Palmer Vineyards
5120 Sound Ave
Aquebogue, NY 11901
Pinot Blanc has to be Long Island’s speciality. Out of four wines we tried, Merlot is bit raw but all other three are decent, and the Pinot is the best. Although I found the guy has better attitude but over all their service is good, on a Thursday in late November.
* No outside food any longer. NO tasting any more – this is disappointing; and they sell vodka. *
Below is for the LI vineyards in general
Time has changed: 30 some years ago when my friend would stuck out her tongue “turning red …” when I mentioned LI vineyards. Wine tasting was free. 20 years ago, many vineyards have renovated and they charged a fee for tasting (flats… and discount if you buy after tasting …) About a decade ago the low cut/high hem girls arrived in doves in limos, signaling the arrival of Long Island vineyards. But Napa they’re NOT.
We haven’t been back in couple of years and today we see “no outside food” sign. Roanoke Vineyards even requires you to become a member to taste their wines (seriously?!? Hell NO!)
Good for them if they could forgo the bring-your-own-food concession. Some vineyards we went were outrageous that many patrons s even brought rolling coolers, that made the tasting rooms/tents noisy, messy and very annoying. Now with the table service, it seems no more tasting (wish they keep the tasting menu tho, with different flats …), straight per glass basis. But over all I’m glad they’ve prospered. Aside, churning out decent wines.
There is distance to catch up with Napa but east coast always does things differently than the West. Who knows. The hit and run party scenes may be the only way that make the vineyards survive.
On this note, I’d say go Long Island vineyard and go Long Island wines.