For the ninth year in a row, Long Island Wine Week returns May 3 – 10 with a sensational wine tasting program showcasing the best varieties by local winemakers. The festivities will officially launch with Taste on the Beach on Stehli and Ransom Beaches In Bayville, NY, where you can savor the region’s best wines alongside artisan bites, and a live jazz set against a scenic waterfront backdrop.
History of winemaking in New York
While colonial attempts to plant European vines failed, New York’s wine industry finally blossomed in 1824 when a French immigrant began cultivation in Washingtonville. He passed on his business to his sons who eventually founded Brotherhood Winery, the oldest continuously operating winery in the country.
By the mid-19th century, the state further solidified its status with the founding of the Pleasant Valley Wine Company — the first bonded winery in the U.S. — and experimental vineyards in what is now Lower Manhattan. New York also played a vital role in preserving wine culture during Prohibition by producing medicinal and sacramental vintages.
The state witnessed a bit of a wine renaissance in the 1970s, thanks to the 1976 Farm Winery Act, which catalyzed a shift from industrial production to over 400 diverse estates. On Long Island particularly, there were Alex and Louisa Hargrave who planted the first vines in the North Fork, helped by the maritime climate. Similarly, legendary Dr. Frank proved that the Finger Lakes could produce Rieslings that rivaled those of the Mosel in Germany.
Long Island Wine Week: What to expect
Today, the state is a global contender, having Long Island in the forefront, commonly referred to as “the Bordeaux of New York” for its high-end Merlot and Cabernet Franc. You can have a taste of history this May during the annual Long Island Wine Week, kicking off with Taste on the Beach at 12:00 pm at Stehli Beach, only an hour drive from NYC.
There will be complimentary samplings and full-sized offerings for purchase, alongside jazz concerts, grape stomping and a special book signing with Long Island’s own celebrity chef Tom Schaudel.
During the week, some of the best Long Island wineries are set to participate at this season’s event, including Channing Daughters, Wölffer Estate, Bedell Cellars, Kontokosta Winery, Croteaux, Paumanok, and Borghese Vineyards. These wineries will also host brunch tasting experiences, private tours, art and wine workshops, live music and happy hour. Check their calendars to find out your favorite winery’s full list of events.
More wine tastings in NYC
Keep the wine flowing at more events coming to NYC, such as The Blind Explorers on May 7 for a Champagne-packed tour of the extremely exclusive Explorers Club ($345). For a more understated and casual event, An Idiot’s Guide to Wine ($55) on June 13 is great for wine enthusiasts that don’t take themselves too seriously, combining six different wine varietals with laughter.
*Please note that guests must be 21+ to attend these events.
12 June 2026 18:00 + more dates
