Raising a glass on a Tuesday evening at Corey Creek. The Rolling in Dough truck sits in the background.
»Video: Watch exclusive video of Haley Binn's North Fork wine crawl
It may sound odd that at seven months pregnant I was organizing a wine tour, but on a gorgeous Tuesday in early June, the North Fork wineries seemed like a perfect destination. Since I am a wine novice, I enlisted several East End experts for their recommendations. My first call was to Gerry Hayden and Mike Mraz of the North Fork Table & Inn, who told me The Old Field Vineyards was a must-see. Greenpoint confectioner Miche Bacher of Sacred Sweets loves Corey Creek on Tuesday evenings, since her good friend Matt Michel is there with his pizza truck, Rolling in Dough.
While deciding which of the North Fork wineries we should visit, I also had to put together the group of tasters to join me. I enlisted Hamptons columnist Michael Braverman, who frequently writes about his love of wine. True to form, he provided a wealth of information and even offered to bring his “partner in crime,” Amagansett Wines & Spirits owner Michael Cinque, who brought out a bottle of wine that he makes from grapes he grows in Amagansett.
Each Long Island vineyard has its own subtle personality, and our group wanted to create an itinerary that showcased a real cross section of North Fork offerings—hence, the inclusion of a family-run farm with wine’s perfect partner, cheese, and a boutique tasting room, plus an award-winning classic and a relative newcomer.
Now that you know the basics of a good vineyard tour, follow the advice of my new friend, Michael Cinque, who said, “Go tour the East Ends wineries; bring friends or make a few.” Let us be your guide.
