This month has been unseasonably warm for December so on Sunday I took advantage of the warm weather and took a day trip to the North Fork of Long Island to visit some of the wineries.
Pugliese Vineyards: 34515 Main Road, Cutchogue
One of the original wineries on the North Fork established in 1980. Family owned and operated, you will always find a family member in the tasting room pouring wines. Pugliese has always produced sparkling wines and from what I understand, grow the only Sangiovese (about a couple of acres) on the Island.
2007 Blanc de Noir Nature Sparkling. Big copper color, doughy notes on the nose, crisp with bread notes on the finish.
2010 Blanc de Blanc Brut Sparkling. Nose of cooked bread, rising dough, lemon curd on the very ripe fruit.
2009 Merlot Sparkling. Fizzy with sweet herbs on the nose, moderate fruit with some green notes. Reminded me of a Lambrusco.
2012 Sangiovese. Medium to light red with pumpkin pie spices on the nose, tight and tart.
Lenz Winery: 38355 Route 25, Peconic
Another of the original wineries, founded in 1978 and having some the most mature vineyards in the area. I appreciate that they don’t release their wines too soon so you can try whites with some bottle age.
2012 Chardonnay “White Label”. Cold-fermented, gold in color with apricot on the nose, nice balance.
2013 Chardonnay “Gold Label”. Gold in color, toasty nose, dry with some oak on the fruit.
2012 Gewürztraminer. Light yellow with greenish tints, very aromatic, sweet floral, moderate fruit, low acid.
2012 Merlot. Medium to dark red, black cherry on the nose with toasty, black ripe leather on the fruit.
Duckwalk Vineyards North: 44535 Main Road, Southhold
The main winery is on the South Fork, this is the North Fork tasting room.
2014 Pinot Grigio. Light yellow in color, floral with some tropical notes on the fruit.
Sherwood House Vineyards: 1291 Main Road, Jamesport
The tasting room is in a comfortable 1860’s farmhouse connected to an antique shop barn where you can sip your wine around a fireplace.
2013 Chardonnay “Oregon Road”. The house chardonnay, last glass of the day, nice sipper.
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