Long Island Vineyard Tours – Celebrating over 20 Years

Long Island Vineyard Tours - Celebrating over 20 years in business

Long Island Vineyard Tours is celebrating over 20 years of Long Island Wine Tours providing delightful ways to explore the scenic area & taste the diverse wines produced in Long Island’s wine country. This region, particularly the North Fork, is home to numerous vineyards that offer wine tastings, tours, and unique experiences.  

Long Island Vineyard Tours 
 - Celebrating over 20 Years provided by LI Vineyard Tours®
  • Location: The majority of vineyards are located on the North Fork of Long Island, which stretches from Riverhead to Orient Point. A smaller number of wineries can also be found on the South Fork (The Hamptons) and in western Suffolk County.
  • American Viticultural Areas (AVAs): Long Island has three AVAs: Long Island, North Fork of Long Island, and The Hamptons, Long Island. This designation ensures that at least 85% of the grapes used in wines labeled with these AVAs are grown within the specified region.  
  • Climate and Terroir: Long Island’s maritime climate, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island Sound, and Peconic Bay, provides a unique terroir suitable for growing a variety of grapes. The North Fork generally experiences more stable weather, while the South Fork can be foggier. The soil composition varies, with sandy loam dominating the North Fork and silt, loam, sand, and gravel found in the Hamptons.  
  • Grape Varieties: Long Island is known for its diverse grape cultivation, including Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, among others. Winemakers have the flexibility to experiment with different varieties and blends.  
  • Transportation: Many tour companies offer luxury transportation services, including limousines, vans, and party buses, picking you up from various locations on Long Island or even from New York City. This allows you to relax and enjoy the experience without worrying about driving.  
  • Vineyard Visits: Our tours include visits to multiple award-winning vineyards, typically two or three, allowing you to sample a variety of wines and experience different winery atmospheres.
  • Wine Tastings: At each vineyard, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in LI wine tastings, usually involving sampling several different wines (typically 1-2 ounce pours). Tasting fees are often included in the tour price, but it’s always good to confirm.  
  • Guided Tours: Some tours may include guided tours of the vineyards and winemaking facilities, providing insights into the winemaking process from grape to bottle.  
  • Lunch Options: Many of our wine tour packages offer lunch options, ranging from gourmet boxed lunches to be enjoyed at the wineries themselves.  
  • Scenic Views: Long Island’s wine country boasts picturesque landscapes with rolling vineyards and waterfront views, providing a beautiful backdrop for your tour.  
  • Educational Experience: You’ll learn about different grape varieties, winemaking techniques, and the unique characteristics of Long Island wines.
  • Flexibility and Customization: Many tour operators offer customizable packages to suit different group sizes, interests, and budgets, whether it’s a romantic getaway for two, a bachelorette party, or a corporate outing.  

Popular Long Island Vineyards (Examples):

  • Pindar Vineyards (Peconic): One of the largest producers on Long Island, offering a wide variety of wines and often hosting live music and events.  
  • Duck Walk (Peconic): Known for Pinto Grigio, Riesling, Cabernot Sauvignon, Pinot Noir Meunier, Malbec & more.
  • Pugliese Vineyard (Cutchogue): An award-winning winery focused on a wide range of wines from grapes including Chardonnay, Cabernot Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir & Riesling
  • Osprey Dominion (Peconic): Comprised of 90 acres of Carmenere, Pinto Gris and Sauvignon Blanc
  • RGNY (Riverhead): A winery with Mexican heritage, focusing on quality, innovation, and sustainability.  
  • Lenz Winery (Peconic): One of the oldest wineries on Long Island, known for producing rich and complex wines.  

Types of Vineyard Tours:

  • Group Wine Tours: A cost-effective way to enjoy wine tasting with friends or meet other wine enthusiasts.
  • Private Wine Tours: Offer a more personalized experience for smaller or larger groups, often with luxury transportation and customized itineraries.  
  • Bachelorette/Bachelor Parties: Many companies like ours offer specialize in bachelorette wine tours packages for pre-wedding celebrations.  
  • Birthday Wine Tours :  Unlike other traditional birthdays a wine tour is a fantastic way to celebrate your birthday with friends & family
  • Wine and Dine Tours: Combine wine tastings with gourmet meals at local restaurants.  
  • Themed Tours: Some tours may focus on specific wine types or include visits to other local attractions like breweries or cider houses.  
  • Do-It-Yourself Tours: Hire a luxury limousine company to transport your group to pre-booked Long Island wineries, allowing for a flexible itinerary.

