Visit guide

North Fork Merlot Trail

A focused day across the producers behind the Merliance — Long Island's defining varietal at four serious estates.

The North Fork Merlot Trail

Long Island's reputation rests on Merlot. The maritime climate — long, mild autumns with cool nights — produces a structured, savory style closer to Right-Bank Bordeaux than to California. This itinerary follows the producers who founded the Long Island Merlot Alliance (the "Merliance") and bottle some of the most age-worthy reds on the East Coast.

10:30 AM · Paumanok Vineyards

Open with the Tuthills Lane Merlot — a single-vineyard bottling aged 18–24 months. Ask for a vertical pour if any older vintages are open.

12:00 PM · The Lenz Winery

The Old Vines Merlot is the benchmark for what Long Island Merlot can do with age. If the Cuvée library release is poured, take it.

1:30 PM · Lunch break (Peconic / Cutchogue)

Light bistro fare — avoid heavy red meat before the afternoon flight. Allow 60 minutes.

2:30 PM · Raphael Vineyard

Tuscan-style estate originally consulted by Paul Pontallier of Château Margaux. The First Label Merlot is one of the region's most collectible bottles. Reserve Cabernet Franc is a strong sidebar.

4:00 PM · Pellegrini Vineyards

Wrap with Vintner's Pride Encore, the long-running Merlot-led Bordeaux blend that has anchored the lineup since the 1990s. Old Vines Merlot and Petit Verdot round out the flight.

5:30 PM · Optional final pour · Bedell Cellars

If you have stamina, end with Musée — the flagship Bedell Bordeaux blend. Otherwise head to Greenport for dinner.

What to look for in the glass

- Vintage variation: 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2020 are widely considered the strongest Merlot vintages of the last 15 years on the North Fork.

- Aging: Top Long Island Merlots reward 5–10 years of bottle age. Ask each winemaker which library vintages are drinking now.

- Buy what you taste: Production is small. The bottles you pour today may not exist online next month — pack a styrofoam shipper.