Why the North Fork is the Best Fork

Forget everything you thought you knew about the North Fork of Long Island. It may be outshined by the glitz and glam of the Hamptons, but the North Fork is a treasure trove of hidden gems.

Its country-chic appeal is perfectly at home amongst the surfeit of low-key wineries in the area serving up vibrant dynamic wines for your tasting pleasure. Studded with quaint farm stands for days, the extremely bikeable North Fork really serves as the yin to the yang of the Hamptons.

Strap a bike to the roof of your car and get going. Only a two hour drive from Manhattan, the North Fork offers the perfect opportunity for a leisurely bike and booze cruise with you and your clique. In the mood for some rosé sangria? Head over to Croteaux Vineyards, where the slogan is “rosé on purpose.”

Modeled after the rosés of the South of France, Croteaux is known for their fun, dry, crisp, fruity wines. Equipped with a courtyard garden, an outdoor bar and an open-sided lounge, this stop on your blur of a wine tour is bound to be amongst your favorites.

In place of the flash of the Hamptons, the North Fork offers a certain inexplicable authenticity. And now that you have a buzz, it’s on to our next stop: Shinn Estate.

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The winery is known for being environmentally friendly, if you aren’t too giddy to notice by this point. Rumor has it they also have an in-house psychic. If that’s not enough enticement then maybe the fact that they have a distillery serving up brandy, grappa, and grape vodka might do it for you. Just make sure you wear your helmet.

What really sets the North Fork apart from its southern counterpart though is Macari Vineyards and Winery. They have animals, lots and lots of animals. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with some goats, donkeys, horses, ducks and rabbits after a few glasses of wine and some grappa tastings?

Even if rural isn’t your thing, I defy you to further explore the wineries of the North Fork and not be happily surprised by what you encounter. The Hamptons can wait.

 

 

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