Autumn on the North Fork is a time to harvest the ripened grapes at the vineyards, pick great pumpkins for Halloween, and enjoy fresh apples and peaches from the orchards. Fall festivals are held at many farms and vineyards all along the North Fork to celebrate the harvest. Festivities include musical events, yoga, hayrides, a garlic-eating contest, wine tastings, and even a party where you can stomp on grapes and make wine. Here are some farms and vineyards with fun activities to enjoy as you rejoice in the fall harvest on the North Fork.
Harbes Family Farm with its three fabulous farms: the Family Farm & Vineyard on Sound Avenue in Mattituck, the Western Farm on Main Road in Jamesport, and the Farm & Orchard on Sound Avenue in Riverhead features fun activities for kids and adults throughout the fall. The Harbes Fall Festival on weekends from September 21 – October 31 includes pumpkin picking, kids’ activities, and live music at the three farm parks. At the Family Farm & Vineyard, enjoy live music and wine tasting at the Wine Barn through November. The Western Farm features Frontier Land for kids with pony rides, hayrides, and a Western Corn Maze through October 31. Enjoy apple picking at the Orchard during the Apple Festival from September 13 – October 31, open weekends and Columbus Day. Also on Fridays and Saturdays, October 10-25 from 7-10 p.m., the kids can enjoy Halloween fun as they wander through the spooky Moonlight Maze. www.harbesfamilyfarm.com
Garden of Eve on Sound Avenue in Riverhead is open daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. through Halloween. On Saturday-Sunday, September 20-21, celebrate their 11th Annual Long Island Garlic Festival featuring vendors with a wide variety of garlic inspired foods, crafts, music, and a garlic-eating contest! Enjoy live music on October weekends with their Pumpkin Festival featuring roasted sweet corn and squash, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and organic hot dogs. On Saturday-Sunday, October 25-26, experience the 2nd Annual East End OKTOBERFEST from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., including craft brewers, pumpkin picking, hayrides, live music, and farm animals. www.gardenofevefarm.com
Lieb Cellars with its two North Fork locations on Cox Neck Road in Mattituck (The Tasting Group) and on Oregon Road in Cutchogue overlooking their 84-acre vineyard, features several fun events in the fall. At the Mattituck location (The Tasting Group), enjoy Firefly Fridays at The Tasting Group on Friday nights from 5-8 p.m. with live music. Performances include Bryce Larsen on September 19 and Nick Kerzner on September 26. On October 3, try their new hard cider, Rumor Mill at their Rumor Mill Hard Cider Release Party at The Tasting Group from 5-8 p.m. with live music by Swear and Shake and food from Noah’s on the Road Food Truck. At the Oregon Road venue enjoy Noah’s on the Road Food Truck on September 20 and listen to live music on September 27 by Jon Divello, both from 2-5 p.m. www.liebcellars.com
Clovis Point on Main Road in Jamesport features live music and Yoga in the Vineyard on weekends through the fall. Listen to live music from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Sundays. Performances on Saturdays include September 20, Scott Keller Duo, October 4, The Earthtones, October 11, Chris Connolly, and October 18, Bryan Gallo. Performances on Sundays include September 21, Erin Chase, September 28, Park Avenue Gypsies, October 5, County Line, October 12, TBA, and October 19, Scott Keller Duo. Enjoy Yoga in the Vineyard from 10-11:15 a.m. on Saturdays, September 20 and October 18 featuring vinyasa yoga with Sheryl Oleksak and Brian Bradley. www.clovispointwines.com
Raphael Vineyard on Main Road in Peconic features free live music on Sundays from 1-4 p.m. through the fall including Columbus Day weekend. Performances include September 21, Keith Maguire, September 28, Hart & Soul, October 5, Norman Vincent (from 2-5 p.m.), October 11, Thomas Courtenay, October 12, Bryce Larsen, October 13, Columbus Day with Mambo Loco, October 19, Keith Maguire, and October 26, Hart & Soul. Also featured are tours of their vineyard and barrel cellars including a tasting of six wines. Reservations are required. Dan’s Papers has awarded Raphael “Best Tour” for three years running. www.raphaelwine.com
Martha Clara Vineyards on Sound Avenue in Riverhead features live music every weekend year-round. Upcoming performances on Saturdays include September 20, The 2 Man Acoustical Jam with Gino D’Ambrosio and Jim Brown, September 27, Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day with Bangers and Mash “Music for The Celticly Insane,” and October 4, Bluegrass Music with the Yankee Rebels. Performances on Sundays include September 21, The East End Trio, September 28, Ed Travers and Tom Maxwell, and October 5, Double Play. Listen to live music on Columbus Day Weekend, Saturday, October 11, Ed Travers, Sunday, October 12, The Vine Brothers, and Monday October 13, The Waters. Get your feet wet in grape skins at the Chateau La Feet – STOMP PARTY on Sunday, September 21 in the Northville Barn for the Third Annual Stomp Party with Winemaker Juan E. Micieli-Martinez from 1-5 p.m. Tickets required. Enjoy horse and carriage rides from 12-4 p.m. on weekends (weather permitting). www.marthaclaravineyards.com
The North Fork comes alive in the fall with exciting festivals, great music, delicious food, and fun activities for all to enjoy. Bask in the warm weather, gaze at the colorful trees, and experience the delight as the North Fork is transformed into a bountiful harvest.
Ruth Thomas, a freelance writer on the East End enjoys history, music, literature, art, nature, the beach, and her cute dachshund, Clancy. She can be contacted at [email protected]
