Eastern Long Island, New York
The East End of Long Island, New York, including The Hamptons and Long Island Wine Country enjoys an international reputation for its ocean beaches, renowned wineries, charming villages, chic stores, fine restaurants, and social scene. This unique corner of the world affords visitors an unmatched experience.
Serving as Gateway to the East End. Riverhead is home to multiple golf courses including Friar's Head Golf Course, in Baiting Hollow, an internationally acclaimed for its use of natural beauty, and Tanger Mall Outlets, with over 165 brand name manufacturers and designers outlets. Wildwood State Park in Wading River attracts picnicker and campers from all over. The Town of Riverhead, provides open farm vistas, access to Peconic Bay, Long Island Sound and Peconic River, and leads eastward to the Twin Forks: The Hamptons and North Fork Wine Country.
Perhaps the most famous of the Twin Forks, The Hamptons are often considered the playground of the rich and famous. Indeed communities such as Sagoponak, Watermill, and Georgica Pond have gained fame as home to writers, artists, models, television and Hollywood personalities and business mavens. Behind the hedges of Southampton and East Hampton are mansions of stupendous proportions and the chic shops of the tree lined villages respond to the needs of their wealthy clientele.
However, it's not just the rich and famous that enjoys the windswept ocean beaches, natural beauty, and charming villages of The Hamptons. Surfers and fishermen flock to Montauk Point where seafood lovers feast at Gosman's Dock. Yachts and sail boats dock in the harbor of old whaling village of Sag Harbor and golfers and tennis enthusiasts play their sports at world class facilities. Night life is plentiful as are the famous Hampton Parties and events. The Hampton Classic Horse Show, the largest hunter jumper show in the United States traditionally marks the end of the season and is as much a showcase for the spectators as it is for the riders.
Where else but in Southampton can someone stay in a B&B run by a real English Butler, A Butler's Manor - Southampton Bed and Breakfast. Where else but in East Hampton, perhaps the most beautiful village of the Hamptons, can one dine at incredible restaurants overlooking the peaceful and historic village pond? The Hamptons are a Mecca for art lovers with galleries in Bridgehampton, East Hampton, South Hampton and Sag Harbor. Where else but The Hamptons can one get a pedicure while looking out on the Atlantic Ocean and be pampered with body treatments in a world class spa?.
North Fork Wine Country has burst into the public's consciousness and now rivals the Hamptons as the most desirable destination not only for New Yorkers, but for visitors from the adjoining states New Jersey and especially Connecticut with its ferry access to Orient Point and Port Jefferson. In 2004 North Fork Wine Trails was officially designated by Governor Pataki as part of Long Island Wine Country and over sixty vineyards make up this designated area. While some are located in Nassau County, the majority are on the East End, most specifically, The North Fork. Long Island Wine Country is also rivaling Sonoma Valley in popularity for wine tours and immersion in a unique culture. Perhaps the Hollywood movie, Sideways, demonstrated just how much fun wine tasting can be! Of course, it helps when the wines are receiving acclaim from the wine publications and winning awards from national and international competitions.
Bud Break occurs in early spring and the wineries celebrate the budding of the vines with music, new releases, and art shows. Anticipation increases as the vines grow and visitors get caught up in the hopeful excitement of the year's crop. All the wineries have tasting rooms staffed by experienced personnel who gladly offer guidance in appreciating the subtleties of each wine variety. Wine pairing dinners are often sponsored with food provided by gourmet caterers and all North Fork restaurants pour local wines.
The perfect grape growing micro climate of the North Fork is aided by the surrounding primary waters of LI Sound and Peconic Bay, and the countless coves, inlets, harbors, marshlands and lakes also contribute to the mild winters and cool summers. These also create one of the most delicately fragile and incredibly beautiful areas in the world. National Geographic has described Cutchogue in the heart of wine country as "One of America's most charming, out-of-the-way small towns. " National Geographic Guide to Small Town Escapes, and the National Weather Service has declared it "The sunniest spot in all of New York State. " Cutchogue is not the only charming town in Wine Country. Almost any country lane in Southold, Mattituck, Peconic, New Suffolk, East Marion or Orient will lead you to a place of natural beauty. Greenport Village is a true harbor town complete with a waterside carousel, maritime museum, antique shops, and fine restaurants. As the grapes ripen on the vine and harvest season arrives, farm stands brim with fall vegetables, pumpkins, and corn stalks. Families pick apples at historic Wickham's Fruit Farm and brave the corn maze maze at Harbes Family Farm.
No matter what the season, visitors are enthralled by the rustic elegance and warm hospitality of the North Fork. The wineries are highly sought after as locations for weddings, private parties, and corporate gatherings. Brides and other event planners benefit from a wide array of supportive services including event planners, caterers, florists and photographers. The town has kept a close eye on development, so there is still lots of open space and no major hotels. There are many gracious B&B's, however, offering superior comfort and warm welcomes. Local restaurants pride themselves on serving the finest local seafood and produce from local farms such as Sang Lee Farms, featured on nationally syndicated Martha Stewart shows.
The feeling you'll experience when visiting the East End will remain part of you long after you have returned home. You'll want to rekindle the feeling in the midst of winter, and share the feeling with your family and friends. When you just can't get away, you can always bring the East End to you with a bottle of LI Wine.
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