Fifty-three years after Alex and Louisa Hargrave planted the first commercial vineyard in Cutchogue, the North Fork has evolved into one of the East Coast’s most recognized wine regions.
Thanks to a cool maritime climate, fertile soils and decades of innovation by local growers and winemakers, the region now accounts for most of Long Island’s 2,000 acres of vineyard plantings. According to the New York Wine & Grape Foundation’s 2024 Vineyard Report, merlot remains Long Island’s most-planted grape with 177 acres under vine, followed closely by chardonnay at 173 acres.
Today, visitors to North Fork tasting rooms will find far more than those two varieties. Cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc, albariño, pinot blanc and many other grape varieties have found a home here, reflecting the region’s growing diversity.
For those looking to deepen their appreciation of local wine, educational opportunities are available to level up your game.
At Bridge Lane Wine in Mattituck, tasting room and wine club manager Rebecca Lauria wanted to create a way for guests to learn about wine in a casual, non-intimidating way. “Our brand has always been centered around making the wine-tasting experience approachable, so offering education classes felt like a natural extension of that mission and an opportunity to make wine education more accessible and enjoyable,” she says.
This summer, Bridge Lane Wine is offering its “Inside the World of Wine” series at two levels. The 90-minute classes, priced at $55 per person, include guided tastings and a winery tour. Classes are led by Amanda Goldston, founder of Oh My Vino, a Long Island-based boutique wine-tasting company.
“Amanda has been a wonderful collaborator in helping bring this idea to life and crafting a class that simplifies the tasting experience, creating a welcoming environment where people feel comfortable learning, asking questions and exploring different wines without feeling intimidated,” says Lauria.
Bridge Lane Wine classes led by Amanda Goldstein offer tastings and tours. (Photo Credit: Left, Courtesy of Oh My Vino; Middle and Right, Stephanie Villani)
In the level I class, participants learn how to observe, smell and taste wine while evaluating sweetness, acidity, tannin, body and alcohol. The class samples six of Bridge Lane’s wines: sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, white merlot (merlot made without its skins), rosé, pinot noir and a red blend.
Goldston, whose background includes wine sales and winery operations, got interested in wine when she studied abroad in Florence, Italy. “I’ve always loved sharing my passion for wine with others, so consumer education was a natural fit,” she says. “People aren’t just looking to drink anymore … they want to understand what’s in their glass and why they should care. For wineries, an educated customer is a loyal customer. When someone understands why a Bridge Lane wine tastes the way it does, they’re not just buying a bottle, they’re buying into the story.”
Over at the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library, Jul Fedele’s wine classes have become one of the institution’s most popular programs. Fedele is the library’s head of adult services and has spent more than a decade working in the North Fork wine industry as a wine educator. She holds an advanced level 3 certification from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a diploma candidate in the organization’s program.
In 2023, programming coordinator Dawn Manwaring approached Fedele about developing and hosting a quarterly wine program that would be approachable and affordable for library patrons. The hour-long tastings cost $15 and feature three wines paired with three cheeses.
“I highlight both local and international wines guided by the philosophy that quality and value are not defined by price point alone,” says Fedele. “After we’ve finished tasting, I have participants guess the price of each wine. More often than not, they’re shocked to learn that some of their favorite wines from the tasting can be purchased for under $20 a bottle.”
Jul Fedele offers popular wine education classes at the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library. (Photos Courtesy of the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library)
The popular classes often sell out the day registration opens. “At the end of the day, wine shouldn’t be intimidating; much like library services, it should be accessible, approachable and grounded in meeting people where they are,” says Fedele.
Many local wineries also offer educational experiences throughout the year. While Macari Vineyards doesn’t offer a traditional class structure, according to Nicole Hennessey, Macari’s director of operations, they do host private educational sessions led by certified wine educators including a components tasting, comparing different varieties like cabernet franc and malbec where guests are encouraged to take notes and ask questions. “A majority of our staff is WSET certified level 3 and above,” says Hennessey.
Suhru & Lieb Vineyards has offered wine classes for years, according to Shelby Hearn Ulrich, the vineyard’s general manager and partner. “We rotate topics for our wine classes, which have included comparison tastings, food and wine pairings, library wine tastings, winemaker tastings, Wine 101, Bubbly & Beyond and blind tastings,” Hearn Ulrich says. Classes are offered as ticketed events on Sundays, hosted by Suhru & Lieb’s top wine educators primarily during the cooler months when there is the most interest.
As the North Fork wine industry continues to grow, these programs help cultivate a new generation of wine enthusiasts. Whether through a winery class, a guided tasting or a library program, wine lovers can gain a deeper understanding of what makes North Fork wines unique.
