Fall In Wine Country: Hamptons & North Fork Vineyards Toast The Season With Tours, Festivals, Music, And More

The end of summer does not by any means that the Hamptons and North Fork become forgotten tourists destination, instead the reverse happens. Granted the beaches are much quieter after bathing suit season, but the vineyards and wineries become hot spots for oenophiles who want to sip their sauvignon blanc and merlot among the spectacular rose-colored East End sunsets. There is no shortage of events and happening this fall to keep the roads packed until the winter holidays. These are some of our favorite events to raise a glass amongst the vines.

Surrounded by water, eastern Long Island has a terrior tied to the sea. Sparkling Point celebrates that connection during its annual Local Oyster Showcase on Sunday, September 28th from 2-5pm offering visitors oysters by the dozen alongside their sparkling wines. Tickets are $40 per person in advance. (Sparkling Pointe, 39750 County Road 48, Southold, NY, sparklingpointe.com)

Love apples? Drink them at the third annual “Pour The Core: Long Island” on Saturday, October 4th from 1-5pm. Sample over 75 locally-produced hard ciders in a souvenir tasting glass including the new release from Lieb Cellars, Rumor Mill Hard Cider, as well as best-selling US and imported brands like Woodchuck Hard Cider, Stella Artois Cider, Wandering Aengus Cider, and Johnny Appleseed’s. Food trucks from Noah’s, Poseidon’s Kitchen, Hush Bistro, and Island Empenada will be parked and cooking while the bands play on during the festival. Tickets are $40 per person with a reduced rate of $10 for designated drivers. (Peconic Bay Winery, 31320 Main Road, Cutchogue, NY, pourthecore.com/longisland)

Watch Wolffer Estate Vineyard winemaker Roman Roth roll out the barrel, literally, during the annual Harvest Party on Saturday, October 11th from noon-5pm. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch, wines and ciders, music by the Hamptons own rocker Nancy Atlas, the aforementioned barrel rolling, hay rides, and more. Tickets are $135 for adults and $65 for children 4-12, children under 4 are free. (Wolffer Estate Vineyard, 139 Sagg Road, Sagaponack, NY, wolffer.com)

Learn the art of blending at a VIP Wine Blending Session at Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard. (Courtesy Photo)

Between the art gallery, petting zoo, and the new rose garden you’ll find the very busy Martha Clara Vineyards tasting room uncorking a wide variety of reds, whites, and sparkling vinos. This fall, in addition to their usual line up of musicians – including Joe Taylor, Quarter Horse, and Joey Luongo – and Vines & Canines vineyard walks you can laugh your glass off at the Long Island Comedy Festival on Saturday, October 25th. Tickets are $25 in advance. (Martha Clara Vineyards, 6025 Sounds Avenue, Riverhead, NY, marthaclaravineyards.com)

Don’t let the façade fool you, Raphael is a sustainable vineyard with wines at all price points and a tasting room that knows how to party. You can raise a glass of their newly released sauvignon blanc or Riesling to the sounds of Mambo Loco, Norman Vincent, and the Baked Clams Band weekends through December. (Raphael, 39390 Main Road, Peconic, NY, raphaelwine.com)

Toast the end of the work week with a glass of 2010 Reserve Pinot Blanc at Lieb Cellar’s Friday Night Music Series at Oregon Road. Scheduled musicians include Cass Dillon, Joe Divello, Points East, The Second Hands, and Bryce Larsen from 6-9pm through December. (Lieb Cellars Oregon Road, 13050 Oregon Road, Cutchogue, NY, liebcellars.com)

Harmony Vineyards is jumping! Every Friday drop by the unique waterfront tasting room for Trivia Night from 6-11pm, sit back and enjoy a glass of “Harmonious Red Blend” during Drink-In Movie on Thursdays at sunset, and groove to the sounds of Ray Anderson’s Tasting Notes Jazz Club all weekend long. (Harmony Vineyards, 169 Harbor Road, Head of the Harbor, NY, harmonyvineyards.com)

Clovis Point, known for their merlot and cabernet franc, opens their doors to the likes of Southern
rockers County Line, alt-country and pop Bryan Gallo, and indie/folk by Chris Connolly in the afternoons through November. (Clovis Point, 1935 Main Road, Jamesport, NY, clovispointwines.com)

Award winning vintner Anthony Sannino is the winemaker behind the blends at Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard. Join him for a VIP Blending Session this fall and learn the finer points of crafting a top-notch wine as you taste Long Island varietals and tour this boutique estate vineyard. (Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard, 1375 Peconic Lane, Peconic, NY, sanninovineyard.com)

If you don’t want to be tied to one vineyard, and who doesn’t like to taste their way across the East End, mark your calendar for the second annual “Taste North Fork” on November 8 and 9, 2014. The weekend long event features tasting events, live music, and a “hop on hop off” shuttle service provided by the Hampton Jitney between the wineries from Orient to Riverhead so patrons can enjoy an extra glass of vino while traveling safely. (Details to come from liwines.com)