If you’re looking for a getaway that combines great wine, beautiful scenery, and plenty of charm, head to New York’s North Fork. Just two hours from the city, this peninsula on the east end of Long Island has become a favorite destination for anyone seeking a mix of relaxation and discovery.

Farm stands, beaches, art galleries, and a vibrant restaurant scene give visitors plenty to explore, with the area’s wineries a bonus for wine lovers. While summer offers that classic Long Island beachy vibe, fall may be the best time of all: cool, crisp air, colorful foliage, and vineyards buzzing with harvest activities.

Getting there is simple: you can drive from New York City in about two hours, or take the Long Island Rail Road to Greenport, or even hop a ferry from Connecticut for a scenic ride across the Sound.

After nearly three weeks visiting wineries and tasting through the local wines, three North Fork wineries stood out to me: Macari, Paumanok, and RGNY. Each shows what makes the region special: welcoming hospitality, strong family ties, a mix of tradition and innovation, and wines that reflect the land.

Note: Many tasting rooms are open daily. Plan ahead and be sure to make reservations, especially on weekends when tasting rooms fill quickly.

Macari Vineyards

Family-owned and operated, Macari Vineyards is one of the North Fork’s most beloved wineries. Founded in 1995, the estate spans 500 acres that have been in the Macari family for generations. Their farming follows biodynamic principles, using composted fish waste from local markets, coffee grounds, and other organic materials to enrich the soil.

On a gorgeous sunny day, my daughters and I were warmly welcomed by Alexandra Macari, who shared stories of the early days and why they chose to farm differently from the conventional advice they were given. “When we moved out here, we were given manuals from the Long Island Farmers Association,” she recalled. “They told us, ‘Just follow the schedule, spray the chemicals, and you’ll be fine.’ Joseph and I would be raising our four children here on the property, so we refused to spray chemicals.”

The tasting room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the vines, feels modern and inviting. That day, the patio was buzzing with groups savoring flights of dry rosé and crisp ‘Katherine’s Field’ Sauvignon Blanc. You can’t get more “NoFo vibe” than this!

*Photo: @macariwines. All other photos by Lisa Denning*

**Order the Delicious cheese and nuts to pair with Macari wines.**

**A Hand-painted label for the summer!**

Cabernet Franc made in three styles: (left to right): whole cluster, partial carbonic, fermented and aged in concrete egg-shaped vessels, and aged in neutral oak barrels.

Visit macariwines.com for more information and to make a reservation.

Paumanok Vineyards

Founded in 1983 by Charles and Ursula Massoud, Paumanok is one of the North Fork’s original wineries. Charles and Ursula remain actively involved, but these days their three sons play key roles: Kareem leads the winemaking, Nabeel oversees the vineyards, and Salim manages the business side.

On a sunny afternoon, my husband Joel and I were welcomed by Charles himself—a charming man with a twinkle in his eye and a treasure trove of memories. He poured us several wines while sharing stories from his years as a winemaker, recalling how, when they bought their land in Long Island, they were mostly surrounded by potato farms.

**On the deck with Charles Massoud (at right)**

From the beginning, the family’s goal was to make the best wines possible, and by 1996, Paumanok’s reputation was firmly established when its 1997 Late Harvest Riesling was served at the White House. The wine was poured for the 50th anniversary of the signing of NATO, with President Clinton and 17 Heads of State in attendance. Since then, the winery has continued to produce some of the region’s most acclaimed wines.

The winery offers a range of tasting experiences, from their dry, crisp Chenin Blanc (a rarity in the region and still the benchmark for New York State) to their classic Bordeaux-style blends and special reserve bottlings that show the ageability of Long Island wines. Everything is estate-bottled, meaning the grapes are grown, harvested, fermented, and bottled right on the property.

The tasting room, in a rustic-elegant barn, and the deck overlooking the vines are ideal places to linger with a glass. And here’s a tip: don’t miss out on tasting Kareem’s latest project: a “minimalist cabernet franc,” fermented with wild yeast and without any added sulfites—a pure, juicy yet savory expression of the grape.

To learn more and book a visit: paumanok.com.

RGNY

RGNY might feel like one of the newer names on the North Fork, but the family behind it has been making wine for generations. The González family, originally from Parras, Mexico, started with their winery RGMX (the “RG” stands for Rivero González). In 2018, they bought Martha Clara Vineyards in the North Fork and gave it a new life as RGNY, bringing a fresh perspective to the region.

I met with Andres Guajardo, the international sales director, who summed up his take on Long Island wine perfectly: “Long Island is not a place for formula wines. The weather changes year to year, as do the wines. That’s a good thing, because what people want today is the expression of terroir, not the same thing every year.”

RGNY’s portfolio includes classic Long Island grapes like Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Franc (one of my personal favorites), but also less typical bottlings like Albariño and Viognier. Two of my favorites during the tasting were the Scielo Sparkling Riesling and the RG White Sparkling NV, both fine examples of what the North Fork can do with bubbly. The tasting room, set in a big, barn-like space overlooking the vineyards, feels both stylish and welcoming.

He and winemaker Leo Mora drove me around the vineyards in a golf cart, stopping to hop out and taste almost-ripe grapes right off the vine. They explained how RGNY is certified sustainable under the Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing program, which examines aspects such as pest management, worker treatment, and material sourcing.

Before heading out, I took one last look at the vineyards stretching out in the afternoon light. I half-joked that maybe one day, my third daughter would get married right here. After all, RGNY hosts over 50 weddings a year, and it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful backdrop.

For more information and to request a visit rgnywine.com.