Water Mill

The garden at Duck Walk Vineyards

Did You Know?
Back in 1644, Edward Howell, the wealthiest Southampton resident, was given 40 acres of land to build a mill for the new settlement. In the Colonial era, windmills and watermills were the most high-tech energy sources used to do everything from grinding grain to sawing wood. Today, you can tour the water-powered gristmill that gave the hamlet its name Thursdays through Mondays throughout the summer. The Water Mill Museum is also filled with artifacts that illustrate the watermill’s various uses through the centuries. 41 Old Mill Road, 726-4625

	Picking vegetables at Halsey’s Green Thumb Organic Farm stand
	Hampton Coffee Company
	Devil’s food cupcakes with vanilla chocolate swirl buttercream frosting
	Grilled Colorado lamb chops, triplecooked potatoes, asparagus, balsamic apollini onions and tomato marmalade at Trata

Wine Tasting
Since 1994, the Normandy chateau-style building and surrounding green acres of Duck Walk Vineyards have been supplying the East End with award-winning local wines. Explore the tasting room and try the 2010 rosé and Duck Walk’s other varietals made with local grapes, including the vineyard’s famous blueberry port. 231 Montauk Hwy., 726-7555

Family Legacies
It is safe to say the Raymond Halsey family knows a thing or two about farming in the Hamptons. After all, the Halseys have been working the land in the South Fork of Long Island since the mid-1600s. Halsey’s Green Thumb Organic Farm is committed to sustainable, natural agriculture. Stop by the farm stand for some seasonal herbs, fruits and vegetables—buying locally is the best way to keep open farmland on the East End. 829 Montauk Hwy., 726-1900

For 17 years, the Hampton Coffee Company has operated a “micro-roastery” in the heart of Water Mill. Family owned and operated, it serves hand-roasted, estate-grown artisan coffee. The muffins, scones and cinnamon rolls are freshly baked daily, and the breakfast burrito is the best in the Hamptons. This summer, they partnered with The Soft Serve Fruit Company, offering healthy desserts made with just fruit, water and organic cane sugar. 869 Montauk Hwy., 726-2633

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
The Water Mill Cupcake Company offers classic confections with the volume turned way up. Be sure to try the tantalizing devil’s food cupcake with peanut butter snicker frosting or with espresso icing—the latter is co-owner Ruth Balletta’s all-time favorite combination. If you truly need an intense sugar rush, opt for the peanut butter and chocolate chip cups, a decadent cookie-cupcake hybrid that is sure to please even the most discerning chocolate fiend. Whichever your choice, be sure to pair the sweet treats with a piping hot cup of freshly brewed Irving Farm Coffee Company coffee. Water Mill Shoppes, 760 Montauk Hwy., 726-0444

Reservations Required
Journey to the Greek Islands at Trata, an East End favorite for dinner and dancing. If the food tastes authentic, it is for good reason: “The olive oil is from Crete, the sea salt is from the Aegean and the figs are from Sparta.” Executive chef Jose Luis Falcon’s specialty is freshly caught fish, charcoal-grilled and served whole. 1020 Montauk Hwy., 726-6200

Suki Zuki is for the sushi aficionado. The teriyaki chicken salad provides perfect bites of crisp, tangy goodness, and the sake and black bean mussels are a local favorite. The “tuna sandwich” is a superbly creative spicy tuna roll—fresh raw tuna with spicy mayo, tobiko and scallion sandwiched between layers of sushi rice-coated nori and served in perfectly finished triangles. 668 Montauk Hwy., 726-4600