Long Island Wine · Buying Guide
Best Long Island Wines to Buy in 2026
Curated picks across the styles Long Island actually does best — estate Merlot, Bordeaux blends, sparkling and rosé. Every bottle below is currently shipping nationwide via Wine.com.
If you're buying Long Island wine for the first time, start with Merlot. The region's maritime climate gives Long Island Merlot a softer, more savory edge than its California counterparts — closer in profile to a right-bank Bordeaux than a Napa cult bottling. Bedell, Paumanok and Raphael are the names to know.
For whites, look for Chardonnay (Lenz, Macari, Palmer) and the small but excellent Chenin Blanc program from Paumanok — one of the only US Chenins worth seeking out. For sparkling, Sparkling Pointe is the only dedicated méthode champenoise producer on the East End and ships year-round.
If you're sending wine as a gift, the Wölffer 'Summer in a Bottle' rosé from The Hamptons has the strongest brand recognition outside the region, and a magnum from Bedell's reserve program reads as a serious cellar gift.
FAQ
What is Long Island most known for wine-wise?
Merlot. The maritime climate gives Long Island Merlot a softer tannin profile and savory red-fruit character, making it the region's signature varietal.
Which Long Island wine should I buy as a gift?
Wölffer 'Summer in a Bottle' rosé for casual gifts, Bedell Cellars Musée or Paumanok Assemblage for serious wine-lover gifts, and Sparkling Pointe Brut for celebrations.
Can Long Island wines age?
Yes — top-tier Bordeaux blends like Macari Bergen Road, Bedell Musée and Paumanok Assemblage routinely cellar 8–12 years, and reserve Merlots from Lenz and Raphael age well.