Madiran The Wine Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Expect the Unexpected on Long Island's North Shore

Madiran The Wine Bar opened on April 5, 2016, on Route 25A in East Setauket, New York, and has spent nearly a decade building one of the most serious wine programs on Long Island. The name itself signals intent: Madiran is a tannic, terroir-driven appellation in Southwest France that most wine lists ignore — exactly the kind of find that owner and sommelier Jacqueline Malenda gravitates toward.

The Wine List Is the Star

Malenda holds her sommelier certification through the Court of Master Sommeliers at the Culinary Institute of America and is an active member of the Guild of Sommeliers. Her experience spans AP Wine Imports, Lake Side Emotions Wine Boutique, Post Wines & Spirits, and Molto Vino — a résumé that shows in a bottle list of over 400 selections and a by-the-glass program of more than 50 wines.

Wine Spectator recognized the list with its Best of Award of Excellence for four consecutive years beginning in 2022, and has since named Madiran among the top 50 value-driven wine lists in the world. The World of Fine Wine Magazine added a two-star award. These aren't honorary mentions — they reflect a deliberate curatorial philosophy: Old World classics from regions like Gaillac, Montefalco, and Croatia sit alongside hard-to-find New World bottles, and the bar maintains one of Long Island's largest selections of orange wine.

Food That Earns Its Place at the Table

The American and European dinner menu rotates seasonally, designed specifically to complement the wine list rather than compete with it. Small plates lean Mediterranean and market-driven — crispy artichoke with caramelized onion crème fraîche, seared octopus with horseradish cream and caramelized onion marmalade, foie gras on sourdough with raspberry reduction. Mains stretch from pappardelle with short rib ragout to lamb rib chops with honey glazed carrots and mashed potatoes. Charcuterie and cheese boards — Italian, French, and Spanish — are available to dine in or take away.

Live Jazz, Every Week

Music has been part of Madiran since 2016. The bar partners with The Jazz Loft for a monthly series and hosts a rotating cast of accomplished musicians: guitarist Tim Siciliano, trombonist Rod Borrie, bassist Frank Hansen, and vocalist Cathy Salit among them. On any given Thursday, there's a strong chance a jazz duo or trio is playing in the room. Reservations are recommended on music nights.

A book club meets monthly, happy hour runs Tuesday through Friday from 4 to 6 pm, and the wine list keeps earning its accolades. Madiran is the kind of place that rewards regulars and surprises first-timers.