Wineries
Lenz Winery, Peconic
Lenz is a long-standing part of our summer tradition. We are still members, and we always love spending summer afternoons relaxing in their shaded courtyard.
June 28: An afternoon visit on a lovely day in the upper 70s, sitting under the large maple tree in the middle of the courtyard. We were surprised to find out they had completely run out of Cuvée! Leandra got a glass of the member-complimentary 2019 Merlot (90, drinking even better than last year, good value), while I tried a few of their newer whites:
- 2025 Sauvignon Blanc: Fairly big for this vintage. Lots of stone fruit (especially apricot), with medium-high acidity and a lingering finish. (89)
- 2025 Blanc de Noir: Red fruit and nectarine with a little sweetness and balanced acidity. (88)
- Firefly White NV: Reminiscent of a light Gewürztraminer, showing melon and wet stone minerality. Good acidity and an easy summer wine. (86)
- Firefly Rosé NV: Thin, with a bit of a plastic note. Didn’t finish this one. (76)
Since it was such a nice day, we ordered a full bottle of the Sauvignon Blanc to enjoy outside, taking home what we didn’t finish.
July 12: Back again on a lovely afternoon in the upper 70s with low humidity and a light breeze, this time sitting on the porch. I went for the complimentary 2023 Chardonnay, while Leandra ordered a taster flight of four reds.
July 24: We intended to buy another bottle of the Sauvignon Blanc to enjoy onsite, but Leandra thought to ask about the Cuvée – they had recently labeled a new batch of bottles! We quickly pivoted. However, we found the 2019 Cuvée a touch sweeter than previous vintages, especially as it warmed up in the glass, and we generally still prefer the 2017 vintage. Perhaps it will continue to evolve with time.
Suhru / Lieb Winery, Cutchogue
We really enjoyed our visit to their Oregon Road location last year, so we made a point to return. This time we met up with friends on a Friday afternoon and split a bottle of the La Crescent sparkling, and then Leandra and I stayed a little longer to try the still La Crescent. The staff recorked our partial bottle to take home, and we bought a second bottle of the still La Crescent to drink back in NC.
Tulio’s NY Wine Bar, Mattituck
It had been a few years since we had tasted Roanoke Vineyard’s wines, so we decided to drop by their wine bar on Love Lane in Mattituck, taking seats inside at the window high-top. I tried the 2025 Infinite Possibility, which was pleasant but didn’t feel particularly distinct, leaning more acidic than the Sauvignon Blanc, with the Chardonnay and Riesling components showing through most. Instead, I went with the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, a classic Long Island-style with notes of peanut, hay, and mineral, opening up into more tropical fruit like banana and pineapple. Leandra opted for the 2022 Marco Tulio Red, which gave off cocoa powder on the first nose, turning to evergreen later, alongside cranberry and a surprising hint of banana. It’s a great tasting room, and we would definitely return.
One Woman Vineyards, Southold
Much like last summer, we met up with friends here. I tried a half glass of the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, Leandra had a half glass of the Malbec, and then we all split a bottle of the 2020 Sparkling Grüner Veltliner, which was a standout! It paired wonderfully with our cheese tray, and we finished off with a chocolate chip cookie for dessert. A fun visit as usual.
Breweries
Spider Bite Beer Co., Holbrook
After making it through NYC traffic with relatively minimal delays, we decided to reward ourselves with a quick stop at Spider Bite. I had the Drinkin’ Wit Lincoln Witbier, while Leandra went for a 12oz pour of the Peanut Butter Boris Imperial Stout. The taproom was quiet for a Saturday early afternoon, playing mostly 90s music while we were there.
Moriches Field Brewing Company, Center Moriches
Our second stop as we made our way further east. Leandra ordered the Twirling Bear Imperial Stout (a 5oz pour with great hints of coconut and chocolate—delish!), while I went with the Spring Bolt Sour with passionfruit, which was also great. We sat outside under an umbrella on a cool, overcast day.
North Fork Brewing Company, Riverhead
We drove over to our favorite local brewery after work one afternoon to unwind. I ordered the Draft Funk Sour with peaches, which hit the spot nicely. Leandra had the Glazed Boi, a sweet stout on nitro.