Photo courtesy of Del Vino Vineyards
Del Vino Vineyards, in Northport, is actually a taste of Italy. The Giachetti family, who owns and operates the vineyard, can trace their winemaking past back to an Italian village called San Leucio, where they were vintners in the 1800s. The family’s wine, in fact, was so popular that the Italian king Fernando ordered that special blends of it be fermented for the royal family.
Today, Del Vino occupies 11 acres of vineyard space, where several different grape varieties are grown and turned into wine. The result is a Cabernet blend, Super Tuscan blend, red blend, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio.
The Del Vino experience, though, is not only about wine. The property also offers a “tapas” menu, featuring warm olives, seasoned Marcona almonds, artichoke formaggio, shrimp cocktail, pasta Bolognese, an artisan meat and cheese platter, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and more. They also serve craft beers from Oyster Bay Brewing Co. and Harbor Head Brewing Co.
But perhaps the best news of late, when it comes to Del Vino, is their igloos. These spaces offer tasters and diners a little respite from the cold, without turning fully to indoor dining. For $100, you can rent a 10-person igloo for up to two hours (igloos come with a $200 food and beverage minimum). Igloos are heated, although the vineyard recommends dressing “for the weather,” since it’s more of a marriage of indoor and outdoor dining.
The joy of sipping wine inside of an igloo preceded the pandemic, and now it’s just another way for people to enjoy food and drink outside of their homes with mitigated risk. There’s just something about bubble dining that feels a little romantic. Del Vino’s igloos are decorated, after all, with lights, centerpieces, and other bits of décor that make it a transportive experience. You may not be flying to Italy this year, but you can still take a miniature vacation as nearby as Northport.
Igloos are scheduled in 2.5-hour seatings, offering ample time to kick back and enjoy the space. Reservations can even be made 60 days in advance (though let’s hope that, 60 days from now, it’s warm enough to skip the igloo in favor of the sunshine). In the meantime, while the weather is still relatively frightful, this is a must-hit experience on Long Island.
