December – February · Seasonal guide
Winter on Long Island wine country
Quiet villages, fireplaces, and oysters at their briny best. Winter is the locals' favorite season on Long Island wine country — empty back roads, library tastings by a fireplace, and oysters at their absolute peak. Many tasting rooms shift to a more intimate, sit-down format you can't get the rest of the year.
A weekend in winter
- Friday: Drive out, fireplace dinner in Greenport.
- Saturday: Two seated library tastings; long lunch with oysters.
- Sunday: Sag Harbor bookshops, a quick wine-bar stop, and home.
Suggested stops
- Library tastings — Older vintages poured by the winemaker.
- Greenport fireplaces — Best low-season dinner town on the East End.
- Sag Harbor village — Bookshops, wine bars and quiet streets.
FAQ
Are Long Island wineries open in winter?
Yes — most North Fork wineries stay open through the winter, though many shift to weekends-only or a more seated, by-appointment format.
Is winter a good time to visit Long Island wine country?
Absolutely. Winter is the calmest, most personal season, with intimate tastings, lower hotel rates, and easier reservations everywhere.