An idyllic wine-tasting spot has opened at Shelter Island's White Oak Gardens

WHITE OAK WINE GARDEN OPENED EARLIER THIS SUMMER WITHIN THE POPULAR SHELTER ISLAND GARDEN CENTER. (PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY WHITE OAK WINE GARDEN)

By Charity Robey

 

Winemaker Tom Spotteck, of Lenz Winery and Kristian Clark, president of White Oak Farm and Gardens, have created an outdoor wine-tasting area within the existing garden center, on Rt. 114 in the middle of Shelter Island. Whether you are looking to purchase a vine or the fruit of, the White Oak Wine Garden is a relaxed and easygoing experience.

Julia King was on hand to pour from the curated menu of local wines on Thursday afternoon, chosen from a curated list that included a White Oak Wine Garden rosé as well as bottles from Saltbird Cellars, Montauk Daisy and Anthony Nappa.

“Our goal is to showcase some of local winemakers’ special wines — the things that they make on the side, to feature smaller winemakers that may not have their own tasting rooms or who have smaller tasting rooms,” she said.

Open since Memorial Day weekend, the tasting room is a lovely, rambling outdoor space of tree-stump stools, flowering plants, a pergola and enormous trees (including the eponymous White Oak) where you can relax with dog and kids, buy a glass of the house rosé — a “laid back and elegant” wine conceived by Spotteck — or Canette spritzers from Chronicle Wines, soft drinks and snacks.

THE HOUSE ROSÉ WAS CONCEIVED BY TOM SPOTTECK, HEAD WINEMAKER AT LENZ WINERY IN CUTCHOGUE. (PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY WHITE OAK WINE GARDEN)

Last Saturday, Kiki Boucher enjoyed lunch on the porch with a glass of rosé, two cheeses, locally made bread, cold cuts, champagne grapes and a French rose petal jelly that she’s partial to. “It was a very nice picnic lunch,” she said. “I read Vanity Fair while eating.”

Cheese and charcuterie from the King Andrew Cheese carriage are available Thursday through Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and there is often music on weekends, including Rob Europe on Sunday, August 29, 2 p.m.-5p.m.

The White Oak Wine Garden is open Thursday- Monday 12 p.m.-7 p.m., 68-76 NY 114, Shelter Island. Reservations are not required.