By Abby Tegnelia
Wölffer Estate has always been an East End pioneer—it was the first winery to open in the Hamptons, and it was a founding member of Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing, too. Here are 10 other great East End wineries that make the sustainable farming of high-quality grapes their top priority.
Aquebogue
Paumanok Vineyards
One of Long Island’s most respected wineries, Paumanok boasts rich, textured Bordeaux blends. Its bright, picnic-friendly chenin blanc is also a standout. paumanok.com
Bridgehampton
Channing Daughters Winery
As laid-back as it gets in the Hamptons, Channing Daughters Winery’s gorgeous grounds welcome tasters seven days a week. Known for its summer-worthy, varietal-specific rosé program, Channing Daughters also boasts delicious sauv blancs and some interesting orange and sparkling wines along with its list of reds and whites. channingdaughters.com
Cutchogue
Lieb Cellars
Set on a picturesque 85-acre vineyard with to-die-for sunset views, Lieb Cellars offers flights of wine, local cheeses and snacks, and live music all summer long. Sit outside on the stunning patio to soak it all in. Bonus: Head to nearby Mattituck to its sister tasting experience, the whimsical Bridge Lane. liebcellars.com; bridgelanewine.com
Bedell Cellars
Rustic-chic but decked out with some spectacular contemporary art (that makes its way onto the labels, too), Bedell offers intimate, private tastings and lush gardens for walk-ins to enjoy with a glass of wine. Claim to fame: the award-winning Bedell Musée, a spectacular dark and spicy merlot-driven blend. bedellcellars.com
McCall Wines
Pinot and merlot lovers: head straight to McCall, where a charming tasting room in an old potato barn pours these and other varietals. mccallwines.com
Greenport
[kon-to-KOS-ta] Winery
Water babies, take note: kon-to-KOS-ta is the North Fork’s only waterfront winery, with bragging rights to stunning bluff views of the Long Island Sound. With a portfolio that covers everything from warm weather-friendly rosé and sauv blanc to full-bodied reds, there’s something for everyone. kontokostawinery.com
Mattituck
Shinn Estate Vineyards
For a full vineyard immersion, overnight guests here choose from four spacious rooms (with vine views!) in its Farmhouse Inn. Most popular wines: a crowd-pleasing sauvignon blanc and a silky, estate-grown red blend aptly named “Diaphanous.” shinnestatevineyards.com
Riverhead
Palmer Vineyards
New labels, same stellar white wine lineup, ranging from albarino to chardonnay. A whopping five different rosés, two interesting dessert wines, and some cab franc and merlot are also on offer. palmervineyards.com
Roanoke Vineyards
Roanoke prides itself on site-specific wines (some with dreamy, creative names), ranging from a made-to-age cabernet sauvignon, to red blends such as “Another Time, Another Place” and a chardonnay named “Rhyme and Meter.” roanokevineyards.net
Southold
Sparkling Pointe
Estate-grown sparkling wine produced in Méthode Champenoise makes Sparkling Pointe a must for bubbly fans. The bright, airy tasting room offers table service with chocolate pairings, and local treats like caviar and cheeses. Savor the wines and stroll the great lawn looking onto the sweeping vineyards. sparklingpointe.com