A Food and Wine Lover’s Guide to the North Fork

The North Fork of Long Island offers a delightful escape for food and wine enthusiasts. Nestled along New York’s eastern Suffolk County, this peninsula is home to more than 40 boutique wineries, farm stands, and waterfront restaurants. With rolling vineyards, coastal breezes, and fresh local fare, it is a destination designed for savoring. Here’s your detailed, up‑to‑date guide to planning the perfect culinary and oenophile tour.

Discover the Vineyards of the North Fork

Established as an American Viticultural Area in 1986, the North Fork AVA features roughly 3,000 planted acres and over 40 wineries spanning from Riverhead through Southold . Its maritime climate—moderated by Long Island Sound and Peconic Bay—extends the growing season, ideal for Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and unique varietals like Pinot Blanc and Gewürztraminer.

Some of the region’s standout vineyards include:

Bedell Cellars (Cutchogue): Founded over 40 years ago, it’s admired for award‑winning blends and sustainable farming. The tasting room is relaxed, with friendly staff guiding guests through flavor profiles.
Macari Vineyards (Mattituck): A family‑run estate planted in 1995 by Alexandra and Joseph Macari. Alexandra, now in her early 50s and originally from Queens, left nursing at age 21 to pursue viticulture. The couple has built a biodiverse vineyard that’s highly rated for its red blend Bergen Road and crisp Sauvignon Blanc (about $24 retail).
Sparkling Pointe (Southold): Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, this estate specializes exclusively in méthode champenoise sparkling wines, including rosé, blanc de blancs, and even a sparkling red made from merlot and muscat grapes .

Taste Local Bites & Farm Fresh Fare

North Fork isn’t just vineyards. Alongside tasting rooms, roadside farms offer seasonal produce, homemade pies, fresh oysters, preserves, and cheeses. Stops like Sang Lee Farms, Seps Farmstand, and Horton’s Flower Farm in Mattituck provide ideal picnic supplies and scenic rest stops .

Events like the Northforker Wine & Food Classic at Borghese Vineyards on August 28, 2025, pair wine sampling with bites from over 55 regional restaurants and craft breweries. Tickets are $125–$185 for a memorable summer evening under the vines.

Grace & Grit in Southold hosts an intimate supper club in early April for a chef‑led four‑course dinner by Adam Kaufer—limited seating and high demand make booking essential.

A 3‑Day Sample Itinerary for Food & Wine Lovers

Day 1: Ease into the Taste Trail

Arrive via train, ferry, or a two‑hour drive from NYC. Begin in Mattituck with tastings at Macari Vineyards, where the crisp Sauvignon Blanc and lush Bergen Road reds welcome visitors. Nearby, grab apple cider donuts or maple syrup from local stands. Later, dine at Minnow (Southold Social) or North Fork Table & Inn, where chef John Fraser creates seasonal menus paired with local wines—try the tempura squash adorned with edible flowers.

Day 2: Vineyard Hopping & Waterfront Views

Start at Bedell Cellars for guided tastings of Petit Verdot and Chardonnay blends in a serene setting. Next head to Kontokosta Winery in Greenport—the only vineyard on the water—enjoying panoramic views of Long Island Sound while sipping their lineup. Stop for lunch in Greenport village—local seafood or brick‑oven pizza—the town blends casual charm with fresh flavors.

In the afternoon, visit Sparkling Pointe to sample their rosé and blanc de blancs. If oysters are on the menu, pair those with the bubbles for an ideal match . For dinner, book a lobster feast or local shellfish at a seasonal farm restaurant or oyster bar.

Day 3: Markets, Markets, Markets

Begin at a farm stand like Sang Lee or Seps Farms, pick fresh produce, artisanal cheese, or homemade pies. Then head to Suhru & Lieb Vineyards in Cutchogue—ideal for beginners with approachable wines and tasting flights (don’t miss their rosé) . For lunch, grab local artisanal bread, preserves, and cheeses to pair. Afternoon options include cycling the countryside or visiting the Custer Institute observatory for coastal views. End with sunset and a final glass overlooking the vineyards or bay.

Insider Tips for Planning Your Visit

Wines by personality: Reds on North Fork tend toward Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with increasing interest in lighter whites and sparkling wine. Sparkling Pointe’s méthode champenoise lineup is perfect for bubbly lovers .
Food pairings matter: Many tasting rooms offer small cheese or charcuterie plates to accompany pourings. Local varietals like Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc shine alongside fresh oysters or mild goat cheeses.
Reservations recommended: Farms, suppertable dinners, and classic lunch events (especially Grace & Grit or the Wine & Food Classic) book early.
Pick your season: Late summer through fall combines harvest scenery, farm stand produce, wine events, and warm but not humid weather. Weekdays and shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and better availability.
Respect the pace: North Fork is intentionally laid‑back—take time between stops, breeze through tasting rooms, slow down over dinner and local views.

A Bit About the People Behind the Wines

North Fork remains rooted in family‑run operations and legacy owners who value terroir and community.

Alexandra Macari, now in her early 50s, trades nursing for vines and runs Macari Vineyards with husband Joseph and their wine club community—a decades‑long contribution to local viticulture.
Sparkling Pointe was created by French winemaker Gilles Martin who moved to Long Island in 1997; by 2024 he had led the estate to 20 years of acclaim and growth
At Bedell Cellars, long‑time winemaker Richard Olsen‑Harbich brings deep knowledge of North Fork terroir and sustainable practices to visitors and wine critics alike

Final Bite

For anyone who treasures thoughtfully curated wine, fresh local cuisine, scenic landscapes, and slow, unhurried enjoyment, North Fork delivers. You’ll leave with more than bottles in hand—you’ll take home stories of family farms, sunlit vineyards, oysters fresh from the bay, and meals that taste like place. Cheers to your next wine country adventure.