Planning Your Long Island Vineyard Tour:

  • Book in Advance: Especially during peak season (summer and fall), it’s highly recommended to book your tour well in advance. Many wineries also require reservations for tastings.
  • Consider the Season: Fall is the harvest season and a popular time to visit, but spring and summer offer beautiful scenery as well. Winter can provide a quieter, more intimate experience.
  • Group Size: Tour options and pricing often vary based on the number of people in your group.
  • Preferences: Think about the types of wineries you’d like to visit (e.g., large production vs. boutique, specific wine focuses like rosé or sparkling).
  • Budget: Tour prices can range depending on the duration, transportation, and inclusions (like lunch).  
  • Pickup Location: LI Vineyard Tours® provides pickup from any desired location with in reason.
  • Picturesque Wine Tours : Every breath, every picture is simply beautiful in the East End. Take pictures or ask your driver to document your day.

In conclusion, LI Vineyard Tours® provide a fantastic opportunity to discover the burgeoning wine scene on Long Island, enjoy beautiful scenery, and create ever lasting memories. With a variety of tour options available, you can tailor your experience to your specific interests and preferences.

Wineries and Tasting Fees

Wineries and Tasting Fees on Long Island

Wineries and Tasting Fees on Long Island

Back in 2004, LI Vineyard Tours® had an idea of sending people out east to sample Long Island’s wine in the North Fork. With one limousine and an idea today it has become Big business for all whom own a vineyard. In addition, heading to the wineries and tasting fees at the vineyards didn’t exist. You sampled the wine and if you didn’t like it, you could just walk out. Although if you did like it you would get a great price on a bottle of wine. The only problem was after sampling wine you shouldn’t be driving. That’s when LI Vineyard Tours® s was created.

What better way to sample wine with friends and family without driving intoxicated. So LI Vineyard Tours® put together specific wine tour packages with limousine, party bus & shuttle charter transportation included in the pricing. Who new that 14 years later we would have to change the pricing because the sampling & tasting fees would go thru the roof. This of coarse has limited us to certain vineyards with affordable sampling fees. The whole object is to taste wine you enjoy and perhaps recommend it to a friend or family member. Whether you buy it at the winery or buy it from a liquor store doesn’t matter what matters is you don’t drink and drive.

Wineries and Tastings Fees on Long Island
Wineries and Tastings Fees on Long Island
Wineries and Tastings Fees on Long Island

The Long Island Wine Region

The heart of Long Island is now home to over 40 wineries & vineyards. This was all started by a pioneer who’s name was Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos was a visionary. He saw what could be on Long Island when he planted the first vines and decided to make wine instead of growing potatoes. Dr. Dan was also a compassionate doctor. He truly cared about each person he cared for in his practice. His traditions are carried on daily at the winery and in his tasting rooms.

At Pindar Vineyards, their award-winning wines are quite literally dreams come true. It was the dream  Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos that helped create the wine-making industry on Long Island in the early 1980’s. And that dream has, over 35 years, turned Pindar Vineyards into Long Island’s best-known wine producer. Not to mention their wine tastings are affordable and so are the bottles.

Wineries and Tastings Fees on Long Island

Another fantastic winery is Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyards. Their tasting fees are still affordable and not only can you taste award winning wines but you can also walk their property and see all of the horses they have rescued over the years. In 2007, their old, 1861 farmhouse was renovated and became what is its presently the Tasting House. A top-notch team was hired to oversee and supervise wine making & production as well as vineyard management and so Baiting Hollow Farm became Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard®, which has established itself as a grower of distinction producing many varietals of high quality wines.

Of coarse their are other wineries on the east end of Long Island but we thought we would mention these two. You can also find additional information on other vineyards located on our Wineries page.