THE NORTH FORK SPARKLES

Summer is over, now what?  Fall officially begins this Friday and that means it's the perfect time of year to watch the leaves change color and to visit the wineries of the North Fork for Harvest Season.  The North Fork of Long Island, New York sparkles each fall when many of the local wineries open their sparkling wines.  Consider it like jet setting to France for champagne tasting (except that nothing can be called champagne unless it comes from the Champagne region in France), but this trip will be cheaper and shorter!  I have visited the North Fork many times during the summer months, but have never been out during the off-season, and I've heard that it's a wonderful time to visit too.  I tried looking to see if I could find information about when the season is and which wineries to visit for sparkling wines and it wasn't too easy to find.  I did some research and here is what I came up with:

When to Visit: September-November

Where to Go To Sip:
Sparkling Pointe- This winery focuses exclusively on producing sparkling wines because they grow all three of the traditional champagne grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier).  Make sure to try their Brut Seduction which won top awards at the San Francisco Wine Competition.  Sparkling Pointe also does Sparkling Wines & Oyster events that start as early as this month!  (Champagne and Oysters-  I think I'm in heaven!!!)

Lenz Winery- Make sure to try their Cuvee (a sparkling wine made 100% from Pinot Noir), also try their Blanc de Blanc (made 100% from Pinot Blanc grapes), and Blanc de Noirs (made 100% from Pinot Noir grapes).  Their Pinot Blanc won awards by Wine Spectator Magazine and at the L.A. International Wine Competition for being a pretty, delicate and good bubbly.

Palmer Vineyards- This winery produces Sparkling Brut (made 100% from Chardonnay grapes).

Several other wineries on the North Fork also produce Sparkling Wines too, but these three have recently won top awards and press for their varieties.  Three others that are great to visit include Croteaux Vineyards (with an all-pink wine list), Sherwood House and Shinn Estate Vineyards.  Now I'm going to try to find a place to stay and then book my trip.  I can't wait to head out there this fall!