7th Annual North Fork Foodie Tour Offered Tastes Sunday

One of the most beloved foodie local events takes place Sunday, with a taste of the North Fork on the agenda.

The 7th Annual North Fork Foodie Tour, presented by the North Fork Reform Synagogue, begins Sunday at 10 a.m. at Charnew Farms on Youngs Avenue in Southold.

Participants can chart their own course behind the scenes at North Fork farms and vineyards and enjoy tastings and lectures while getting well versed in the ways of sustainable agriculture and organic farming.

According to the event's description, the North Fork has become well known for its sumptuous fare, including Peconic Bay scallops, Long Island duck, produce, potatoes and wine.

"Now its taken on yet another life as artisans have begun to produce distinctive foods and explore methods of sustainable agriculture," the site states.

The tour aims to introduce participants to those who produce local foods and wines, and to educate them on how it's done.

A map of tour locations can be picked up anytime after 9 a.m. at Peconic Land Trust's Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm on Youngs Avenue between Route 25 and Route 48. 

The self-guided event runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Stops on the tour include exhibits and cooking demonstrations at Charnews Farm; Koppert Cress, for a look at aromatic herbs grown as micro-vegetables; Croteaux Vineyard, which specializes in rose wine; Lavendar by the Bay, to learn about bee-keeping, lavender culture, and lore; and a Taste of the North Fork, where visitors can see the kitchen where products made from local ingredients, including pestos, jams and jellies, mustards, vinegars, dessert sauces and teas, are made.

Also on the tour is a stop at Blossom Meadow Honey, were participants can taste the honey, view a working hive and see how beeswax products are made.

Special events and limited tours include a 1 p.m tour of Browder's  birds, where organic poultry is raised; Catapano Farms, where guided tours will be given at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. of the operation that raises goats and makes fresh milk cheeses, yogurts, fudge, and goat milk skin care products; and  Goodale Farms, where there is a cheese-making demo at 10 a.m. and goat milking at 4 p.m.

At The Farm, guests can learn about biodynamic farming techniques that produce flowers and vegetables, especially heirloom tomatoes, and reportedly heal the earth. Tours at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

At Krupski's Farm, Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski will bring tour members into the fields to explain how the farm has thrived for generations by changing the focus from a limited number of wholesale crops to a diverse offering of vegetables, fruits, and free range poultry sold retail. Tours at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

At The Square in Greenport, award-winning Chef Keith Luce will take visitors on a tasting tour of the new Greenport venture, which includes MAIN, a casual restaurant featuring local seafood, PREP,a take-out window purveying flatbread pizzas and house-cured meats, NOSH, which features house-made ice creams, baked goods, salads, sandwiches, teas and coffees and MEET, a wine and spirit tasting room and artisan food shop. One tour only at 1:00 p.m. 

Award-winning McCall Wines is also a a historic 100-acre farm that raises grass-fed Charolias cattle, a French breed known for low-fat meat, and sells rare speciality cheeses. Russ McCall leads tours of the property at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.

Sang Lee Farms will display its organically grown vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, baby greens, mesclun, herbs, flowers and specialty Asian greens. Tastings all day. Guided tour and talk at 2:00 p.m.

At Shinn Estate Vineyards, guests can learn about the vineyard's low-impact sustainable farming and taste the results. Only one guided walking tour with wine tastings at noon. At other times, those taking the foodie tour can receive a free taste with any purchased tasting.

Satur Farms specializes in leafy vegetables, heirloom tomatoes, root vegetables and herbs. Open only for one guided walking tour at 11:30 a.m.

Ty Llwyd Farm raises DeKalb Gold chickens, ducks and geese, and grows vegetables and unusual varieties of potatoes. Tours at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Limited to 15 people per tour.

For details and information on tickets, which cost $25 for adults and are free for kids under 12, call  631-722-5712 or click here.