Long Island Wine · Visiting Guide
Long Island Wineries — The Complete Guide
Long Island has more than 60 working wineries spread across two distinct AVAs — the North Fork and The Hamptons. This guide walks you through who to visit, what to taste, and how to turn a day trip into a full weekend.
The North Fork is the heart of Long Island wine country: a 30-mile maritime peninsula running from Riverhead out to Orient Point. It's home to the bulk of the region's flagship producers — Bedell, Paumanok, Macari, Sparkling Pointe, Lieb — and the tasting rooms cluster tightly along Route 25 and Sound Avenue, making winery-hopping easy.
The Hamptons (the South Fork) has fewer but more design-forward producers — Wölffer Estate, Channing Daughters, and Duck Walk are the anchors. Tasting rooms here lean polished and resort-adjacent; expect linen napkins, Champagne flutes and rosé by the glass.
Both forks share the same maritime climate that defines Long Island wine: long, mild ripening seasons that reward Bordeaux varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc) and aromatic whites (Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Albariño). If you're new to the region, start with Merlot from the North Fork and rosé from the Hamptons — those are the bottles Long Island has built its reputation on.
FAQ
How many wineries are on Long Island?
There are about 60 licensed wineries across the North Fork and Hamptons, with roughly 50 of them on the North Fork alone — the densest wine-tasting cluster in New York State.
What's the best Long Island winery for first-timers?
Bedell Cellars and Paumanok Vineyards are the most consistent introductions on the North Fork; Wölffer Estate is the iconic first stop in The Hamptons.
Do I need reservations to taste?
Most North Fork wineries take walk-ins midweek but require reservations on weekends from May through October. Hamptons tasting rooms (Wölffer in particular) are reservation-only on summer weekends.
Can I ship Long Island wine home?
Yes — Wine.com ships Long Island wine to most US states, and many wineries ship direct from their tasting rooms. Check our buying guide for shipping-eligible bottles.