July 2, 2023
#peconicbayvineyards #northfork #winetasting #barrelfermentedsauvignonblanc #theMoke
We were a little wary of venturing out to a winery on the weekend before July Fourth, but Peconic Bay proved to be an excellent choice—just enough people to feel celebratory, not so many that it felt crowded. It was also a good choice since it fit with our plans for the day, which included a visit to the Horton Point Lighthouse (If you haven’t ever been there, go. Note that it is only open on weekends, but the volunteers who staff it are lovely, and very well-informed, and the little museum is well set up. Our guests braved the climb up the tower, but I had been, and once was enough. We paid $5 to park in the lot and $10 for the family to enter.) Then, we needed to be at Braun’s at 4:30 to pick up our steamed lobsters for dinner, and Peconic Bay is right next door. The timing worked out perfectly.
I had made a reservation, and they sat our party of six around a firepit (obviously not lit on this warm afternoon) shaded by an umbrella. The outside patio is a lovely place on a nice day, but the indoor tasting room is small and rather spartan, so I think this is one of those places I’ll go to in the summer. As we perused the menu, we enjoyed the cool jazz of a group whose name I couldn’t quite catch. The menu offers two flights, the Crossroads of three wines for $18, and Reserve, of three wines for $20. One could also opt for pairings of three wines with chocolate, cheese, or oysters. We were planning to pick up some oysters with out lobsters, and we wanted to try the full panoply of wines, so we decided that each couple would share both flights. That worked out well, and there was plenty of wine, but the sequence ended up being a bit of an issue, since both tastings include some whites and some reds. As a result, we kept going back and forth between the two flights. My notes, therefore, are in the order in which I tasted the wines, not separated by flight.
We also ordered a little dish of Marcona almonds ($4), and another of olives ($8), both quite good, and two non-alcoholic drinks for the minors in the party. They both gave positive reviews to the Beach Ball cold brew strawberry hibiscus caffeine free tea ($5) and the Subtle Tea lemonade ($4). They also enjoyed seeing a few dogs on the patio, and noting the cute Moke, a jeep-like vehicle in which one can tour the vines.
We asked our server if they made the wines on the premises, and he enthusiastically explained that the separate building on the other side of the parking lot contains their wine-making facility and their cellar, filled with stainless steel tanks and oak barrels.
- 2021 Sauvignon Blanc $28
We all agree that the aroma is lovely, which I describe as flowery. The taste is tart, with lots of acidity and a long finish. It would go well with oysters, but I am planning to make martinis for my guests, one of my favorite beverages to go with oysters—another is a dry sparkling wine.
- 2021 Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc $35
This is from the Reserve flight, and we decided it would be fun to taste the two side by side. One member of the party explained to the minors that two wines made from the same grape, grown in the same place, could taste very different depending on how they were made. I like this better than the steel sauvignon blanc, which surprised me a little, but it is not oaky, and our comments are: “nice, round, smooth, yum.” It has a bit of a vanilla aroma, and would go well with lobster.
- 2016 Blanc de Blancs $40
The collective decision is to try the Blanc de Blancs next, as it is starting to lose its bubbles already. One guest compares the aroma to privet, a flower we’ve been smelling all day. Maybe. It is quite tart, and not a sparkler for sipping on its own. I eat a few almonds and then try it, and find it improves when paired with food.
- 2021 Steel Chardonnay $28
“The more I drink it, the more I like it,” opines our guest. It has a bit of a funky aroma and taste, but otherwise is similar to most North Fork chardonnays, with citrus tastes and some green apple.
- 2020 Merlot $35
“Not exciting,” is the group judgment on this “serviceable” merlot. I taste and smell cherry, as is typical, with a touch of tobacco from the oak. Someone observes that it is “too tangy.”
- 2020 Malbec $35
Though it has no body, this wine is spicy and herbal, with tastes and smells of dark fruit, lavender, and rosemary. “Meh,” says one guest. I say it’s a nice wine.
Reasons to visit: pleasant outdoor patio overlooking the vines; convenient location next door to Braun’s; the barrel fermented sauvignon blanc; all the wines were drinkable, if not exciting; live music; oysters and other pairings; the Moke!
NoFo Wineaux 