Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

I read a post recently about wine tasting on Long Island and it sparked my interest. We were originally planning to do a one day trip to Niagara Falls for my birthday on June 18th. Now that I'm thinking about it it may just wind up to be easier and cheaper to go wine tasting in Long Island instead, especially since we will be leaving to Puerto Rico that week on vacation. I love wine!!! I've never gone wine tasting before and I'm clueless. Can anyone suggest an itinerary for us for a one day wine tasting self guided tour in Long Island??? My Fh will be driving. We only have that one day off so unfortunately we won't be able to spend the night. We want to go tasting and have a nice but affordable lunch or dinner and then head back to Queens. I would also like to do a tour of at least one vineyard to learn about how wine is produced. Any info would be a great help. Thanks so much

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

http://www.liwines.com/default.ihtml?page=mapanddirections

Check out that map. It's really easy...you basically drive down the one street and keep stopping everywhere.

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

Thanks!! Have you done it , HotAir??? How many wineries can I visit in a day?? Any restaurant recommendations?? Any favorite must see vineyards?? Thanks alot!!

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

I can't really think of a place to eat...we usually eat a little something before going (so you may want to stop in Riverhead). If you start drinking on an empty stomach you can get really drunk fast.

I've done it a couple of times. We just start at the first one and go to as many as possible. I liked Paumonok and Pindar but try as many as you can...it's so much fun. Pindar is set up like a bar and there are tons of people there and snacks to order (cheese and crackers). I remember liking Osprey's too. And, you really don't need a plan because on that one road you keep seeing the signs. We probably did around 10 in a day...but we weren't serious wine tasters....we would drink them all, leave and move on to the next place.

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

If you want to head out to Greenport after the wineieries they have some great resturuants...My favorite vineyards are Bedell, Corey Creek,
Martha Clara, Gallucios, and Paumanok

ETA: IN Greenport try CLAUDIO'S on the water, you can eat outside and they have a huge bar all on a dock!

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

If you're planning to hit a lot of wineries (more than 2 or 3), you WILL need a designated driver. Depending on what tastings you do and what wineries you visit, you'll probably need one even just for 2 or 3....

It's very easy to find all the wineries and you really don't need an itinerary. They're all basically right in a row and easy to get to.

Have fun!!

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

I have been wine tasting a bunch of times on LI and actually just did it for my bach. party.
You really don't need an itinerary. You can just drive up the road and stop at the wineries you see along the way. They are all fun and unique in their own ways. Pindar, Pelligrini and Raphael are some of the larger ones.
They also have maps in a lot of the wineries that will show where each one is. I am sure there is a website that lists them all also.

As for lunch, I like having a picnic out there. If you go to a deli and pack something nice, you can eat at a lot of the wineries. Pindar has a covered eating area out in the vineyard and you can buy a bottle and open out there with your lunch.

Have fun!

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

try Long Island Wine tours, the price per person includes transportation, lunch, and going to 5 wineries!!

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

For lunch, I'd suggest heading to the Village Cheese Shop on Love Lane in Mattituck and packing yourself a picnic lunch! We usually pick up some cheeses, meats, a baguette, olives, maybe a panini, etc. and head to a winery. We love picnicking at Pugliese (they have a great outdoor area with a pond and I love their blanc de noirs sparkling wine). Other faves: Osprey's Dominion, Corey Creek, Bedell, Paumanok, Shinn..have a great time! I agree with checking out liwines.com--it lists special events too, such as live music.

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

I go wine tasting practically every weekend when FH is off from work ! We absolutely love it and it is inexpensive. New wines are always being produced so there is always something we haven't tasted. There are two main roads that you can follow that have wineries. Unfortunately, I cant remember the numbers of the road. It's like 25 or 25 A. I can ask FH later and get back to you. We enjoy going to Palmer, Macari, Martha Clara, Vineyard 48 etc which is all along one of the roads (one after the other). If you are planning to spend the day out there you can def do all the vineyards I listed above in one day. There is a great italian restaurant a little passed these vineyards called Porto Bello ! It is our favorite restaurant. The food is unbelievable and it is reasonably priced. Hope this helps !!!

Re: Wine Tasting on Long Island, Need Help!!

Thank you so much girls!! I'm excited now! I guess I'll contact LI Wine tours just for pricing but mot likely we will just drive down there and plan the day as we go along The picnic idea sounds nice and affordable. Thanks for all the suggestions