26 Sep The Best of Bottled New York: Empire State Cellars
We’re back with another introduction to one of our favorite East End businesses: Empire State Cellars! Everyone knows that the North Fork is home to vineyards galore (and now distilleries and breweries are popping up left and right, too), but did you know that we have an incredible tasting room right in the neighborhood that focuses solely on New York State liquor, wine, and beer?! If you didn’t, you need to head over to the Tanger Outlets in Riverhead stat to experience “The Best of Bottled New York!”
Empire State Cellars opened in November 2011 as a satellite tasting facility of the now-closed Peconic Bay Winery. The front of the store is very much what you’d expect of a well-kept liquor store: wide aisles with rows upon rows of clearly displayed bottles, but what sets them apart is the selection that’s available. At Empire State Cellars, you’ll find anything from a Brooklyn craft brew to a bottle of aged, Niagra red wine, and absolutely everything in between. The variety of both the products that they sell and the New York regions from which those products come is as vast as it could get.
While it’s a no-brainer that I’m a huge fan of their incredible selection of New York State liquor, wine, and beer, I think my favorite part of the Empire State Cellars experience is the ambiance while you’re hanging out there. They have these tremendous, gorgeous, custom-made wooden tables—monstrous slabs of raw wood atop gigantic barrels. Seriously, I’m obsessed. It’s the perfect spot to sit and relax with a couple of friends while you taste a couple of local beverages from the tasting bar conveniently located just a few feet away.
Hung above the tasting bar is a colorful print of New York State, displaying all of the New York wine regions. All around the tasting bar, there are chalkboard signs that display all the menu options: wine tasting choices, beers on tap, as well as a notice to customers that growlers are available to fill with any beer of your choice. In addition, there are smaller chalkboard stands to let customers know about the Empire State Wine Club and Empire State Growler Club, which can be joined at monthly or yearly rates.
Empire State Cellars isn’t only a place to go to enjoy New York State liquor, wine, and beer, but it’s a place where you can get a genuine education about the industry that you’re supporting when you buy local, and about the impact of local sustainability. The staff at Empire State Cellars are not only extremely knowledgeable, but they’re also super approachable, and are happy to teach customers about anything industry-related. There are pictures of local producers all over the wall by the tasting bar—at Empire State Cellars, you’re not just buying and enjoying local products, you have the unique opportunity to get familiar with the people picking the ingredients and producing the goods.
After spending some time at Empire State Cellars, you’ll quickly understand just why they’re called The Best of Bottled New York—they truly showcase every, single great thing that comes in a bottle from our beloved home state. At Hotel Indigo East End, we’re proud to be partnering with such a stellar neighborhood company to support local sustainability and community business.
Be on the lookout for some great events coming up that tie Hotel Indigo East End, Empire State Cellars, and The Hampton Cigar Company together for a night of luxurious fun!