Best Wineries in Long Island

By Simone Dweck

Long Island is home to many esteemed wineries known for their picturesque landscapes, engaging events, and meticulously crafted wines. From the sustainable, biodynamic practices at Macari Vineyards & Winery to the historical significance and regional expression at Bedell Cellars, each winery offers a unique narrative and tasting experience. Let us guide you to the best wineries in Long Island, where you can experience the rich viticultural heritage and enjoy an array of delightful wines.

Macari Vineyards & Winery – Mattituck

A family-owned and operated winery located on the North Fork of Long Island, Macari is known for its creative viticulture practices and engaging events. Macari was established in 1995 by Joseph Macari Jr. and his father on a sprawling 500-acre former potato farm. Omitting the use of herbicides, they focus on natural and sustainable biodynamic techniques, the organic qualities evident in every bottle they produce. A must-try is the 2021 Macari Cabernet Franc for a pleasantly savory taste. Rosé lovers should have the 2021 Meadowlark Pinot Meunier Rosé for delectably complex tastes of tangerine, pomegranate, and botanicals. Regarding experiences, they frequently host events for wine lovers featuring visiting chefs like Lauren Lombardi. 2022 marked the opening of Meadowlark, a delightful tasting room in nearby Cutchogue with a stylish wine bar, spacious event area, and an array of distinctive wines.

Bedell Cellars – Cutchogue

Bedell Cellar’s first vines were planted in 1980, making it one of Long Island’s oldest wineries. Aside from the age-old vines, there are lush gardens and a bright pavilion in which wine tastings are held. Winemaker Richard Olsen-Harbich has over 40 years of regional winemaking experience and is committed to quality, purity, and regional expression. The atmosphere is sophisticated and modern, the loft area featuring a contemporary art collection and windows with a view of the barrel-aging cellar. Try the 2022 Bedell Melon de Bourgogne for a chalky texture with flavors of seashell and lemon. The 2020 Bedell Malbec is a memorable choice that has superb acidity and integration of oak, offering a soft spice. Lastly, the 2022 Corey Creek White Cabernet Franc offers a tropical and fruity taste of peach and florals.

Lieb Cellars – Cutchogue

With the help of winemaker Russell Hearn, the 35-year-old vines of Lieb Cellars have produced maritime-influenced and nationally recognized wines. A beloved one is the 2021 Lieb Pinot Blanc, a saline and subtle wine made from some of the oldest vines on Long Island. The 2020 Lieb Teroldego-Lagrein has grape jelly and white pepper notes and is made with fruit from the former Southold Farm and Winery. Guests can savor the serene views of the 54-acre property from the front patio. Lieb Cellars’s live music performances add another element that elevates the tasting experience. 

Wölffer Estate – Sagaponack

The Wölffer Estate closely embodies the Hamptons lifestyle with a Provençal chateau-inspired estate, scenic views, and a vibrant, buzzing tasting room with rustic-modern decor. Their famous “Summer in a Bottle” rosé, emulates a dry French style and is an imperative choice for visitors. Their annual production includes 125,000 cases of wine across a diverse range of price points, good for casual visitors or passionate wine connoisseurs. An exceptional choice is the 2019 White Horse Fatalis Tatum, distinguished by its silky texture and brambly red fruit, mint, white pepper, and olive brine flavors. The 2020 Grapes of Roth Virgin Berry Riesling has wild yeast, honey, lamp oil, and preserved lemon flavors which is worth a go. 

Jamesport Winery – North Fork 

Amidst expansive grounds featuring a 165-year-old barn that serves as its winery and tasting room, Jamesport Winery has more of an informal and friendly milieu. Since 2014, Dean Babiar, the winemaker, has devoted his focus to crafting wines that highlight bright flavors and expressive aromatics. Try the vibrant 2018 sauvignon blanc and albariño, celebrated for their ripe fruit profiles and refreshing acidity. A delicious perk is the Little Oak Wood-Fired Kitchen which offers artisanal wood-fired pizzas that perfectly complement their sustainably produced wines. And get ready for their weekly jazz concerts during the summer.

Paumanok Vineyards – Aquebogue

One of Long Island’s westernmost wineries, Paumanok Vineyards is a 127-acre estate established in 1983 by Ursula and Charles Massoud. Tasting rooms are housed in a spacious barn with a fermentation tank room and lab, surrounded by an airy and relaxed deck overlooking the vineyards. Paumanok offers self-guided tours, guided tours, in-depth proprietor tours, and VIP tours featuring private tasting on the balcony. Try the 2022 Paumanok Vineyards Chenin Blanc for a fresh and fruity wine. For more of a savory and al dente tasting experience, have the 2021 Paumanok Minimalist Cabernet Franc. Its summer sunset specials feature raw oysters, a Greek snack bar, and $8 glasses every Friday. Check out its notable events at events at Palmer Vineyards, including live music performances and wood-fired pizzas. 

Channing Daughters Winery – Bridgehampton

Channing Daughters emphasizes sustainable practices with hand-harvesting, wild yeast fermentations, and gravity bottling, ensuring each wine is a distinct expression of its time and place. The main attraction here isn’t the aesthetics of the vineyard or interiors. It’s the wine itself that attracts the visitors. James Christopher Tracy, who has overseen winemaking since the early 2000s, crafts an extensive selection of minimal-intervention, textural wines from diverse grape varieties, including several unique to New York. For a bit of sweetness, try the 2022 Rosato with watermelon undertones. For a more savory spice and notes of herbs, taste the 2020 Rosso Fresco. Aside from the intimate experience with its 27-acre vineyard, Channing Daughters has a sculpture garden from the winery’s back deck, featuring artwork curated by owner Walter Channing. 

Lenz Winery – Peconic

Lenz Winery is the second oldest winery in Long Island, founded in 1978 by the Lenz family, specializing in aromatic Alsatian grape varieties such as Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris. Lenz has a unique approach of holding back its red wines for at least four to five years before releasing them, a tradition that ensures flavor development and gorgeous quality. Their signature wines include the honeyed and dry 2016 Lenz Gewürztraminer and the tart and spicy 2017 Lenz Merlot with mint undertones. The tasting room experience is in a quaint old barn surrounded by their aged vines. Guests can have pre-prepared snacks like artisanal jams and various cheeses with their wine. Lenz hosts a broad spectrum of events throughout the year, such as educational tastings like “Taste of Italy” and culinary experiences like “Dinner in the Vines.” The subscriber program allows guests special privileges like a reduced rate for events, quarterly wine shipments, free tastings, access to rare Old Vines vintages, and use of the Lenz Guest Cottage. 

Pindar Vineyards – North Fork 

Pindar is known for its extensive events calendar and family-friendly environment. Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos founded it in the early 1980s, and it is now the largest winery on Long Island, producing 70,000 cases of wine annually. Pindar Vineyards features private tours of barrel and tank rooms and casual tastings and brunches in a large gathering room. Their award-winning wines are produced from about 17 varieties of grapes. Events include live music, equestrian games, car shows, and art workshops every Saturday and Sunday during the summer, keeping all ages entertained.