One of the nicer outdoor
settings for a tasting is
the Peconic Bay Winery
(%631-734-7361; http://www.
peconicbaywinery.com; 31320
Main Rd, Cutchogue); this
also means it’s popular
with bus- and limo-loads
of party-goers.
The main North Fork
town and the place for
ferries (%631-749-0139;
http://www.northferry.com) to
Shelter Island, Greenport
is a charming laid-
back place lined with
restaurants and cafes,
including family-owned
Claudio’s Clam Bar (www.
claudios.com; 111 Main St; mains
$15; h11:30am-9pm, closed
Wed) with a wraparound
deck perched over
the marina. Or grab a
sandwich for a picnic at
the Harbor Front Park
where you can take a spin
on the historic carousel.The Drive » The Shelter Island
ferry (one-way vehicle and driver
$10) leaves just a couple blocks
from Main St in Greenport. This
could involve something of await – open your windows and
take the 10 minutes to breathe
in the fresh air.5 Shelter Island
Between the North and
South Forks, Shelter Island
is a low-key microcosm
of beautiful Hamptons
real estate with more of
a traditional maritime
New England atmosphere.
This mellow refuge was
once sold by Manhanset
Native Americans to a
group of prosperous sugar
merchants from Barbados
who intended to harvest
the island’s oak trees in
order to build barrels to
transport their precious
cargo. In the 1870s, a
group of Methodist clergy
and laymen bought
property on the heights
to establish a religious
retreat. Some of these
buildings, a variety of
colonial revival, Victorian
and Queen Anne, make
up the island’s ‘historicdistrict.’ The Mashomack
Nature Preserve (%631-749-
1001; http://www.nature.org; Rte 114;
h9am-5pm Mar-Sep, to 4pm
Oct-Feb) covers more than
2000 acres of the southern
part of the island and is
a great spot for hiking or
kayaking (no cycling) – the
Hamptons’ glamour and
excess feel very far away.4 p55
The Drive » The ferry (one-way
vehicle/passenger $14/$1) to
North Haven on the South Fork
leaves from southern Shelter
Island on NY-114. Continue on
NY-114 to Sag Harbor (p55).
Check out its Whaling &
Historical Museum, or stroll up
and down its narrow, Cape Cod−
like streets. NY-114 continues for
seven miles to East Hampton.6 East Hampton
Don’t be fooled by the
oh-so-casual-looking
summer attire, heavy
on pastels and sweaters
tied around the neck –
the sunglasses alone
are probably equal toTRIP HIGHLIGHTThe Hamptons Beach houses on Shinnecock BayWALTER BIBIKOW/GETTY IMAGES ©