When it comes to planning a wedding, choosing the location is arguably the most important step. Luckily, for couples who decide they want to get married at a winery, there are many options to choose from on the East End of Long Island.
While getting married in wine country is a dream, making that vision come true takes planning, which is not usually as turnkey as tying the knot in a traditional catering hall.
“It’s a lot of work; there’s no denying that,” says Lauren Lombardi, whose eponymous catering company specializes in locally minded, eastern Long Island weddings. “Falling in love with the venue is the easy part, and then it’s about coordinating and booking your other vendors.”
Most of the wineries here don’t offer on-site catering, but they do provide recommendations about local caterers to work with. Some wineries include tables and chairs, while others need to outsource furniture. In the event of inclement weather, some have enough space to host indoors, while others erect outdoor tents to keep guests comfortable.
“It does require more management on the couple’s end,” says Amy Finno Israel, senior vice president of events at Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue. “Couples also find it helpful to enlist the help of a wedding planner to manage all the moving parts.”
In terms of planning timelines, weddings on the East End are becoming more and more popular, with some event planners recommending that couples secure a date 12-18 months out. Late spring and early fall are particularly popular due to the mild weather and vibrant foliage. Some winery locations only offer weddings during peak time periods, while others are more flexible and can accommodate more short-term planning.
While each winery features beautiful landscapes and enchanting atmospheres, they also offer their own distinct character, charm and amenities, giving couples the chance to choose what works best for them.
RG/NY
6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead, 631-298-0075, rgnywine.com
What makes RG/NY special is the way “we blend modern and traditional elements,” says Erin Ambrose, director of events. The venue has a modern barn equipped with all the amenities to support a wedding, including tables and chairs, a chef’s kitchen, restrooms, heat, air conditioning, room to accommodate up to 200 guests and, during peak season, a Sperry tent. With different spaces that can play host to multiple events such as welcome parties or morning-after brunches under the pretty outdoor pergola-topped patio, RG/NY can be a full-weekend destination. “We have multiple spaces that can support all their fun, like our tasting room, pergola and new speakeasy, El Sotano,” Ambrose says.

Sparkling Pointe
39750 County Road 48, Southold, 631-765-0200, sparklingpointe.com
At Sparkling Pointe, “No two weddings are the same, and we work with our clients to curate an event that represents them,” says Amanda Czartosieski, the winery’s private events manager. Catering, rentals, tents and vendors are additional, offering couples the opportunity to truly customize their wedding. What each event does have in common is Sparkling Pointe’s elegant atmosphere, where up to 250 guests can be hosted on the outdoor terrace. “Our chandeliers illuminating the dance floor, our terrace overlooking the pristine vines, our sparkling wines being served upon arrival, all of it is beautiful,” says Czartosieski. The venue also has a large indoor space for up to 120 guests, helping to alleviate some of the risk of an outdoor wedding.
Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard
2114 Sound Ave., Calverton, 631-369-0100,
baitinghollowfarmvineyard.com
For couples that prefer on-site catering, Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard is the ideal venue. The winery can host weddings with as few as 30 or as many as 200 guests, and all menus include “our award-winning wines and full-service catering produced by our team of talented event chefs,” says Dominique Donofrio, director of event sales and marketing. “It is also the first vineyard you see on the North Fork, conveniently located to all major highways, making it convenient to travel to for all of your wedding guests.” Nestled on 17 acres of beautiful farmland, Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard “offers a rustic yet polished landscape for your wedding,” says Donofrio.
Meadowlark North Fork
24385 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-734-7070,
meadowlarknorthfork.com
At Meadowlark, the “goal is for guests to leave the wedding saying ‘That was so them,'” says events director Lauren Conklin. “We encourage our couples to work with local partners and to integrate the wedding weekend into the culture of the North Fork.” The venue hosts intimate weddings in the Perch Building for 40-50 people but can make space for up to 250 guests under an outdoor tent. Ceremonies can take place in the breathtaking gardens, which Conklin describes as a “grounding experience” that will make couples “feel hugged during” as they are surrounded by greenery and loved ones.

