July 5, 2026
If you follow my blog at all, you may have noticed that I rarely return to the same place before many months—or even a year—has passed. After all, with around 50 wineries, plus breweries and distilleries, on the North Fork, there’s plenty of incentive to try different places all the time. However, when we visited in June we only had the wines, though I was intrigued by the menu of distilled liquors, including vodka, gin, and bourbon. So when visitors arrived who are always interested in trying new drinks—and, not incidentally, love tinned fish—we knew just where to take them. Good choice.
We made a reservation to sit outside on this warm, but not too warm (especially after the crushing heat of the previous days) day, because we were bringing a well-behaved pooch with us. She lived up to that description, relaxing on the grass and enjoying the dish of water our waitress, Monica, brought her. She also enjoyed one of the smoked mussels we ordered. Lucky dog.
Our group of six was just the right number, as larger groups are not allowed. We had three non-drinkers with us, and two of them enjoyed the “seasonal lemonade,” on this day flavored with raspberry, served in large glasses. Positive reviews of the lemonade ensued. We also ordered a glass of Tost, a rosé-like non-alcoholic drink, that tasted like a sparkling rosé, and was not too sweet, for the other abstainer.
Two shared a “Build your own” wine tasting, and opted for four whites—sauvignon blanc, grüner veltliner, gewürztraminer, and chardonnay—and were so happy with their choices that they took home two bottles each of everything except the gewürztraminer. I reviewed all of these in my last post, so I will just add a couple of comments. They liked the sauvignon blanc the best, with its “crisp, light, floral” taste. They thought the gewürztraminer would be okay with food, but felt it had had more flavor in the past (which is why the vintage matters). Though the chardonnay was 60% aged in new oak, they felt it was not too oaky or buttery, but light and clean. The grüner was also judged good, especially as a summer wine to have with seafood. After the flight was finished, Monica brought an “extra,” a taste of the rosé, which was judged also good, with tastes of strawberry and cranberry.
But the biggest success of the day was what I ordered: the flight of gin and tonics. For $36 I got four 0.5 ounce servings of well-iced Whale Rock gin, plus four small bottles of “house-selected” tonics, plus four wedges of lime. “That’s the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen!” exclaimed one guest. Monica, whose chat definitely enhanced the experience of being there, congratulated me several times on what a great choice I had made. No quarrel there.
First of all, the gin itself was delicious. I, of course, was sharing tastes of it with the other two imbibers at the table, and we agreed it was not very juniper-y, but more herby. Indeed, when we had the chance to chat with Gabriella Purita herself (more on that later), she noted that it had 30 different herbs, many of which she grew herself on the property. Wow. We definitely tasted rosemary, maybe lime, though it is not citrusy. My guests and I each bought a bottle to take home.
Then it was time to taste the tonics. Three of them were made by Fever-Tree, which has become my go-to tonic, since I found I prefer it to Schweppes. Gong from left to right, I started with Topo Chico, which I’d never seen before. It has an earthy taste, with less of a strong quinine taste, but I like it very much, and resolve to look for it. The Fever-Tree light is one I’ve never tried. I thought, with the word light, it would have artificial sweeteners, but it does not—just less sugar. What’s nice about it is that the taste of the gin is more prevalent, but then again, by itself it has very little taste. The regular Fever-Tree is fine. But the final tonic is elderflower. At first, I comment that it is “not my jam,” as I find it too sweet and floral. BUT…then I add a squeeze of lime, and it becomes my favorite! My guests like it, too.
As we sip and chat, we enjoy the calm, laid-back atmosphere, the quiet guitar music, and our snacks. Oh yes, more tinned fish! This time we go for Sardinha, skinless boneless sardines in olive oil and lemon, from Portugal, and Mussels Limfjord, smoked mussels from Norway, both delicious, served with slices of baguette, cornichons, and lemon.
I notice Claudia Purita herself, bustling around the place, carrying cartons. She and her daughter Gabriella are both slight but powerful, and clearly work hard to make One Woman (maybe it should be two women?) a success. Gabriella got into distilling, according to the menu, after a hailstorm in August of 2009 decimated their crop, as a way to rescue what they could. I remember stories about that event, a freak hailstorm that only hit One Woman and no other vineyard. I suppose some people would be discouraged after an event like that, but not this pair!
When my guest and I go inside to see about some purchases, we end up in the bar. After admiring the room (We are told it is an 8,000 square foot facility.), we note that it seems like a nice place to spend a wintry afternoon. Gabriella (We recognize each other from when she served us in the shack!) overhears our comments, and we get into a discussion of what she is working on. She is infusing a bunch of ingredients, experimenting with various libations, while trying to be mindful of government regulations. My guest loves to make infusions himself, and is fascinated. She offers a taste of her grappa, which is a good move, as he buys a bottle. It is excellent, less harsh than some grappas.
Reasons to visit: all the wines, but especially the grüner and the sauvignon blanc; the cocktails (Now I have to come back to try them!); the gin and tonic tasting; the TINNED FISH; the non-alcoholic drinks; the calm atmosphere; dogs allowed outside.
NoFo Wineaux 