North Fork, Long Island — Wine Country Day Trip from NYC

Long Island's North Fork was historically an agricultural region while the South Fork became the Hamptons. That farm-scale land, maritime climate, and loamy soils produced the conditions for the most interesting American wine region east of the Finger Lakes. Today the North Fork has more than 60 wineries along a coastal corridor that can be navigated by car, bicycle, or organized tour.

Greenport Village

The North Fork terminates at Greenport, a 19th-century whaling and shipbuilding port that has held onto its character with unusual fidelity. The compact village center has independent restaurants, an old carousel in Mitchell Park, a year-round oyster bar, boutiques, and a working marina. The Orient Point Ferry — connecting to Connecticut — departs here several times daily.

The Wine Trail

The concentration of wineries between Mattituck in the west and Greenport in the east makes for an effortless self-guided tour. Most celebrated: Shinn Estate Farmhouse (biodynamic, appointment-only), Bedell Cellars (impressive art collection alongside the wine), Kontokosta Winery (waterfront Sound views), and Sparkling Pointe (the region's best sparkling wine specialist). Most tasting rooms charge $20 to $35 per person and are open daily in summer.

Shelter Island

Accessible by ferry from Greenport, Shelter Island sits in Gardiner's Bay with no traffic lights and one main road. The Mashomack Nature Preserve covers one-third of the island with trails through tidal marshes and forest. Day-trippers can take the ferry over, bicycle the island, and return — the five-minute crossing is itself a pleasure.

Getting There

By car, take I-495 east to Exit 73, then Route 25 east through Mattituck, Cutchogue, and Southold to Greenport — about 100 miles, 2 hours in light traffic. By train, the Long Island Rail Road runs to Greenport in about 2 hours from Penn Station.

Where to Stay

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