TOP: SONG OF STYLE OLLIE SWEATER | JEANS: BANANA REPUBLIC DARK SKINNY JEAN (50% OFF RIGHT NOW, UNDER $35) | SHOES: TRETORN TAWLINS 8 SNEAKERS | SUNGLASSES: KAREN WALKER SUPER DUPER STRENGTH SUNGLASSES.

A couple of weekends ago, I had the opportunity to tour some of the lovely wineries in the North Fork of Long Island with a group of friends. PLANNING AHEAD: We started planning this trip about 2 weeks before but I highly recommend trying to plan this at least 3-4 weeks in advance as the vineyards book up fast and if you have big groups, it’s better to lock in your reservations as soon as possible. Most vineyards accept groups of 6-12 people per table. Most of the wineries have live music on the weekends only. Here’s a good tip for you: I reached out to all the vineyards on our list on Instagram, confirmed details such as reservation availability, outside food allowance, live music, etc. and that was a lot faster than getting a response via phone, email and even from our tour company as they’re always busy and I wanted to make sure I had all the details before finalizing our top wine tasting tour choices. WINE TASTING TOUR COMPANY: We worked with the North Fork Wine Tours, you can reach them at 631-723-0505, 631-594-1161 or via email northforkwinetorus1@gmail.com. We got an all-inclusive package, which included all the tastings and transportation, tip was additional. Alexander, our driver, was the best, he was very knowledgeable about the wineries and he even took us to a couple farm stand on the way back to pick up some goodies. Note that there are inclusive selections of wineries and breweries available bit if you want others not included on the package, you’ll have to pay surcharges, which we did for one of them. 

VINEYARDS DETAILS: We went to 3 vineries, which included 3-5 tastings per person at each vineyard. Overall, we were at the wineries 4-5 hours. COVID NOTES: Due to COVID-19 guidelines, guests may, or may not wear masks inside the vehicle, however when exiting the vehicle all guests must have a mask covering their noses and mouths properly. No exceptions. Guests must always wear their mask at the vineyards except while seated. Groups are not permitted to wander throughout the vineyards, unless authorized by the staff. Guests are only permitted outside. All guests are required to sanitize hands, before and after entering each location. The vineyards’ staff will check your temperature upon arrival and ask you as few questions but the process was seamless, easy and efficient. 

WHAT TO BRING: Let’s start the planning with what to bring to a wine tasting tour, think about layers/warm clothes (if going in the fall because the weather can change drastically from morning to afternoon), sunglasses, flat and comfortable shoes, leave the heels at home, because you’ll be walking on grass all day. Some places will require you to have a blanket to get your tasting if the tables are already taken so make sure you find out which ones before you went. We brought 2 but didn’t end up using them because there were plenty of available tables but better be safe than sorry. 

LOGISTICS: Our group got picked up in New York City (you can choose one pick up address as tours are private and you can choose the more central location for everyone to meet) in a 10-passenger limousine at 9 AM and left Long Island at about 4:30 PM. All the vineyards sell some sort of refreshments and food but we opted to bring our own breakfast to enjoy on the ride there and our lunch on one of the vineyards because we wanted a really good spread and otherwise the entire group needed to order the lunch boxes and we preferred the flexibility of choosing what we wanted to eat at our own time. More details on our schedule coming up next. I recommend bringing your own AUX cord, that way you can listen to the music of your choice in the car. Now on to the good stuff, the vineyards and the tastings. 

LONG ISLAND WINE TASTING TOUR BREAKDOWN – BEDELL CELLARS: Our first stop was Bedell Cellars as it was the more popular vineyard on our list and they don’t take reservations. Seating is first come, first serve, as their capacity allows so keep this in mind when planning your trip on the North Fork. Note that Bedell Cellars take walk-ins only, groups up to 6 guests. Outside food is not permitted, ala carte options are available for purchase. They allow dogs on leash and kids as well. I went the first Sunday in October and got there as soon as they opened at 11 AM and had no trouble getting a table. I. liked that Bedell did the tasting in real wine glasses as most places are using plastic due to COVID-19. Bedell owns Bedell Cellars and Corey Creek Tap Room (also looks super cute and will probably add it to my list on my next Long Island North Fork wine tasting tour trip). A little history about Bedell. Their wines are made from sustainable grown grapes on 3 vineyards across 75 acres. I found it interesting that their crew individually works with each vine 8 times throughout the growing season, roughly 1.2 million hands-on interactions between people and vines each year. Bedell Cellars is located at 36225 Main Road, Cutchogue, NY 11935 and you can reach them at 631-734-7537. Bedell Cellars is open daily for outdoor tastings. Sunday – Thursday 11 AM – 5 PM, Friday and Saturday 11 AM – 6 PM. We got the tasting flight, which included a glass of their rosé 2019 (Guava + Cranberry + Crisp + Refreshing. A unique handcrafted blend that is delicate and lively — fun, but with a serious edge), Pinot Gris 2019 (Pears + Tart Apples + Crisp + Refreshing. Crisp and light, yet boasting a deceptively) and their Cabernet Franc 2017 (Purple Flowers + Red Fruits + Juicy + Ripe. Their hand selected clones are defining regional style of this noble grape). My favorite was the rosé obviously. Live music started at about noon and at around 11:45 AM it was already getting full. You could sit on the covered deck, covered lawn area or outer lawn to get that vitamin D on. We got really lucky that got a high 60s warm Sunday afternoon, which was perfect for light sweater styling and enjoy wine tasting outside to the fullest. 

