Best Wineries of the East End
Channing Daughters Winery
1927 Scuttlehole Rd. P.O. Box 2202 Bridgehampton, NY.
631-537-7224
With an unbeatable $10 wine tasting tour, Channing Daughters is one of the best wineries to visit of the southern fork of Long Island. Channing offers an exclusive “wine club” that allows members to have special events and rare products offered by the winery. Lovers of visual arts can view the sculptures on the property, created by estate owner Walter Channing. Hours are 11am-5pm daily and is open year-round.
Wolffer Estate Vineyard
139 Sagg Rd. Sagaponack, NY.
631-537-5106
With its enthralling entryway and massive tasting room, offset by a grand hall build with 100 year old beams and beautiful tera cotta tiled floors, this is the place to be if you're looking for elegance on top of fantastic wines to taste. Holding a special place in the heart of the Hamptons, the Wolffer Estate Vineyard specializes in Merlots, Chardonnays, and Pinot Gris, although they have endless varieties to choose from. Wolffer's 2005 Late Harvest Chardonnay took the prize as the best dessert wine in New York State, as well as winning the gold metal at the Dallas Morning News Wine competition. Every Friday night local bands perform live from 5-8pm during the fall and winter. No cover charge required, and wine is easily obtainable by the bottle or glass during the performances. Tours of the entire vineyard, wine cellar, and tasting room are by appointment at $15 per person. Wolffer Estate Vineyard also is a prime location for wedding receptions, with its beautiful landscapes and architecture.
Duck Walk Vineyards
North: 44535 Main Road. Southold, NY 11971. 631-765-3500
South: 231 Montauk Highway (Rt. 27). Water Mill, NY 11976. 631-726-7555 ext. 4
Duck Walk Vineyards was founded by Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos to help create a niche market for the wine industry of Long Island in the early 1980s. In 1994, he and his son Alexander first opened Duck Walk. The building in Water Mill is in Normandy Chateu-style, making it one of the most eye catching landmarks in the area. One of the major stops of the Long Island Wine Trail, this vineyard has plenty of space in their beautifully designed tasting rooms to accommodate even the largest of parties. Duck Walk Vineyards produces more than 35,000 cases of wine a year, best know for their Vida Ice Wine (made from grapes frozen on the vine), Blueberry Port made from wild Maine blueberries, and its speciality Pinot Meunier – a unique treat for any wine lover – you'll learn to love Duck Walk from the moment you enter its doors. Owned and operated by the original family, they insert a very personal touch into every wine they create.