Spring on the North Fork
Spring has Sprung on the North Fork which calls for celebration! It has been a long, cold, snowy winter on Long Island and as much as we love winter and cozying up at home by the fire, we have been eagerly awaiting the changing of seasons. We are excited to once again be able to enjoy the sunshine, our backyards, and all of the wonderful outdoor activities our region has to offer!
There are so many amazing things to do on the North Fork and some of our favorites involve being outside and enjoying your surroundings, whether thats hiking through the woods, lazing on the beach, or sipping on a tasting at one of Long Island's many wonderful winery tasting rooms! We hope you will get the chance to enjoy the outdoors in the coming weeks and make the most of this wonderful season!
So here's to Spring and all of the wonderful things that come with it—warm weather, sunshine, longer days, enjoying being outside, backyard BBQs, cold wine, blooming of flowers and so much more!
Break out the Gloves & Garden
One of the best things about the weather getting warmer is that you can break out the gardening gloves, enjoy some time in the sunshine, and get to work! Once I have done my backyard cleanup and planted any new flower additions to the beds around my house I get to work on my favorite part of gardening season—planting fresh herbs!
If you are like me and enjoy cooking, there is nothing better than being able to step out your backdoor and pick a handful of fresh basil to whip up a homemade pesto, picking some rosemary to toss with roasted potatoes, grabbing some cilantro to mix into guacamole, or picking some fresh parsley to add a little garnish to your favorite dish!
So stop by your local farmstand or garden center (we have som many wonderful options on the North Fork!) pickup some fresh herb plants, crack open a bottle or can of Rosé (my #1 gardening wine pick) and get to work planting your backyard garden, or window sill herb garden! In addition to elevating your meals and the satisfaction that comes from planting something and watching something grow, you get a perfect excuse you get outside and enjoy the Spring sunshine!
Take a Walk by the Water
Being that we are an island, there is never a shortage of coastline to explore! There are so many excellent places to get outside and take a walk on the East End. One of my particular favorites this time of year is downtown Greenport! This bustling little seaside town has yet to reach its peak "in season" months and is not yet bustling and busy making it a perfect time (in my book) to go take a stroll and explore the town!
Greenport is the largest downtown area on the North Fork and is full of excellent restaurants, quaint little shops, the waterfront, docks, and carousel, all perfect ways to fill a Spring day!
A few of our personal favorites in Greenport are: Stop by Little Creek Oysters to shuck your own fresh oysters! Head to Crabby Jerry's for no frills seafood and waterfront dining. Looking for a more eclectic meal? Olive Branch offers gorgeous alfresco dining and delicious Mediterranean fare. If you're looking for something more casual, relaxed, and of course delicious, look no further than First & South! There really are no bad choices when it comes to Greenport, so take a walk and explore!
Relax with a Can
About a year ago in Spring of 2020 we released our first ever Suhru Wines in cans—offering our Pinot Grigio and Rosé—a year later we are very pleased to say they have been a huge success and we are looking forward to watching them continuing to grow!
The great thing about wine in cans is how portable and convenient they are! Heading to the beach or out on the boat? Throw a 4-pack in the cooler! No need to worry about packing glasses or bringing that heavy glass bottle home with you. Whether you are taking them on the go, sipping on a can while you garden and take care of things around the house, or while enjoying a quiet moment on the porch after a long day, you can't beat their convenience!
Plus the truly great things about cans (and one that we don't often talk about) is because aluminum is an entirely opaque material there is no risk of light or oxygen exposure to the wine, ensuring that it is as fresh, crisp, and bright the day you open it as they day it was canned!
Pack a Picnic
If I had to pick an all around favorite North Fork activity this just might be it—I love picnics! We have so much open space out East and when you combine a selection of tasty treats, either from my kitchen or one of the local shops, with an afternoon spent outside enjoying a few hours by the water, in a park, on the beach, or simply in my backyard, it just makes everything better!
No need for anything fancy, you can pickup a few snacking favorites at the grocery store and pack a bottle of wine, but if you're looking to step up your game stop into one of these great shops on Love Lane for a delicious and vast selection of snacking and light dinner options. A few of my picnic necessity go-to shops are: Lombardis Love Lane Market which has everything you could possibly want for a picnic including meats, salads, spreads, and bread options to prepared hot items and a nice selection of sweets. Next stop is the Village Cheese Shop which naturally has a wide selection of cheese, so pick out a favorites or two, grab and accouterments you like such as crackers or spreads and then head around the corner to Agora to round out your picnic with a few eclectic items. Agora Greek Market has a wonderful selection of traditional Greek desserts, olives, cheeses, and my favorite dolmades!
Wherever life takes you on the North Fork this Spring you are sure to enjoy! Here's hoping everyone has a chance to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and maybe enjoy a glass or two! Happy Spring!