It is all about food and wine at the Harvest Inn Bed and Breakfast.
Located in the middle of the North Fork Wine Trail, the Peconic bed and breakfast is home to professional chef Christopher Augusta and his wife Darolyn, who opened the B&B in 2002.
“He originally wanted to open a restaurant and I said no,” she laughed. “We traveled a lot through Europe and stayed at small inns. That’s really the best way to learn about the area where you’re visiting. We love this area and want to share it with our guests.”
It is in that spirit that the couple will often host cooking workshops for guests. The inn also participates in the Wine Camp, a vacation package that gives visitors an opportunity to tour the North Fork’s vineyards while area experts provide the low down on all things wine and includes deals on area restaurants.
“If you go to a hotel, it is anonymous. But I think people that are dreaming of a bed and breakfast stay are social,” she said. “Friends are made here.”
Built in 2002, the five-bedroom inn is modeled in the image of a traditional North Fork farmhouse, but with all the comforts of the 21st century.
The rooms boast en suite bathrooms with ceramic tiled bathrooms and are decorated with antique treasures, comfortable reading chairs, writing desks, plush queen size beds and oriental rugs that add warmth to the beautiful wide plank pine floors.
Other amenities include free WiFi, personally controlled heating and air conditioning, hair dyers, ironing boards, CD players and cozy robes.
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When breakfast is served at 9 a.m., don’t forget your appetite. The most important meal of the day is an event at the Harvest Inn.
Co-owner and chef Christopher was trained at the Culinary Institute of America and takes pride in delighting guests with a farm-to-table menu.
“He does a little bit of everything,” Ms. August said. “He is not just a cook. He is amazingly over the top.”
All of the meals made at the inn are based on seasonal items that chef Christopher gathers from North Fork farm stands. The three-course meal starts with fruit and includes hot items such as duck confit hash browns or a Dutch apple baby, which is likened to a crepe and pancake combination by Ms. Augusta.
An added bonus for java lovers — the inn’s coffee is delivered from McNulty’s in New York City. It is called the ‘Harvest Inn Blend’ and guests can purchase their own at the McNulty’s store in Greenwich Village.
“Location, location, location,” Ms. Augusta said is one of the best reasons to stay at Harvest Inn.
Guests can walk to many of the local award-winning wineries from the inn such as The Lenz Winery, Pindar Vineyards, Bedell Cellars, Pugliese Vineyards, Osprey’s Dominion Vineyards, Corey Creek Vineyards and Ackerly Pond Vineyards.
The inn also features a different winery every month and hosts a private wine tasting for guests only.
And Ms. Augusta is more than happy to help you customize a tour of the region based on your wine preferences.
“If someone walks in and says they want a pinot noir, we can make a list of the bests ones to try,” she said. “We are often told we know the wineries better than any.”
