Buying Guide · 8 min read

The 12 Best Long Island Wines to Buy in 2026

From Wölffer's iconic rosé to Paumanok's age-worthy Chenin Blanc, these are the 12 Long Island bottles every wine lover should know — and where to buy them.

The 12 Best Long Island Wines to Buy in 2026

Long Island has emerged as a world-class wine region, with winemakers producing exceptional bottles that rival those from established wine capitals. The 2022 and 2024 vintages have been particularly impressive, showcasing the region's mastery of classic Bordeaux and Burgundy varieties. Whether you're exploring Cabernet Franc from the North Fork or crisp Sauvignon Blancs from the South Fork, these 12 standout wines represent the very best of what Long Island has to offer in 2026.

1. Paumanok 2023 Cabernet Franc

Paumanok's 2023 Cabernet Franc is Long Island's signature wine at its finest, crafted from 99% cabernet franc with just 1% merlot. This elegant, medium-bodied wine opens with notes of charred candied dark cherry, licorice, and anise on the nose, then transitions to fresh red fruit flavors across the mid-palate and finish. Its structured, layered character and remarkable smoothness make it an essential bottle for understanding why this varietal defines the region.

2. Wölffer Estate 2022 Chardonnay Long Island Perle

The Wölffer Estate 2022 Chardonnay Long Island Perle earned acclaim for its flinty, Burgundian-style character, demonstrating the winery's precision winemaking. This medium-bodied expression combines vibrant acidity with refined fruit, showcasing how well Long Island terroir translates to classic white wine production. It's the type of bottle that proves the region deserves mention alongside established Chardonnay powerhouses.

3. Shinn Estate First Fruit Sauvignon Blanc

Crafted from biodynamically farmed grapes at one of Long Island's most conscientious estates, Shinn's First Fruit Sauvignon Blanc is vibrant and zesty, filled out with ripe melon and grapefruit flavors. The name refers to the first grapes harvested each fall, capturing the essence of pristine fruit at peak ripeness. This wine exemplifies how sustainable farming practices translate directly into bottle quality.

4. Lenz Cabernet Sauvignon North Fork of Long Island Old Vines 2015

The Lenz Cabernet Sauvignon North Fork of Long Island Old Vines 2015 earned high marks for its savory, integrated profile, showcasing how mature vines produce wines of exceptional complexity. This vintage demonstrates the region's ability to age gracefully while maintaining elegance and refinement. It's a benchmark bottle for understanding Long Island's red wine potential.

5. Channing Daughters Petit Verdot

Channing Daughters consistently produces standout wines across all their offerings, and their Petit Verdot is no exception—though finding it can be a challenge as these limited-production bottlings tend to sell out quickly. This wine showcases an unexpected varietal for the region, proving that Long Island winemakers are willing to venture beyond traditional choices. It's a must-hunt bottle for adventurous collectors.

6. Wölffer Estate Rosé

Wölffer's rosé holds the unofficial designation as the drink of summer in the Hamptons, offering refreshing appeal without sacrificing quality. This wine captures the carefree spirit of Long Island's South Fork while maintaining the structural integrity expected from a serious producer. It's the perfect bottle for warm-weather entertaining and coastal dining.

7. Channing Daughters Chardonnay

Channing Daughters' basic Chardonnay is minerally, citrusy, and mouthwatering with a beautiful creamy texture and crisp finish. Made with grapes from both the North and South Forks, this wine demonstrates how blending fruit from different microclimates creates balanced complexity. It's an excellent entry point into Long Island's white wine production.

8. Pellegrini Vineyards Chardonnay

Pellegrini's Chardonnay is a reliable go-to white from one of Long Island's most beautifully designed estates, full of citrus, ripe apple, and a hint of balanced oak. This wine showcases how thoughtful winemaking at a design-driven property translates into quality expression. It's a dependable bottle for any occasion requiring an elegant, food-friendly white.

9. RGNY Wines Malbec North Fork of Long Island Día de los Muertos 2024

The RGNY Wines Malbec North Fork of Long Island Día de los Muertos 2024 represents the juicy, finely wrought character that defines Long Island's red wine success. This recent vintage earned recognition for its refined expression of an underrepresented varietal in the region. It's a bold choice that rewards those seeking wines beyond the usual suspects.

10. Onabay Merlot-Led Blend

Onabay, one of the North Fork's newer estates and already one of its most exciting, produces a merlot-led blend that's decidedly French-like in its firm structure and medium-bodied elegance. With herbs, blackberries, and hints of anise in perfect balance, this wine demonstrates how emerging producers are raising quality standards across the region. It's a breakthrough bottle from a winery worth following closely.

11. Corey Creek Cabernet Franc

Corey Creek crafts small-batch wines from sustainable fruit and indigenous yeasts, with their Cabernet Franc exemplifying this thoughtful approach. As the sister winery to Bedell Cellars, Corey Creek carries forward a commitment to quality and sustainability in every bottle. This is the perfect wine for experiencing Long Island terroir from a producer dedicated to minimal intervention winemaking.

12. Macari Vineyards Red Blend

Macari Vineyards, operating across 500 acres of vineyard on the North Fork, produces balanced red blends that capture the region's warm growing season and complex soils. These wines represent the scale and ambition of Long Island's largest producers while maintaining the quality standards that define the region's best work. It's an accessible entry point into understanding Long Island's overall wine profile.

Most of these bottles are available through major online retailers including Wine.com and Total Wine, which stock extensive Long Island selections and offer regular shipping to most states. Local tasting rooms across the North Fork and Hamptons also provide direct-to-consumer options for those planning a visit to the region's scenic estates.