Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. On the North Fork, it also is the beginning of winery season.
Long Island Wine Country (LIWC), the trade organization promoting local wine producers, sponsors a “Share and Pair” Sunday brunch tasting series, April through June, partnering North Fork wineries and eateries with themes around “Blanc and Franc”; and Memorial Day weekend musical performances hosted by Mattituck’s Bridge Lane Wine from 2 – 5 pm Visit liwines.com/events for more info.
Photo: Carl Timpone
At Macari Vineyards, the season starts with Mother’s Day Lobster Roll + Rose event on May 10. On June 26, the winery hosts a Summer Soiree at Mattituck’s Landcraft Gardens with light bites, live music and a walk through tasting through the private gardens. Twenty acres of their Cutchogue property, called Meadowlark North Fork, has been transformed into a chic hospitality venue with a new wine bar and garden space focusing on experimental releases and small-batch wines. On May 22, they’ll launch the season with a garden pizza party from 4 – 8 pm, with food trucks and a live DJ in addition to the pies. The pizza party repeats on July 3. The tasting room will be open for walk-ins starting in July on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sunday.
Jamesport Vineyards returns its popular Jazz In The Vines series for the 10th season with four performances in July and August with wine as the backdrop. Concerts are 7:00 to 9:00 pm with an after-session opportunity to meet and greet the artists.
As its name suggests, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery, located in Southold, specializes in sparkling wine made in the same traditional method as in Champagne. The winery hosts weekend brunch sessions featuring a seasonal menu of croissant sandwiches curated to pair with its wines (reservations). On May 10, a three-course Mothers’s Day brunch by Pip’s Cafe & Provisions is on offer. Monday May 25 kicks off Fizz & Fry held from 4:30 – 7:00 pm on Mondays from Memorial to Labor Day for Fizz & Fry, featuring a menu of fried seafood, fried chicken, sides, and rotating specials. On June 21, a Father’s Day charcuterie and sparkling wine tasting will be on offer and upcoming in July is Sparkling Wine Week, July 5 –11. Check the winery web site for updated details.
Also in Jamesport on Manor Lane, Terra Vite winery, kicks off its live music series this month, weekends afternoons, 1:30 – 4:30 pm, throughout the summer and fall. Reservations recommended for some performances.
Sitting at the gateway to wine country, RGNY offers every-day and special events. May kicks off the hospitality with Mother’s Day events—Happy Hour for mom on May 8 and brunch on the 10th; every day tastings ($35-60 per person)’ Mexican-inspired Sunday brunches with live music beginning June 21. The signature harvest events include a multi-course “Dinner in the Vines” under the stars event Aug. 15; the “Stomp Party” Oct. 4, with live salsa music to stomp by; “Help Us Harvest: harvest experience with local food-trucks on Oct. 24 and a “Dia De Los Muertos” celebration Nov. 7 with music, a ceremonial fire, wine and tradition-inspired activities.
Beginning this month, Sannino Vineyards in Cutchogue offers monthly blending workshops ($196 per person), which includes full tour of the vineyard, production and barrel cellar, accompanied by tastings, a lunch and culminating in a session of red wine blending and your own custom bottle to take home. A non-blending vineyard tour and tasting experience is offered for $100 per person, ending with sips and charcuterie for two. Weekends between 11am – 12:30 pm. A third option features a vineyard tour and tasting for four wines for $50. Their B&B accommodations will expand this summer.
Suhru & Lieb Vineyards will participate in LIWC events and hold brunch and music on its winery over Mother’s Day weekend. Beginning this month, the winery hosts North Fork Oyster Nights from 5 – 7 pm on the last Friday of each month through August, featuring Freshly shucked Peconic Gold Oysters and wines by the glass. Reservations recommended but not required: oysters while supplies last. Starting in June, the Sunday Summer music series offers live music with local artists and wine sips from 1 – 4 pm through August 30.
