Drink in the atmosphere at East End distilleries
Emmet Sullivan is all stireed up in the distillery at Long Island Spirits in Baiting Hollow. Credit: Randee Daddona
Long Island wine country has something for everyone — even non-wine drinkers. Here are five places to find the hard stuff.
CHANNING DAUGHTERS WINERY, 1927 Scuttle Hole Rd., Bridgehampton, 631-537-7224, channingdaughters.com Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily year-round; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Easter Spirits: Vervino vermouth, New York State-produced Greenhook Ginsmiths Dry Gin, Greenhook Ginsmiths Beach Plum Gin Liqueur, Sagaponack Vodka and McKenzie Bourbon Whiskey. Tastings: $20 (included in a wine flight), six vermouths to choose from; $28-$40 a bottle.
LONG ISLAND SPIRITS, 2182 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow, 631-630-9322, lispirits.com Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun., extended hours May through Thanksgiving. Spirits LiV Vodka and Ristretto Espresso, Rough Rider Bourbon & Rye, Sorbetta liqueurs (strawberry, raspberry, orange, lemon and lime), Pine Barrens single-malt whiskey and Barrel-Aged gin; also making a hand sanitizer. Tastings Vodka and whiskey flights available.
SAGAPONACK FARM DISTILLERY, 369 Sagg Rd., Sagaponack, 631-537-7300, sagaponackfarmdistillery.com. Hours 1-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun. tasting room; retail sales weekdays by appointment. Spirits Potato and wheat vodka, potato whiskey, rhubarb liquer Tastings Offered in a renovated former dairy barn.
SHINN ESTATE VINEYARDS AND FARMHOUSE, 2000 Oregon Rd., Mattituck, 631-804-0367, shinnestatevineyards.com Hours: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat. off season, 10:30 a.m.- 7 p.m daily Memorial Day-Nov. 1 in season. Spirits: Divine, akin to a dessert wine; Julius Drover Apple Brandy from local apples, aged four years in oak barrels; Julius Drover Alambic Brandy distilled from grapes aged four years in oak barrels; a variety of wines also available. Tastings: $4 per tasting, $10-$15 a glass, $40-$65 a bottle.
TWIN STILLS MOONSHINE, 5506 Sound Ave., Riverhead, 631-779-3199, liooldtymer.com Hours: Noon-6 p.m. Wed., Thur., Fri. and Sun., noon-7 p.m. Sat. through Columbus Day. Spirits: Whiskey, honey whiskey, strawberry liqueur, apple pie liqueur, coffee liqueur, mixed berry, chocolate, raspberry; other flavors will be seasonal (pumpkin spice, blueberry, peach). When available, fruits from local farms are used to make liqueurs. Whiskey is made with Long Island corn. Tastings: $9 for three different varieties. Children and leashed pets allowed.
WÖLFFER ESTATE VINEYARD, 139 Sagg Rd., Sagaponack, 631-537-5106, wolffer.com Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. open daily. Spirits: "Pink" Gin distilled from rosé wine and infused with juniper berries and an estate brandy distilled from chardonnay grapes in a limited edition batch. Tastings: $15-$25.
Barrel racks at the Sagaponack Farm Distillery. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
