Winter Vintner—Stops on the North Fork Wine Trail

With the days growing shorter and the frost setting in, it’s getting easier to succumb to the effects of cabin fever. Luckily, the good folks on the North Fork Wine Trail have a cure. From live music by the fire and holiday parties, to mixology classes and cellar tours, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

1. Sparkling Pointe

Nothing says holidays quite like a glass of bubbly, and no one does bubbly like Sparkling Pointe. Located in Southold, Sparkling Pointe serves their award- winning method de champenoise sparkling wines in their grand tasting hall, which is accented by sparkling, crystal chandeliers, as well as the private “Bubble Room.” Either can be booked for weddings and private parties. Sparkling Pointe has events scheduled throughout the winter to keep you entertained, including their 2nd annual Tetê de Cuvée Grand Tasting Event in January. Join them on alternating Saturdays throughout December for their Winter String Series, or sign up for their 2-hour Sparkling Wine Mixology Class. 39750 County Road 48, Southold 631-765-0200 www.sparklingpointe.com

2. Lenz Winery

Founded in 1978, the Lenz Winery is the second oldest vineyard on Long Island, giving them some of the most mature grape vines in the country. In that spirit, Lenz has become known for crafting rustic, old-world style wines—most notably, their gewürztraminers and merlots. Come by Lenz Winery on December 15 for their annual Holiday Open House, and enjoy an evening of tastings and pairings as they roll out their holiday gift baskets. After the holiday rush, join winemaker Eric Fry, as he hosts cellar tours and barrel-tastings throughout February and March. Call for reservations. 38355 Route 25, Peconic 631-734-6010 www.lenzwine.com

3. Peconic Bay Winery

The Peconic Bay Winery, Cutchogue’s 80-acre vineyard and tasting room, is excited to release two highly-anticipated vintages this holiday season—their 2010 Malbec and Cabernet Franc—both of which are the perfect complement to any holiday feast. They will also be featuring their new hard apple ciders, the True Believer and the True Companion, which are milled right here on Long Island, exclusively from New York apples. Peconic Bay Winery will have corporate gift baskets available for the holiday season as well. Be sure to stop by their tasting room and sample some of their award-winning wines or browse their wide selection of locally crafted North Fork products. 31320 Main Road, Cutchogue 631-734-7361 www.peconicbaywinery.com

4. Sherwood House Vineyards

What could be better on a cold winter’s day, than sitting around the fire, sipping wine and listening to live music? This will be the scene at the Sherwood House Vineyards in Jamesport every Saturday throughout the winter. Nestled among the North Fork’s cornfields and farms, Sherwood House Vineyards offers a warm and inviting tasting experience in their 1860s farmhouse, where guests can sample holiday favorites, such as the Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine or their chinon-style Cabernet Franc. Join them each month in their rustic barn for their second annual Foodie Series, where they will be pairing their wines with local artisanal foods from around the North Fork. 1291 Main Road, Jamesport 631- 298-1396 www.sherwoodhousevineyards.com

5. Clovis Point

Surrounded by 10 acres of grapevines in Jamesport, the Clovis Point winery embraces its North Fork roots with a rustic and intimate tasting room set in a 1920s potato barn. Inside, visitors will find a friendly and inviting atmosphere that caters to wine-lovers. Clovis Point offers a variety of tastings of their award-winning wines, including white, red and premium flights, as well as a VIP tasting by reservation. Clovis Point’s tasting room is open Wednesday through Monday all winter, and will be hosting live music for Long Island’s Winterfest Jazz on the Vine concert series. 1935 Main Road, Jamesport 631-722-4222 www.clovispointwines.com

6. Bedell Cellars

Thirty years of hard work and determination has earned Bedell Cellars an unparalleled reputation as a sustainably farmed estate. Their 80 acres hold some of Long Island’s oldest vines, and their flagship red blend—Musée—earned 91 points from Wine Spectator—the highest score ever given to an Eastern North American wine. In Bedell Cellars’ tasting room, a renovated 1919 farmhouse, guests can enjoy their wine by a warm fireplace surrounded by owner Michael Lynne’s private art collection. The tasting room will be hosting live music for Long Island’s Winterfest Jazz on the Vine concert series. New for the holiday season, Bedell Cellars will be offering gift memberships for their exclusive wine club, in addition to their popular wine gift sets. 36225 Main Road, Cutchogue 631-734-7537 www.bedellcellars.com