North Fork of Long Island AVA

The North Fork of Long Island is a special area in the eastern part of Suffolk County, New York where people grow grapes and make wine. It became an official wine region, known as an American Viticultural Area (AVA), on October 10, 1986. This made it the 89th such area in the whole country and the fifth in New York state.

This wine region includes the townships of Riverhead, Shelter Island, and Southold, covering a big area of land—101,440 acres. There are over 40 wineries and about 27 vineyards growing grapes on around 3,000 acres. The weather there is special because it is close to Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. These waters help keep the temperatures steady and give the grapes more time to grow, making the season longer than in other New York wine places.

People grow many kinds of grapes here, but the most common ones are Merlot, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. One special thing about this area is that it has the largest group of Pinot Blanc grapes in the United States. This vineyard is at Suhru & Lieb Vineyards in Cutchogue and covers 54 acres. It was bought by Mark Lieb in 1999, making it a very important place for wine growers.

History

Long ago, people on the North Fork of Long Island grew grapes on structures called arbors behind their homes. These grapes were not the kind used for wine until much later. In the late 1700s, a place called Prince Nurseries in Queens (New York City) began sending special grapes to people all over Long Island, including the North Fork.

In 1963, a man named John Wickham planted grapes that did very well. One type was called "Suffolk Red" because it grew so nicely in Suffolk County. Before this, grapes used for wine did not survive well because of diseases. John Wickham's success encouraged others to grow grapes too. In the late 1970s, more and more people became interested in growing grapes for wine on the North Fork.

Professor John Tomkins from Cornell University held meetings about grape-growing in the North Fork in 1968 and 1971. He helped guide a man named Alex Hargrave to start Hargrave Vineyard in 1973, which was the first commercial vineyard for wine grapes on the North Fork in the 20th century. The North Fork's soil and weather were perfect for growing grapes, especially types like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Terroir

Topography and Climate

The North Fork of Long Island has a special climate that helps grapes grow well. The Atlantic Ocean surrounds the North Fork, keeping the area cooler in summer and warmer in winter than many places at the same latitude. This ocean water helps create a longer growing season for grapes. The North Fork gets plenty of sunshine and has very little fog, which helps crops ripen earlier than in other areas nearby. The constant breeze from the water also helps keep the plants healthy.

Soils

The soil on the North Fork is different from the soil on the South Fork. The North Fork’s soil is sandy and well-drained, which can make it hard to keep moist enough for plants. Some areas have deeper, richer soil that is good for growing crops. These soil differences give the grapes from the North Fork a unique taste compared to grapes from other places.