Lowdown on Long Island
for a little tasting at our next stop, Kontokosta Winery, one of 60- plus farms and vineyards that make up Long Island’s flourishing Wine Country.
Opened in 2002, North Fork’s first and only waterfront tasting rooms are fully sustainable. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the coast, guests can pop in for a tasting masterclass in the grounds of the glorious 62-acre vineyard which produces Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Riesling, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet Franc was my favourite.
Our base, boutique hotel The Menhaden, is a listed yet incredibly modern building offering 16 rooms and a rooftop deck with birds-eye views of Greenport Harbour.
South Fork undoubtedly steals the limelight for the island’s famous residents. It also boasts a rich arts and culture scene.
The Parrish Art Museum, close to Southampton, celebrates local talent. It is home to more than 2,600 works of art
and hosts workshops for children and lectures on local culture and American history (parrishart.org). The Southampton Arts Centre also has a varied programme of exhibitions, movie screenings and theatre and concert performances.
In the hamlet of Water Mill, just up the road from Southampton, we checked into White Fences Inn.
With a fireplace in each room, this chic B&B run by Eric and Liz Brodar felt like a home from home.
There is a private pool but the hotel is just a couple of miles from the sands.
And as guests are given a parking permit it meant we could visit the private beaches, gawp at the luxurious properties dotted along the coastline… and even spot a celebrity or two.