The Long Island wine industry has grown tremendously since the first vines were planted in the early 1970’s. Now there are 2,000 acres devoted to growing grapes and 55+ vineyards and wineries on the North and South fork of the island with three of those are on the South Fork and the rest of the bulk of them on the North Fork AVA. The North Fork is a 30 mile long peninsula that’s not very wide. It was inevitable that vineyards would be planted west of the two forks and a handful of new wineries have opened for business. I spent an afternoon on a touring a few.
Harmony Vineyards 169 Harbor Road, St. James
This winery established in 1999 has to be one of the most scenic wineries on Long Island. After a drive along rolling hills you arrive at the winery and the tasting room is in an historic circa 1690 home built by one of the original European settlers. It’s like being in a museum. The back patio overlooks a vineyard sloping down to Stony Brook harbor. All their reds are a Bordeaux blend consisting of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with vintages from 2005-2016. On this Sunday afternoon I had to place all to myself.
2015 Harmonious Blend
Opaque black with a purple rim, black licorice on the nose, dark and concentrated, chewy with mint and slate notes on the nicely balanced finish.
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Whisper Vineyards 485 Edgewood Avenue, St. James
First vines planted in 2004. The tasting room is in the Borellas Farm Stand which sits across the highway from the vineyard., very low key. Another tasting room all to myself.
2008 Merlot
Unfiltered 100% Merlot matured for 18 months. Opaque dark red with an amber rim, roast hazelnuts on the nose, tight and concentrated with chewy, black fruit ending with firm, silky tannins with a touch of astringency at the finish.
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Del Vino Vineyards 29 Norwood Road, Northport
The first winery on the north shore wine trail as you travel East. This family run winery was built on an old apple farm. The previous two tasting rooms were a much more sedate experience since I was the only one in the room drinking, this tasting room was completly polar opposite experience. The villa type building which was opened in 2018 is a restaurant as well as a tasting room and it must be a popular restaurant because on this Sunday afternoon the place was mobbed. I was able to find a spot at the bar to sample a glass of wine and listen to the live music.
2018 “Ultimo”
They call this their Cabernet blend but in previous vintages they included Merlot and Tempranillo. Clear medium to dark red in color, toasty red cherry and crushed rocks on the nose, rustic, with toasted nuts at the beginning and finishing with a big hit of dark chocolate.
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