Twenty years ago, Long Island’s wineries were shuttered during the winter months. Visitors who ventured here might have found a slow-moving vintner topping silent barrels, or maybe be invited into a dark tasting barn by a meandering old dog.
Today, the wine scene has become positively lively after New Year’s, with many interesting and alluring events planned to attract new visitors and reward returning friends. Although it may surprise some local East Enders who still have not gotten around to visiting the wineries, Long Island wines have garnered an international reputation, important enough for visitors from the other side of the world to make a side tour of the region when they come to visit the Big Apple.
During the months of February and March, locals and visitors alike now have many options to explore the region’s wineries, with the added attraction of entertainment by top-notch musicians. “Long Island Winterfest,” with its series of “Jazz on the Vine” performances and other promotions, is sponsored by the Long Island Wine Council, in partnership with the East End Arts Council and the LI Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. This year, through March 17, on any given weekend several wineries will host musicians—ranging from Mundo Clave to Shenole Latimer and from the Amy Cervino Trio to Nu Mo Swing. The admission price of $10 includes a glass of wine.
Given the different sizes of the host wineries, the experience may vary from cabaret to concert style, but all who come will enjoy the intimacy of sharing music and wine with friends. The Blur Division, appearing on March 16 at Sherwood House Vineyards in Mattituck, promises a “mind-set of inclusiveness,” explaining that its “ultimate goal has been to make stimulating discoveries concerning their own individual approach to the world of sound, and in the process make their own singular contribution toward bridging the already narrowing gaps between the disparate segments of the global community.” Add a glass of wine to that, and everyone’s happy. Or happily puzzled.
Sparkling Pointe Winery in Southold is always fun to visit for its vivacious Brazilian flair (I know; wine and Brazil don’t automatically come to mind together, but hey, this place is about hedonism). As part of its participation in the Winterfest series, on March 17, music by Sabor Brasil will be featured.
Another group that many who enjoy the East End’s summer dance concerts already know and love, Mambo Loco, will appear March 17 at Raphael Bay Winery in Cutchogue. Their fiery drumming and lively Latin beat will get the sap going in more than the dormant vines outside.
This year Winterfest has an added sponsor, the Hotel Indigo, which will feature its own series of jazz concerts in its Bistro 72. For a full schedule of Winterfest happenings, visit liwinterfest.com.
Besides Winterfest, several other wineries offer alluring activities as well.
Wölffer Estate Vineyards in Sagaponack has its own musical series of “Thursday Night Jam Sessions” and “Candlelight Fridays,” offering free mellow music with mulled or chilled wines and cheese/charcuterie plates (for purchase).
Another favorite offering is Diliberto Vineyard & Winery’s “Sunday Dinner with Grandma,” a series of authentic Italian Sunday midday dinners accompanied by live opera music in the Diliberto’s Tuscan style tasting room in Jamesport. Learn how to make pasta while listening to Sal Diliberto’s sonorous voice.
At the Lenz Winery in Peconic, winemaker Eric Fry leads intensive wine tasting sessions that will do more for your wine knowledge than a trip to Napa. These are held on Saturday mornings, by appointment, for $25.
Looking ahead, on March 30, Lieb Cellars in Mattituck will host a 2012 Spring Preview Party. The event will be held in its snazzy barrel room for those who want to taste the evolving new wines.
Also worth penciling into your calendar, on April 26, Sherwood House will host its second Stargazing & Wine on the lawn behind the barn at the Jamesport Tasting House. The astronomers from the Southold-based Custer Institute and Observatory will lead a tour of the night’s sky with their best telescopes. You bring a blanket and a picnic, they’ll provide the wine and stars.
If you’re still stuck in your armchair for the winter’s duration, you can also experience a vicarious nature experience that includes the landscape at The Old Field Vineyards in Southold. Japanese photographer Koichiro Kurita has made pictorial interpretations of Henry David Thoreau’s ideas, using the Calotype, a photographic process used during Thoreau’s time.
These images can be viewed online at beyondspheres.org. Get yourself a glass of Old Field Cabernet Franc or Chardonnay, put your favorite music on, and contemplate nature without moving an inch.
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