Long Island
The Hamptons
Beach towns, blue-chip galleries and a small but serious wine scene.
Best for
- Beach + wine combo weekends
- Wölffer rosé, Channing Daughters, Duck Walk and Suhru
- Galleries, farm stands and seafood shacks
What people miss about the Hamptons
Visitors who only think "celebrities and traffic" miss what makes the Hamptons interesting for wine drinkers: a small cluster of South Fork wineries that have been quietly making serious bottles since the 1970s, surrounded by farm stands, oyster shacks and arguably the best restaurants on Long Island.
The wineries
- Wölffer Estate (Sagaponack) — the iconic rosé, plus a serious cider line and one of the prettiest tasting terraces on the East Coast.
- Channing Daughters (Bridgehampton) — small-batch, experimental whites and orange wines from one of the most creative winemaking teams in New York.
- Duck Walk Vineyards (Water Mill) — accessible, family-friendly, with cheese plates and a big back patio.
- Suhru Wines / Lieb Cellars (Cutchogue tasting room, but a Hamptons-leaning brand) — quality across the board.
When to come
The Hamptons run on a hard summer-season calendar. June through Labor Day is busy, expensive and worth it if you want the beaches; shoulder season (May, September, October) is the sweet spot for tasting rooms with breathing room and restaurants without a four-week wait.
Getting there
The Hampton Jitney is still the easiest car-free option from Manhattan. The LIRR Montauk branch runs to Westhampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton and Montauk. Driving on a Friday afternoon in summer is its own form of penance — leave by 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
Pair it with a meal
Reserve early for Nick & Toni's (East Hampton), The American Hotel (Sag Harbor), Estia's Little Kitchen (Sag Harbor) and Lulu Kitchen (Sag Harbor). For a casual lunch between vineyards, The Golden Pear and Hampton Coffee Company are everywhere for a reason.
FAQ
Are there wineries in the Hamptons?
Yes — there are roughly half a dozen wineries on the South Fork, anchored by Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack, Channing Daughters in Bridgehampton and Duck Walk in Water Mill.
Is Wölffer rosé worth the hype?
It's genuinely good — dry, salmon-pink, gastronomic — and it set the template for American Provençal-style rosé. Visit the Sagaponack tasting terrace at sunset to understand why.