Ever since the first commercial vineyard on Long Island began growing grapes in 1973, the area has blossomed into one of the most reputable wine regions in the entire world.

With the majority of its vineyards located on the East End of Long Island, you can find some of the better wineries on LI's North Fork. Its climate, along with its soil characteristics and geography, provide the ideal conditions for producing wines of a most unique quality.

Boasting around 60 vineyards that range from two-and-a-half planted acres to over 500 acres, many acclaimed food and wine magazines hail the North Fork of Long Island as one of the most exciting wine producing regions in the world.

In 2006, the region received very favorable reviews in The Wine Spectator, The New York Times and, for the first time, in a comprehensive report in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, rating the region from "Very Good" (85-89) to "Outstanding" (90-95). 

Television personality and food writer David Rosengarten said, "the enchanted East End of Long Island has become one of the world's great vineyard regions."

And with most New York restaurants and wine shops serving up at least one North Fork-produced vino, it'd be hard to deny yourself a taste of the East End.

An extended tour of Vineyards such as Duck Walk North, Vineyard 48, or Martha Clara Vineyards will allow you to sample or purchase a variety of different wines directly from the people who make them.

Paired up with the beautiful scenery, great food and impressive hotels that surround the area, Long Island's North Fork is certainly one of the premiere locations when it comes to experiencing some of the best wine that New York has to offer.

Click "Start" to study up on 10 of the North Fork's premiere wineries.

With its Tuscan-style building, lavish tasting rooms with imported stain glass doors, and a state-of-the-art winery, Wölffer Estate Winery rivals some of the most well-known European wine houses. Known for its highly popular dry Rosé (“Summer in a Bottle”), Wölffer Estate pride itself on its classical style of winemaking which embodies a rich concentration of fruit and lively acidity. The 55-acre winery is also a unique destination in the spring and fall as it offers live music, wines by the glass, and mulled wine and cheese/charcuterie plates for purchase. 139 Sagg Road P.O. Box 9002 Sagaponack, NY 11962 Ph: 631-537-5106

One of the most well-known vineyards on Long Isalnd, Duck Walk was founded in in 1994 by Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos and his son, Alexander. In 2007, the family featured a second location – Duck Walk North on Long Island’s North Fork. Boasting high vaulted ceilings, two custom tasting bars and expansive outdoor patio, the extension was beautifully designed to give visitors a true Long Island Wine Country experience. 44535 Main Road Southold, NY 11971 Ph: 631-765-3500

Family owned and operated since 2001, Waters Crest Winery is referred to as Long Island’s premier garagiste – a term used in Bordeaux to describe a winemaker who produces small quantities of premium wine in an artisanal style. Having scored in the top ranks of both national and international competitions and publications, the North Fork winery stays true to Long Island by carefully selecting its grapes from local growers. All of their wines are hand crafted and bottled on-site. 22355 Rte. 48, Unit 6 Cutchogue, NY 11935 Ph: 631-734-5065

Although they are not entirely known for their wine, The Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard is producing some of the finest Chardonnay’s and Merlot’s on the North Fork. Starting off as a farmers' market and eventually expanding into a vineyard in 2003, winemaker Kareem Massoud and manager Edward Harbes IV are using meticulous research to produce some of the aromatic and flavorful wines on Long Island’s East End. The Harbes family invites you to take in the full farmers experience while enjoying the fruits of their labor. 715 Sound Avenue Mattituck, NY 11952 Ph: 631-298-WINE(9463)

Award-winning to say the least, Clovis Point has obtained critical acclaim for its varietal wines that come from a once popular 1920s potato barn. From Merlot to Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, tank- and barrel-fermented Chardonnays, the boutique winery even specializes in an East End Rosé that is made in limited quantities. The vineyard that has been growing grapes since 2007 is known among wine lovers as a rare find on Long Island’s North Fork. 1935 Main Road P.O. Box 669 Jamesport, NY 11947 Ph: 718-468-0592

After realizing the potential that his land had for grape growing, Robert Entenmann, grandson of William, who founded the world-renowned Entenmann’s Bakery, ventured into wine production. The vineyard, named after Robert’s mother, spans 112 acres and offers guided carriage rides that take you throughout the grounds. Not limiting itself to being just another great vineyard on the North Fork, Martha Clara doubles as a great destination for art exhibits, cooking demonstrations, film festivals and benefit concerts which have featured Jimmy Cliff, Mary Wilson and Jimmy Buffett. 6025 Sound Avenue Riverhead, NY 11901 Ph: 631-298-0075

Known for its award-winning Riesling, Vineyard 48 is named for its location on Route 48 on Long Island’s North Fork. Established in 1982, the winery is extremely popular with restaurants all over New York. Complete with live music, an open-air tasting room and a cigar shop, Vineyard 48 encourages you to stop by its North Fork location for a wine experience like no other on Long Island. 18910 Route 48, Cutchogue, NY 11935 Ph: 631-734-5200

Corey Creek is known for, among other things, it’s Reserve Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer, which both won the "Best in New York State" distinction for 2006. Led by 30-year veteran Winemaker Rich Olsen-Harbich, Corey Creek’s wines are produced from homemade grapes that are grown on 80 planted acres. The vineyards are overlooked by high elevation tasting rooms which set the perfect scene to enjoy a glass of award-winning wine. 45470 Main Road/Rte. 25 Southold, NY 11971 Ph: 631-765-4168

Since 1982, Bob and Joyce Pellegrini have produced award-winning wine at Pellegrini Vineyards on the North Fork. Their state-of-the-art facility has gained a reputation for developing innovative techniques as the winery was the first on Long Island to utilize the gentle punch-down methods during red fermentation, the first to monitor and control moisture levels in the vineyard, and the first to implement a two-barrel aging process for red varietal bottling’s. The result is some of the best wine on Long Island’s East End. 23005 Route 25 Cutchogue, NY 11935 Ph: 631-734-4111

Don’t let size fool you. Even though Diliberto Vineyard & Winery is among the smallest vineyards on the East End of Long Island, it certainly carries a big stick. Diliberto's initial entry into the world of wine competition was met with startling success -- the three wines they submitted to the New York Wine & Food Classic in August 2004 were each awarded a Gold Medal. To add to the appeal, their 2003 Merlot was named “Best Merlot” at the New York Wine & Food Classic. With just four acres of planted vines, Diliberto Winery is proving that good things come in small packages. 250 Manor Lane Jamesport, NY 11947 Ph: 631-722-3416