Our Favorite East End Wineries

It is officially spring here on the East End and although it may still be a little chilly for a trip to the beach, Long Island’s wine region offers the perfect excuse for a quick getaway to the Hamptons. With more than 30 wineries and vineyards to enjoy, you can spend an entire weekend sipping your way through the East End. From quaint, hidden gems to larger venues, all offering a wide variety of your favorite wines and entertainment, the Long Island Wine Trail has become a popular destination for wine lovers of all kinds.

While there are countless wineries and vineyards to choose from, here are just a few of our favorite spots for an afternoon of wine tasting on the East End.

Bedell Cellars

A day of wine tasting on the North Fork should always include a stop at Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue, which was named one of the Top 25 Tasting Rooms in America by Wine Enthusiast. We love Bedell not only for its relaxing ambiance and beautiful views but Bedell Cellars produces some of the finest wines on Long Island, receiving high praise from national publications including The New York Times, Food & Wine, and The Wall Street Journal. Best-known for their prestigious red wines, Bedell’s Merlot was served at the inauguration of President Obama in 2013.

In addition to their main tasting room in Cutchogue, Bedell Cellars recently opened another tasting room at Corey Creek Vineyards in Southold. The Corey Creek location offers a more laid back atmosphere with the same quality wines on tap, served directly from the cellar.

Castello di Borghese

Also located in Cutchogue on the North Fork, Castello di Borghese is Long Island’s oldest vineyard. Originally built in 1973, Castello di Borghese has celebrated more than 40 years of tradition producing sophisticated and award-winning wines. In addition to their famous Pinot Noir and impeccable service, we love this winery for its charm and character with its signature blue Adirondack chairs, Pinot Noir barrels on the bed of an old-fashioned truck and a lovely collection of artwork to browse in the winery gift shop. Named the 2018 Long Island Winery of the Year by Long Island Uncorked, Castello di Borghese offers everything you need for a memorable North Fork wine tasting experience.

Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards

Not far down the road in Peconic, Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards provides a wonderful venue to spend the entire day sipping wine with family and friends. Offering the most varieties on the East End, Osprey’s Dominion’s wines have received high scores from Wine Advocate, Wine Enthusiast, and Wine Spectator and won awards at the New York Food & Wine Classic. At Osprey’s Dominion, though, the experience is as good as the wines themselves. The vineyard often features live music outdoors on their 4-acre great lawn, which also offers a range of activities for the entire family including volleyball, bocce, and corn hole. Also, unlike many East End wineries, guests are allowed to bring their own picnic lunches to enjoy on the outdoor lawn.

Whether you go for the highly-rated wines or the family-friendly atmosphere, we have no doubt Osprey’s Dominion will become one of your favorite spots as well.

Sparking Pointe

If you prefer a little fizz in your wine, Sparkling Pointe in Southold is a must visit on your East End winery tour. Recently built in 2010, the elegant tasting house is everything modern and bright with a touch of Brazilian flare. With high ceilings and crystal chandeliers, it is the perfect ambiance for sipping a variety of sparkling wines including Blanc de Noirs, Blanc de Blancs and Rosé. You can also enjoy a tasting outdoors on the spacious patio and lawn overlooking their vineyards.

With their focus exclusively on producing quality sparkling wines, Sparkling Pointe has received high scores of 88+ points from both Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator across their selection of labels. From the beautiful surroundings to the award-winning wines, we love Sparkling Pointe for the quintessential sparkling wine tasting experience.

Wölffer Estate Vineyard

While a majority of the Long Island Wine Trail is located on the North Fork, there are also a handful of beautiful wineries to visit in the Hamptons as well, including the well-known Wölffer Estate Vineyards in Sagaponack. Recently nominated by Wine Enthusiast for American Winery of the Year, Wölffer Estate has been producing award-winning wines on the East End for nearly 30 years. Wölffer’s latest awards include Top 100 Wines of 2016 by Wine Enthusiast and their Fatalis Fatum was named the Best of 2016 by The Wine Advocate. Along with their highly acclaimed wines, Wölffer is continually innovating and has expanded its collection to include ciders and spirits.

Enjoy a wine tasting at Wölffer’s newly renovated tasting room and outdoor terrace or around the corner at the Wölffer Wine Stand with a more laid-back atmosphere and amazing sunset views. As one of the most well-known vineyards on the East End, a day of wine tasting on Long Island would simply not be complete without a stop at Wölffer Estate.

Whether you are planning a girls’ weekend, romantic getaway, family outing or just a simple happy hour after work, there are so many great reasons to check out the Long Island Wine Trail this spring….not that you need a reason for a little afternoon wine tasting.

Cheers!