Bedell Cellars
36225 Main Road, Cutchogue, 631-734-7537, bedellcellars.com
“Framed by a backdrop of rolling vineyards, the venue has an open layout providing a welcoming canvas to create your own unique event,” says Amy Finno Israel, Bedell’s senior vice president of events. Everything is customizable, with a reception space under the pavilion that offers sunset views for up to 200 people and also provides rain coverage. “There is something so special about dancing in front of the vines while the sun is setting over the Long Island Sound,” Finno Israel says. Bedell works with an exclusive group of caterers who will assist couples with menu selections and rentals such as tables, chairs, linens, glassware and china. Bonus: If you’re set on an al fresco celebration, their sister Southold spot, Corey Creek Tap Room, can accommodate up to 120 people outside.
Wölffer Estate Vineyard
139 Sagg Road, Sagaponack, 631-537-5106, wolffer.com
At Wölffer, weddings are offered during May, June, September and October, “when the vines are in bloom and the temperatures are comfortable,” says events director Mary Massey. This ensures a limited number of weddings per year, meaning each one receives personalized attention for up to 180 guests. In the event of inclement weather, the tasting room and terrace both feature motorized enclosures and heaters for comfort. Ceremonies are held in the private gazebo, while dancing takes place in the adjoining tasting room. Wölffer Estate Vineyard features “the natural beauty of 55 acres of meticulous vineyards in a setting that is both elegant and sophisticated,” says Massey.

Borghese Vineyard & Winery
17150 County Road 48, Cutchogue, 631-734-5111,
castellodiborghese.com
The interior of Borghese — Long Island’s OG winery — can accommodate about 100 people, with the option to have a tented event outside for larger gatherings. If you want to go big, “guests would have the use of the venue as well, which is steps away from a field within the vines where a tent can be installed,” says owner Giovanni Borghese. The event team can introduce the couple to local vendors but is happy to work with couples’ preferred vendors, too. “We offer a blank slate where your most creative ideas and vision can come to life,” says Borghese. “There is a rich history at Borghese that we love for guests to be a part of.”
Kontokosta
825 North Road, Greenport, 631-477-6977, kontokostawinery.com
For couples seeking a venue that can accommodate around 300 guests, Kontokosta’s elegant, chic, barnlike tasting room is the ideal choice. In addition to its large, lofty indoor space, Kontokosta offers unparalleled views of Long Island Sound, with stunning sunsets. “I knew I wanted to host my wedding on the North Fork, and once I saw the long dramatic driveway, the tasting room and the water view from the bluff — I knew it was the place,” says caterer Lauren Lombardi, whose wedding was the first ever hosted at Kontokosta, and where she has since created stunning edible tablescapes and meals for countless brides and grooms. “I absolutely love when I have a client hosting their wedding at Kontokosta since it gives me an opportunity to revisit a place that I, too, hold so dear.”
Raphael
39390 Main Road, Peconic, 631-765-1100, raphaelwine.com
Raphael, with its Tuscany-by-way-of-the-North Fork vibe, is one of a few venues that can accommodate a large wedding completely indoors. For weddings with up to 175 guests, the Peconic winery has on-staff event coordinators to expertly expedite your big day. Bonus: They also provide all the extra necessary details, like chairs, tables, linens, china, glassware and flatware, valet parking and on-site security. Raphael even partners with a caterer exclusive to its vineyard so you can craft your wedding feast in its on-site kitchen.





Sannino Vineyard
15975 County Road 48, Cutchogue, 631-734-8282,
sanninovineyard.com
From the ceremony to the stunning among-the-vineyards reception, this family-run winery offers a boutique atmosphere for up to 125 guests, with 20% off the retail price of their wines served (30% for wine club members). They only host a dozen weddings a year so booking early is a must, and all vendors must be pre-approved. Bonus: Sannino’s onsite vineyard-view bed and breakfast is the perfect spot for a newlywed couple to chill after the big day.