Succumb to the Wine Charms of Aquebogue
Wine making is an option that is both unusual and pleasurable amidst the metropolitan frenzy of New York. People everywhere have the option of buying amateur kits to make token quantities of the celebrated beverage, but Aquebogue in Suffolk County is wine country with a difference.
The moraine of Long Island, formed by retreating glaciers, has well-drained soil that is eminently suited for wine making of distinction. Vineyards and wineries in the charming town of Aquebogue have raced to an enviable position in the exclusive world of making wine. Connoisseurs from all parts of the globe look forward to sampling the special qualities of Long Island wine.
A vintage wooden structure on Route 25, with odds and ends for sale marks the beginning of wine country, as New Yorkers drive East in search of escape from the concrete and traffic of their lives. The Kooky Landmark, which has been open for business since the 1920s, is a delightful signal of Aquebogue’s simplicity.
The two thousand folk who inhabit the four square miles of this delectable hamlet, incorporated as early as in 1758, have far greater depth than their humble and cheerful dispositions belie. Aquebogue almost touches the 41st parallel North of the Equator. It is rare to find quality wine at this latitude, but the highly skilled oenologists who tend to their vines as though they were precious children, have managed to produce many award-winning wines from vineyards and wineries in the area.
Not every Aquebogue wine enthusiast is a local farmer. A New York professional owns Le Clos Th�©r�¨se on Union Avenue and Route 105. Her husband who has studied and practiced wine making in manages the vineyard. European cultivation methods distinguish the vineyard. Two thousand five hundred vines grace each acre, against the Long Island norm of twelve hundred. You can call (631) 871-9194 and make an appointment, a fortnight in advance, for a vineyard tour. There can be no better place to become an authority in making wine. The vineyard focuses on cultivation but the farm also makes token quantities of wine.
Palmer Vineyards, owned by an Advertising wizard, is another famous part of Aquebogue’s incredibly beautiful wine country. It is not far from the last exit (73) on the Long Island Expressway. (Telephone (631) 722-9463). The Tasting House is available for private functions in the evenings. It accommodates up to 120 guests. What a place for a memorable social or a business event!
Paumanok Vineyards is on 1074 Main Road (Route 25): Phone (631) 722-8800. It has an atmosphere as quaint as that of the close-knit family that runs it. A 19th century structure houses the winery. The Tasting Room and Deck are great for weddings and other special occasions.
Long Island Wine Tours (718-WINE-TOURS(946-3868) or 516-LIMO-SERVICE (546-6737)) can lay on a conducted tour of Long Island vineyards by limousine for small groups. This is a luxurious way of learning about wine making, though such trips are more for the joys of wine tasting than for learning the intricacies of wine making!
Let wine charms rule your leisure time! The wine country of Aquebogue awaits you! The enchanting countryside and skills of tending to the vines will combine with the intricacies of making wine to make you a knowledgeable wine enthusiast for life. You can make convenient day trips from downtown Manhattan, and make the most refreshing breaks of your weekends. Do keep in mind that the vineyards of Aquebogue are idyllic settings for special social and exclusive business events.
