North Fork of Long Island AVA Wineries

North Cliff Vineyards is a boutique winery located in Cutchogue on the North Fork of Long Island. We are different from the other wineries because we actually grow the grapes that we use in our wine. We don't source our grapes from other vineyards. We harvest the grapes from our farm and then crush them in our winery. We are in the vineyard all four seasons of the year. We know the grapes that we put into our wine. Because we are a boutique winery, we are open on the weekends by appointment only. We cater to the individual wine connoisseur who enjoys a quality wine. We specialize in red wine-- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot.

Raphael was born from the vision of owner John Petrocelli, who named the winery in honor of his father and continues a centuries old family tradition of winemaking. The winemaking philosophy is based on an understanding of the cycle of nature, the climate and soil, the ripeness of the grapes and the success of time-honored techniques. Utilizing gravity flow and a natural winemaking philosophy, Raphael wines are produced sustainably, utilizing controlled fermentation with little fining and filtration resulting in wines that purely express our local terroir. Our mission is to produce ripe, fruit-driven wines that exhibit a marriage of depth, finesse, elegance, and balance – the flavors of the North Fork – provided first by the terroir and secondly, by the dedicated, impassioned attention of our winemaking team. The winery was designed by John Petrocelli who was inspired by the Italian monasteries of his ancestral home. Our production facility blends classic Mediterranean architecture with modern winemaking equipment. By building the winery 12 feet underground we are not only able to make our wines using a gentle gravity-flow method, but were able to construct a very energy efficient building using the earth’s natural 55F temperature to cool the winery in the summer and warm it in the winter. Throughout the seasons, the devoted vineyard staff carries out the rigorous work of caring for the vines. Our vineyard manager Stephen Mudd, is dedicated to sustainable agriculture, safeguarding the quality of the wine and raising it to its utmost perfection. Stephen brings over 30 years of experience in managing vineyards and is considered one of the pioneers of Long Island grape growing. Most of the work is done by hand, year-round; from pruning to leaf pulling. The ancient practice of fruit thinning is carried out during the summer and fall. Approximately half of our crop is sacrificed every year to insure that the remaining fruit will reach the ultimate peak of ripeness. Raphael is one of the few wine estates in the United States that harvest entirely by hand. Work carries on until the carefully chosen moment-when the harvest starts and the grapes are gathered by hand in the traditional and time-honored way. Nothing but the best fruit makes it into our wine. An old French proverb states, “Only the vines that overlook the water are capable of producing wines of great quality.” Terroir is the French term that can be loosely translated as “a sense of place.” It is the influence and interaction of the climate and soil of a specific location on the flavors and aromas of the grapes and subsequently, the wine. The North Fork of Long Island is the sunniest spot in New York State and one of the few places on the east coast that can properly ripen European wine grapes. Our terroir is derived from our glacial soils and maritime climate that is influenced by the surrounding waters of the Peconic Bay and the Long Island Sound. Some characteristics of our terroir found in the wines of the North Fork are flavors of indigenous, coastal fruits such as strawberry, blackberry, cranberry and beach plum in the red wines, as well as a distinct saline mineralogy found in many of the whites.

Nestled in the breezy and beautiful North Fork of Long Island, Cynthia and Tom Rosicki have dedicated Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery to estate grown sparkling wines produced exclusively in the traditional Méthode Champenoise. Farming 40 acres of vineyard, planted only with the classic Champagne grape varieties—Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay—each Sparkling Pointe cuvée is an authentic expression of the land and the winemaker’s finesse. The rhythmic union of personality and house style, the art of assemblage, and the pursuit of excellence are at the essence of all Sparkling Pointe Wines.

Known for their signature dry, clean and fruit-forward style, Suhru & Lieb Vineyards offers a portfolio of estate-grown, still and sparkling wines made by Long Island veteran winemaker Russell Hearn. Enjoy a glass or a tasting while overlooking rolling farmland and our beautiful vineyards, tucked away on Oregon Road, one of the most picturesque locations on the East End! We are proud to have 54-acres of certified sustainable vines, including the largest contiguous plot of Pinot Blanc in the United States. Suhru & Lieb Vineyards produces two labels. Suhru Wines, focuses on lesser known grape varietals and lesser known winemaking styles. Lieb Cellars, is known for the classic vitis vinifera grape varieties and elegant sparkling wines; think Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, as well as Bordeaux style red wines including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and a full-bodied red blend.