From the wine experts that brought the North Fork Croteaux Vineyards and Rose Hill Vineyards & Inn comes Main & Mill (1291 Main Road, Jamesport), an elegant new tasting room.
Named after the location of its nearby vineyard at the intersection of Main Road and Mill Lane, this establishment promises to be a place where “you can enjoy wine in an elegant setting,” says Chelsea Frankel, general manager.
Formerly the location of Sherwood House Vineyards, the space has undergone a complete transformation under new ownership. In redesigning, it was important to the owners to ensure that Main & Mill was unique to their portfolio, but still had the same values as their sister tasting rooms.
“If you were looking at a venn diagram, the middle circle, the core of what our tasting rooms have in common, are hospitality, solid food and good wine,” Frankel says. “But with that, we also wanted Main & Mill to feel entirely different.”
Upon entering the space through the outdoor courtyard, guests are greeted with a large fountain imported from London, which immediately sets the tone for a refined experience. The outdoor seating area, adorned with palm trees and greenery, features shaded pergolas for a comfortable and relaxed environment, complemented by high tops and bar seating for those preferring a more casual experience. Indoors, the ambience continues to impress with multiple seating options to choose from, including an ornate bar paneled with wood originally from entry doors of an Italian embassy, an area with plush blue sofas beside a crackling fireplace, and a cozy tavern-style section that beckons guests to unwind.
The blend of opulence and approachability seamlessly extends to Main & Mill’s culinary offering. While guests can expect winery classics such as cheese and charcuterie and North Fork Potato Chips, the menu boasts even more diverse options, including shrimp cocktail and caviar. There are even comfort food staples like pigs in a blanket and tater tots. Shirley Temples are also on the menu, making the spot fun and welcoming for families, too.
Photos courtesy Eduardo Aromim/Main & Mill
Of course, no tasting room experience is complete without exceptional wines. Main & Mill released its inaugural vintage with the opening of this location and looks forward to continuing to evolve its wine program as the years go on. Guests can expect a spectrum of varietals, from crisp, refreshing whites to robust, velvety reds. The 2023 Daisy white blend shares a name with the famous character from “The Great Gatsby,” which captures the essence of the elegant and swanky tasting room. The bottles themselves are adorned with retro-inspired labels, blending contemporary nostalgia with lively, vibrant colors, “making them just as fun to display,” says Frankel. An on-site shop offers to-go bottles and a curated selection of other merchandise.
Also unique to Main & Mill is its proximity to William Ris Gallery, a fine art gallery, and thesalting, a clothing pop-up shop by the owners of Lumber + Salt. Situated on the same property, visitors can stroll over to the gallery to admire artwork while sipping their wine, or head over to thesalting, open on the weekends through Aug. 6, to indulge in some shopping for stylish apparel.
“We really want this to be a space where guests can spend a full day enjoying the different venues on the property,” says Frankel.
Works of art from the gallery are also on display at Main & Mill, tying the property’s various businesses together.
Main & Mill has undoubtedly carved out its own niche along the North Fork wine trail, drawing on the fine hospitality of its sister tasting rooms while still forging a distinct identity, making for a much-welcomed addition to the area.
