Although dozens of roadside farmstands mark the Hamptons, a few farms also allow you to pick-your-own produce. Hundreds of people flock to these farms each season, taking advantage of the fun that comes along with selecting one's own strawberries, vegetables, apples and pumpkins amid rural country.
Strawberry season starts around June and continues until the first week of July, while various fruits and vegetables are sold throughout the summer and fall. Apples are usually prime for picking by September, while pumpkins begin to mark farmlands by late September and early October.
The following list comprises the Hampton's four pick-your-own farms. Be sure to phone ahead before making the trip, to check on the hours open, availability and variety of produce. |
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| Osborn Farm Main Street | (strawberries), Wainscott, 631-537-0586. |
| Hank Kraszewski Farms | Route 39 (strawberries), Southampton Bypass, Southampton, and Route 27 (pumpkins), Water Mill, 631-726-4964. |
| John Halsey (The Milk Pail) Farms | Montauk Highway (apples, pumpkins), Water Mill, 631-537-2565. |
| Strong's U-Pick | Townline Road (pumpkins), Wainscott, 631-537-2470. |
Vintage Hamptons
Just 25 years ago, few people believed that fine wines could be grown on the eastern tip of Long Island. As it turns out, the region's temperate weather, rich soil and mild winters made for a supportive wine-growing climate.
Today, Long Island wines amaze viticultural experts from California, France and other regions with their outstanding quality and taste. Together, the North and South Fork's 47 vineyards harvest over 2,700 acres of grapes, producing half a million cases of wine each year. This amounts to nearly $65 million annually in sales for Long Island.
The Hamptons features 3 of the 28 East End wineries that offer tours and tastings, and many have received awards and high ratings for their Merlot, Chardonnay and Cabernet varieties. For more information, or a full-color brochure, call the Long Island Wine Council at 631-369-5887, or visit its website at www.liwines.com. |
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| Channing's Daughters Winery | 1927 Scuttlehole Road, Bridgehampton, 631-537-7224 |
| Duck Walk Vineyards | 231 Montauk Highway, Watermill, 631-726-7555 |
| Wolffer Estate | 139 Sagg Road and Montauk Highway, Sagaponack, 631-537-5106 |