LAUREL LAKE VINEYARDS: Our second stop. Note that Laurel Lake Vineyards are only accepting groups up to 6 guests. You can make reservations ahead of time and are allowed to bring your own lunch and enjoy it while sipping through the lovely tasting and admiring the scenery. A little history about Laurel Lakes Vineyards is that it was acquired by a group of Chilean and American vintner friends with the passion for wine. I got to meet the Chilean couple and they were so nice, accommodating to our group, very friendly and grateful to host people at their wonderful vineyard. The tasting room, two-story covered deck and outside tables provided ample space for the many visitors they get every day, everyone socially distant of course. Group tasting includes a tasting of three wines (4 on weekends, which we got and were able to pick at the vineyard, which was nice instead of pre-selected ones like we did at Bedell Cellars). Laurel Lake Vineyards is located at 3165 Main Rd, Laurel, NY 11948 and you can reach them at 631-298-1420. They’re open daily for outdoor tastings. Monday – Sunday 11 AM – 6 PM. It was about a 10-minute drive from Bedell Cellars. They are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during December, January and February. Tastings end half hour before closing. Glasses and bottles remain available for purchase until close. Note that Laurel Lake Vineyards only accept reservations for group tastings from 11 AM to 2 PM. I tried the 2018 Lake rosé, had 3 of them since I like rosé the best, I wanted it all and got to taste some of the other ones my friends got (a lovely rosé made in a truly classic style, with rosé-pink color lightly fizzy, this wine is practically a Long Island Summer in a bottle. Created from a small lot of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, dry yet robustly fruity. Its flavors are light and hint at watermelon and raspberries with refreshing citrus), and the 2018 Gewurztraminer (delicious and fruity, bursting with the aromas of spices and red roses). They used plastic glasses but I brought my plastic wine glass we bought to drink in the car so all was good. 

DUCK WALK VINEYARDS: We finished our Long Island North Fork wine tour at Duck Walk Vineyards, which was the perfect ending, the live music, ambiance and big open space was lovely. I’ve gone to the one in the Hamptons but this one is so much bigger so I’m glad I got to try it. Note that Duck Walk Vineyards accepts reservations and you can bring groups. Tables are first come, first serve basis. Groups of 10 or less are welcome to bring their own blankets and chairs to use on the property. They also allow you to bring your own food, which is a plus. A little history about this vineyard is that it encompasses 140 scenic acres and produces about 5,000 cases of awarding winning wine each year. Group tasting includes a tasting of four wines, which we got and were able to pick at the vineyard, which was nice instead of pre-selected ones like we did at Bedell Cellars. I tried the rosé (light Salmon in color with abundant notes of fresh herbs and under ripened strawberries on the nose. Hints of watermelon with a crisp acidity on the finish), the Blue Duck Brut Sparkling wine (pop of sweetness when it hits the pallet followed by citrus, apple and pear notes with a rich, creamy finish), the Pinot Meunier (raspberry on the nose, a light red wine with hints of currant, raspberry and cherry. The wine gently touches your palate and explodes with great complexity on the finish), which I liked better than the Pinot Noir I tried at the Water Mill (Hamptons) location, and the Southampton White (rich dry wine that truly captures the spirit of the Hamptons. Made from our own Cayuga.  Subtle fruit flavors that dominate the palate). The finish is smooth and refreshing.). Tastings end half hour before closing. Glasses and bottles remain available for purchase until close. Duck Walk Vineyards is located at 44535 Main Rd, Southold, NY 11971 and you can reach them at 631- 765-3500. They’re open daily for outdoor tastings. Monday – Sunday 11 AM –6 PM. They offer live music every Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM at both locations. It was about a 15-minute drive from Laurel Lake Vineyards. They also used plastic glasses but I brought my plastic wine glass we bought to drink in the car so all was good. 

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