The Best Wineries Just A Short Drive from NYC
Grabbing your girlfriends and hopping in a car to escape the city for a day is always a good idea. Escaping the city for a day trip to a beautiful winery out east or upstate is an even more fabulous idea. There are endless options for wine tasting and visiting vineyards all over the state of New York, but we wanted to guide you through the wineries and vineyards that serve the best sip for your trip. Follow us along as we share the best places to kick back and enjoy some of the finest wines on the east coast, all just a short drive from New York City.
Wölffer Estate and Vineyard in Bridgehampton, NY
Wölffer Estate Vineyard is one of the oldest and most regarded wineries on Long Island in Bridgehampton, a two and a half hour trip from Midtown. Wölffer is the perfect excuse to pile in the car on a weekend day and enjoy a mini-escape in the Hamptons (who needs an excuse to go to the Hamptons? Let’s be real here). You’ve probably seen their gorgeous rose bottle floating around or their cider bottles with their signature packaging that is unique and an absolute treat to the eye. They have a beautiful 55-acre winery estate with amazing views and a refreshing and eclectic atmosphere. You can enjoy tastings and a range of small bites and charcuterie platters to pair with your wines with parties of up to 8. With COVID and limited capacity guidelines, reservations are highly encouraged. You can visit Wölffers website here to learn more.
Whitecliff Vineyard in Gardiner, NY
Whitecliff Vineyard is a beautiful spot in upstate with amazing views and reasonable pricing for a fun day with the girls! You can enjoy a number of different wines in a peaceful and relaxing setting and Whitecliff is only a 2 hour drive from Midtown! You can even make a day out of it because there is so much to see and explore outside of the city. If you’re making plans to visit Whiteclaw, be sure to call and make a reservation, keeping in mind that Whitecliff doesn’t allow parties larger than six and they’re closely following the COVID guidelines (which is amazing) so you’ll want to read up on their restrictions here to ensure you’re up-to-date on everything you may need to know to maximize your experience. here
Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, NY
Head out to Hudson Valley and secure a reservation at Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, about an hour and a half from the city! If you haven’t ventured out to Hudson Valley yet, you absolutely should because the drive is breathtaking and something that you should experience as often as possible as a New Yorker. Benmarl is a 37-acre estate overlooking the Hudson Valley River and claims to be the oldest winery in America (how insane?!). Benmarl will accompany parties up to 8, enforcing COVID guidelines and social distancing practices. You can reserve a tasting flight for $15 and your reservation will secure you a table for 75 minutes with a server to guide you through the tasting and to educate you on the wines. Read more about Benmarl here and secure a reservation for a fun weekend away from the city.
Channing Daughters Winery in Bridgehampton, NY
Channing Daughters is reason number 901,719,900 to head out to the Hamptons as if you needed another one. Channing Daughters is nestled in Bridgehampton, with six different, unique vineyards coming together to offer an unparalleled experience as a guest on their estate. Channing Daughters is known for the experience that they offer and this is a really great place to visit if you’re into the details and history about the wine, the vineyard, and wine history in general. Channing Daughters has raving reviews with handfuls of people boasting about their experiences, most sharing that Channing Daughters is the place to go if you’re looking for “more than a glass of wine.” The tasting flights are a set price for a fixed flight with no customization, but Channing Daughters’ highly raved about staff will go above and beyond to make sure you have the best guest experience and are able to taste and enjoy the vast variety of wines offered on-site.
Learn more about Channing Daughters and snag a reservation here.
Paumanok Vineyards in Riverhead, NY
Owned by the Massoud Family and named after the famous Walt Whitman poem “Starting from Paumanok.” Paumanok Vineyards is known for its relaxing environment and family roots that show in so many beautiful aspects of this property and the experience for each guest. While you really can’t go wrong with any of their wines, some people say that the dry rose is worth buying by the case during the summer. Finding the perfect dry rose isn’t easy so we might just have to reserve a table ASAP and head out east to see what Paumanok is all about.
For more about Paumanok and to book a reservation, click here.
Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery in Warwick, NY
Warwick Valley isn’t your typical winery or vineyard. Hop in the car for a little bit less than two hours from Midtown and you’ll find Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery, a place to taste and explore wines, taste ciders, an orchard for apple picking, a full restaurant on-site, and immaculate views and a lovely atmosphere. Warwick Valley is where you’ll want to go if you’re with a bigger group (keeping COVID and social distancing guidelines in mind) and if you’re wanting a place to spend most of the day without wondering if you’ll have enough on one property to fill your day out. They also offer live music which is another reason to bump Warwick Valley up on your list! Be sure to head over to their website to read up on all that they offer before you head upstate to get in on the fun. You’ll find everything you need to plan your trip to Warwick here.
Bashakill Vineyards in Wurtsboro, NY
If you haven’t made a trip out to Catskills yet, do that, and when you do that, add Bashakill Vineyards to your itinerary and thank us later. Bashakill is another place to visit if you’re wanting to make a full day venture out of your visit. Bashakill offers live music and they’re dog friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for a day trip (remember a leash) and give them a break from the city because they deserve one too, especially after everything this year (amen, right?). The food menu changes seasonally which is another reason to visit more than once if you fall in love like most guests do after their first visit. Another amazing thing that sets Bashakill apart is that they don’t use any single-use plastics which is eco-responsible and mindful - something that we need more of! The last mention - the ice-cream looks absolutely amazing, and the only way they serve it is in a cone to uphold their commitment to no single-use plastics!
Find all you need on Bashakill’s updated website full of helpful information here.
One Woman Wines and Vineyard in Southold, NY
One Woman Wines and Vineyard is a small but quaint and beautiful retreat from the city, located about two hours from the city in North Fork. One Woman was founded by Claudia Purita who has an amazing story and who followed an unwavering desire and passion to return to her roots and tend to individual vines that would one day become One Woman Wines and Vineyard. Claudia grew up in Italy on her family’s farm, tending to wine grapes and vegetables, which gave her such a unique touch and background to bring One Woman to life. If you’re looking for a setting that feels like your friends backyard, this is where you’ll want to go.
Head over to One Woman’s website to read more and to book a reservation.
photo c/o One Woman Winery
Kontokosta Winery in Greenpoint, NY
Wine and a view of the water? Check. Kontokosta Winery in Greenpoint has gorgeous views and is beyond worth the venture out to Long Island for. You’ll catch stunning views of the Long Island Sound and of Connecticut here as you sip on some amazing wines for a tasting or enjoy bottles with a small group of friends. They do require a $10 payment to secure your reservation but the views alone are well worth the price, especially if you’re sharing the day with some close friends.
Check out Kontokosta’s website and read more about the offerings of this beautiful vineyard here.
photo c/o Nora Proce
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Vineyard in Southold, NY
We are ending the guide with Sparkling Pointe, but do not mistake the last on the list to be any less magical than the other vineyards we’ve included here in our guide! Sparkling Pointe is ranked very highly among Long Island’s many wineries and vineyards, even against some stout competition. Sparkling Pointe is an upscale venue with unmatched service and staff that is adhering very mindfully to all CDC guidelines regarding COVID. If you’re searching for a more formal experience to sip sparkling wine, you’ll love Sparkling Pointe and the beautiful grounds in Southold. Even on a chillier day or evening, Sparkling Pointe is prepared with a beautiful fireplace so you don’t have to plan your trip out east around the weather.
Click here to visit Sparkling Pointe’s website and to find information for reservations.
photo c/o sparklingpointe
