3 ways to ring in the North Fork's wine harvest season
Ashley James, of Brooklyn, at an afternoon of wine tasting at RGNY in Riverhead. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
If you live on Long Island, you know the season-changing excitement that comes with the turning of the leaves — and it's not pumpkin spice. For wine-lovers, fall harvest season means grape-fueled events at Long Island wineries.
Whether you’re looking to get in on the action with a grape-picking session or get your burger (and pinot) on with a view of the vines, there's a harvest event for every kind of wine drinker.
Burger Night at McCall’s
22600 NY-25, Cutchogue
Patrons enjoying burger night at McCall Wines in Cutchogue. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
On Thursday and Friday evenings from 4-8 p.m., reds like Pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon with an Old World sensibility reign supreme at McCall. Owner Russ McCall breeds Charolais beef cattle on the property and came up with a long-running burger night as a way to use all his beef. "We didn’t try to get into the burger business," McCall said last year. It's just that 80% of the beef is burger meat. The weekly event has introduced the winery's vintages to a younger, more casual crowd, he said. Burgers ($15) can be paired with fries ($5), wine and chocolate chip cookies for dessert — meat is also sold in the winery’s shop for those who prefer an at-home barbecue.
More info: Offered through Columbus Day, reservations encouraged. 631-734-5764, mccallwines.com
Sparkling Pointe's 20-year celebration
39750 County Road 48, Southold
Sparkling Pointe is marking its 20th anniversary making sparkling wine on Long Island. Credit: Randee Daddona
Sparkling Pointe owners Cynthia and Tom Rosicki, along with French winemaker Gilles Martin, produce the East End’s best-known bubbles in the traditional Méthode Champenois. The vineyard's 40 acres are brimming with classic Champagne grape varieties — Pinot noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay. The trio celebrates the winery’s 20-year anniversary with a brunch and legacy wine tasting event at noon on Sept. 28. The catered outdoor brunch features pumpkin spice popovers and glazed cinnamon rolls, while individual courses feature shrimp cocktail, mascarpone-filled crepes, and Sunnyside egg-topped grain bowls. The event includes tastings of legacy library wines and current release selections. Tickets are $150.
More info: 631-765-0200; sparklingpointe.com
Snip and sip at RGNY
6025 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Founded in Parras, Mexico, one of the oldest viticultural regions on the continent, RGNY is the stateside arm of RGMX, a central Mexican winery that launched in 2019, expanded to Riverhead in 2021 and has made a name for itself with its unusual white merlot. Although RGNY’s annual stomp party sold out quickly, visitors can still get in on the action at the Help Us Harvest event on Oct. 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The interactive day teaches guests the intricacies of harvest — including clipping and sorting grapes for the 2025 vintages — and includes a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, a seafood-themed lunch from Braun’s Food Truck, two glasses of wine and a master class from winemaker Leo Mora. Tickets are $21.73-$97.75.
If viniculture doesn’t excite you, RGNY is also known for its food and drink events highlighting Mexican culture. The Dia de los Muertos party, commemorating the holiday of life and death, is an adults-only (21 and older) cocktail party Nov. 2 from 7 to 11 p.m. with live performances, a DJ, dinner (and mezcal) from RGNY’s chef Cheo Avila; costumes encouraged. Tickets are $39.11-$298.11. More info: 631-298-0075, rgnywine.com
A global freelancer who has checked her suitcase to raise her young daughter on her native Long Island, Marie Elena will always make time for good mezcal, even better tacos and killer conversation. Preferably, in a corner bar seat. She can be found on Instagram at @mariesworldeats.
