Jamesport Vineyards

Jamesport Vineyards is actually one of the first wineries you pass when heading east from the point on the island where it splits to become Hamptons (South Fork) and the North Fork. For those coming in for a visit from the City, this can be a great place to commence your with North Fork wine experience.

Founded in 1981 as Early Rising Farm, Jamesport is run by a father-son pair and touts exclusive use of their own grapes in production of their wines. Currently, they grow about 40 acres of grapes for 7,000 cases of annual wine production.

If you’re interested in doing more research, Jamesport’s website actually has some useful content (minus a few typos!). Beyond the requisite description of Jamesport’s wines and info on the Goerler family members who founded and manage the business, there is a list of Long Island and New York City retailers and restaurants that sell/feature Jamesport wines. This is something I wish every North Fork producer included on their website.

Tasting Room
The tasting room, in a 150-year old barn (recently refurbished with the help of another local vintner who also does some construction work in the area), was quite pleasant. There is also ample outdoor space for events and entertainment, and seating for folks just visiting on a nice day. Additionally, the staff behind the bar seemed very knowledgeable about the wines they were pouring.

Tasting Options
Upon arriving, one of the first things I noticed was the number of tasting options (five) you could choose from, offering more flexibility than many other tasting rooms in the region. No matter your preferences, you are likely to find a selection that works for you. These five sets of tastings include the: East End Series, Estate, Premium, Whites and Reds. I chose the Estate option, and my tasting notes below reflect that, plus the Estate Block E Merlot that we ordered for a supplemental charge.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Glasses (Very Good)
If you’re looking for well-made wines, a pleasant tasting atmosphere, and a knowledgeable tasting room staff, Jamesport Vineyards is certainly one you should add to your list. That said, for some of their wines, it’ll cost you. Based on my experience, there are other producers in the region with quality that rivals that of Jamesport’s, but represent a better value by charging a lower price for tastings and some bottled varietals for purchase.  Favorites: 2008 Riesling, 2005 Cabernet Franc.

Tasting Notes:
2009 Sauvignon Blanc ($23.95)
Color: Pale straw, almost no color
Nose: Citrus, peach, melon, and some lemon zest
There is a good burst of fruit at first, with peach and mango flavors. This wine was certainly made in the New Zealand style – fruit forward with crispy acidity to complement it. Nice length for a white and well-balanced overall.

2008 Riesling ($29.95)
Color: Golden straw with a greenish tint, a little more color than the Sauvignon Blanc
Nose: Honeysuckle, lychee, sweet floral, and some lemon/lime citrus after it opened up
This Riesling is a perfect balance between pleasant fruit and crispy acid. It is very structured, where you can feel the weight of the fruit right down the middle of your tongue and the acid on the sides and back of your mouth. This wine is not completely dry (some residual sugar), but pair it with some spicy food, and it’ll go down real easy.

2007 Pinot Noir ($39.95)
Color: Brownish red
Nose: Fruity, and a little smoky, with some cinnamon and brown sugar. Not as earthy a nose as many other Pinots.
This wine is spicy, with some noticeable tannins. The fruit is not particularly powerful, but there is some acid to complement it. Unfortunately, there was not much length, as all components faded rather quickly. All told, given the challenges that come with cultivating this grape in this region, it’s solid. But, I prefer Borghese’s Pinot at about $30 (see August 9 entry).

East End Merlot ($15.95)
Color: Dark magenta, not completely transparent. Darker than most North Fork Merlots.
Nose: Red fruit, with a smoky quality
Spicy at first, with decent fruit. At first thought, I was afraid it was going to be an onslaught of tannins, but it wasn’t. This wine is lively and the spicy qualities are pleasant, with nutty flavors on the finish. Unlike some of the other wines we tasted, this one is a good value.

2004 Merlot Estate Block E ($24.95)
Color: Dark magenta, more transparent than its East End counterpart
Nose: A little woodsy, nutty
Like the East End, a little spicy at first with subtle tannins, but with darker fruits. Good length and body, with a balanced finish.

2005 Cabernet Franc ($39.95)
Color: Dark magenta, purple hues
Nose: Dark fruits, green pepper, and a little meaty
While it does not possess the classic peppery/earthy characteristics of a Cab Franc, this wine goes down smooth, balanced with solid fruit and minimal tannins. Given my predilection for fruitier flavor profiles, this hit the spot. It’s not surprising that Jamesport’s Cab Franc has achieved “Best Red Wine” status in the esteemed New York Wine Classic.