Old Field Winery
Long Island, New York

Visit Date: Sept 2003

This was definitely my favorite winery of the September 2003 trip to the island. Everything was right about it in a very Long Island manner. The wines were delicious. The owners were there, pouring and friendly. The tasting room was a white tent right next to the vineyards. We could talk as long as we wanted, as lots of questions and felt like we were chatting with friends. The wines were reasonably priced, and there were friendly chickens looking for a cracker snack!

The family has farmed the land here for generations and when Long Island was found to have a climate perfect for grape-growing, they converted over. Usually the grapes were sold to others, but starting last September the family has begun producing its own wines. Perry, the daughter of the winemaker, was pouring the wines when we visited, easily answering questions and having fun with us.

We began with the 2000 Reserve Chardonnay Gold Label Reserve. This was creamy and fresh, with a light flavor that was very good. The vines this wine comes from are 22 years old! We enjoyed the tropical flavors. Next, the 99 Blush de Noir was nice and dry, not too sweet, with a slight berry / strawberry flavor. Perfect for summertime sipping or for enjoying with appetizers.

The 1997 Pinot Noir Gold Label had herb, pine nut an dberry flavors, medium tannins, very lush and juicy. The 99 Merlot is a full 100% Merlot and had a gorgeous aroma, with great mouth feel and juicy, rich flavors of black cherry.

Because the winery was still being built, we juggled plastic cups and ocean breezes while tasting outside under the tent. But it's extremely worth it! Compared to the crowded too-busy-to-talk-with-you attitude you find at several other wineries in the area, stopping here is a breath of fresh air and well worth it.

One of the special treats for me, being a bird lover, was playing with their chickens - Jack and Jill! The two chickens were almost like cats underfoot, wanting attention and nibbling on crackers. I got to hold and pet one, and boy was it snuggly! It almost makes me consider having some chickens in the back yard for eggs, but I know that actually keeping the hen-house clean is a chore that few would wish on a worst enemy.

Still, getting to play with the chickens here was the perfect ending to a perfect visit. I'll be sure to make The Old Field Winery a stop on any future Long Island visit we do, even when we're skipping by a few of the other wineries.

All of our Old Field Winery Notes and Photos

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All content on the WineIntro website is personally written by author and wine enthusiast Lisa Shea. WineIntro explores the delicious variety and beautiful history which makes up our world of wine! Lisa loves supporting local wineries and encouraging people to drink whatever they like. We all have different taste buds, and that makes our world wonderful. Always drink responsibly.