork of Long Island. Each winery produces a number of incredible wines, and I can’t wait to taste my way through more! Hopefully you’ll see me out at the wineries this spring or summer too, I absolutely think I have to get there now.
Always remember to eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly!