You know how some people say that fall is really the best season on the North Fork.
Well those people are wrong. It’s summer. Summer is the best season on the North Fork.
But you know which season NOBODY says is the best? The one we are in right now.
Sure we all know that the asparagus will soon sprout and we will see bud break on the grape vines before we know it, but until then, all we can do is reminisce.
Here are 10 reasons why we wish it was summer on the North Fork right now.
1. Drinking a glass of rosé at Croteaux Vineyards
We’re lucky enough to have the nation’s only all-rosé winery right in our backyard. But unfortunately they’ve been closed since the fall and won’t reopen for several weeks. That’s a shame because we miss sipping pink vino and feeling a little French in Croteaux’s stunning tasting garden.
2. A cup of Harbes strawberry lemonade
Sipping a Harbes homemade lemonade on a hot day is a special thing. You can drink some Minute Maid right now, but we all know it’s not the same.
3. Pridwin cookouts
We just have one thing to say about thisL All-you-can-eat fresh grilled tuna. It is simply heaven on earth.
A pay-one-price bracelet is your entryway to the glorious weekly buffet — featuring fresh salad, ribs, chicken and burgers — at Shelter Island’s The Pridwin Beach Hotel and Cottages. Watching the sunset go down while eating with friends outside is the stuff dreams are made of.
4. Heirloom tomatoes
One time last summer I bought two tomatoes and a pepper and it cost me $13. I have no regrets.
5. Yoga in the vines (or farm)
Nothing says “namaste” like getting into down dog amid acres and acres of vines. Can we be there like right now? No, we can’t. Because the farms are probably dotted with ice patches right now.
6. A Wine Country bike tour
Avoid driving while visiting the wineries by taking a bike tour. Our Charity Robey offers two do-it-yourself routes here.
7. Visiting Lavender by the Bay
When you are shoveling snow off your driveway, it’s nearly impossible to imagine ever seeing a lavender bloom again. But it will happen. It will, it will.
8. The beach. Any beach.
Do we need to say anything else about this one?
9. Sparkling Pointe’s Carnaval celebration
Now don’t these ladies look like they are having fun? Try going outside in one of those outfits today. You won’t like it, believe us.
10. Goat cheese tasting at Catapano Dairy Farm
When I tell people that there is a place for goat cheese tasting on the North Fork they usually respond with the following: “I want to go to there.” But then I take them and we realize that it’s closed. Because it is winter. And winter is terrible.
This story was originally published in February 2015
