More Than a Wine List: Inside the Award-Winning Wine Program at Mavericks Montauk

Some wine lists are meant to accompany dinner.

Others become part of the experience.

At Mavericks Montauk, every bottle tells a story—of place, of craftsmanship, and of the people who dedicate their lives to making exceptional wine. That philosophy has helped earn the restaurant recognition from Wine Spectator, a distinction that celebrates restaurants with thoughtfully curated wine programs that complement both cuisine and hospitality.

Located on the glittering shores of Fort Pond, Mavericks was built around a simple idea: great food deserves great wine, and both should reflect where you are. While Chef Jeremy Blutstein's menu celebrates the bounty of Long Island through wood-fired steaks, local seafood, and seasonal produce, Managing Partner and Wine Director Vanessa Price has created a wine program that mirrors that same sense of place.

Today, the cellar features more than 800 selections, making it one of the Hamptons' most comprehensive collections.

Yet the goal has never been to assemble the largest list.

It has always been to build one of the most meaningful.

A Wine List Rooted in Place

Although international in scope, Mavericks proudly shines a spotlight on the wines produced closest to home.

Just as the kitchen sources ingredients from Long Island and the Hudson Valley, the wine list gives prominence to the Finger Lakes, Long Island, the Hamptons, and the Hudson Valley throughout every major category—from sparkling and white wines to reds, skin-contact wines, and the by-the-glass program.

It's a philosophy rooted in hospitality.

Whether you're a local discovering an exceptional Cabernet Franc from the North Fork or a visitor experiencing Finger Lakes Riesling for the first time, the list invites exploration while celebrating New York's rapidly evolving wine culture.

Thoughtfully Curated, Never Intimidating

One of the defining characteristics of the Mavericks program is accessibility.

The cellar includes more than 75 bottles priced under $100, alongside iconic producers and rare collectibles that reach several thousand dollars. Whether you're opening a special bottle to celebrate an anniversary or simply searching for the perfect pairing with dinner, there's a wine that fits the occasion.

Guests will recognize celebrated names from Burgundy, Barolo, Champagne, Napa Valley, and Tuscany while also discovering boutique, family-owned estates producing remarkable wines in limited quantities.

The emphasis remains on producers who farm with intention, including wineries practicing sustainable, organic, and biodynamic viticulture.

Many wineries are represented by multiple vintages, single-vineyard bottlings, or special cuvées, allowing guests to experience the depth and evolution of a producer over time.

Designed for Discovery

Exploration sits at the heart of the Mavericks experience.

Rosé—perhaps the Hamptons' most iconic summer wine—is organized not by country, but by style. Wines from France, Italy, Spain, California, Long Island, and even Lebanon are arranged by color, from pale pink to deep rosé and orange wines, encouraging guests to discover the remarkable diversity within the category.

In 2025, the program introduced Sommelier Selections, offering guests rare access to older vintages, coveted producers, and limited-production bottles by the glass through Coravin preservation technology. It's an opportunity to taste wines that might otherwise only be available by purchasing an entire bottle.

The experience continues after dinner with the Après Dinner collection, featuring dessert wines organized by production method—including botrytized wines, fortified wines, and ice wines.

For celebrations, the Big & Bigger section showcases large-format bottles designed to bring people together around the table.

Built to Evolve

No wine list is ever truly finished.

Each season, the Mavericks team continues to expand both the breadth and depth of the cellar, adding emerging producers, exploring new regions, and building vertical collections that allow guests to experience how great wines develop over time.

The program is intentionally collaborative. Members of the management and sommelier team regularly taste together, discuss potential additions, and continually refine the list to ensure it reflects not only the world's great wine regions but also the evolving tastes of their guests.

The result is a cellar that grows alongside the restaurant itself.

A Destination for Wine Lovers

Whether you're enjoying oysters overlooking Fort Pond, pairing a perfectly aged Cabernet with a dry-aged steak, discovering an exciting Long Island producer, or savoring a rare Burgundy by the glass, the wine program at Mavericks is designed to make every visit memorable.

Because the best wine lists don't simply complement dinner.

They become part of the story.

We invite you to join us at Mavericks Montauk this season and discover what's waiting in the cellar.