Typical Wine Tour Day

Your Long Island wine tour Day

How to Reserve an East End Wine Tasting Tour on Long Island's North and South Forks.

East End Wine Tasting Tours™ will provide several Long Island wine tasting & tour packages with quotes, that will include transportation, wine tasting fees, suggested gratuity for driver, sales tax (where applicable), as well as lunch options, payment options, tolls ( when applicable) and more. Our Long Island wine tour services both the North Fork wineries as well as the South Fork or Hampton Wineries.  Upon the Visitor approval of the Long Island Wine Tour quotation, we shall request the client to approve our Terms of Service. Once agreed, we will require a major credit card on file, in which we will process for either a 10 or 15% non-refundable down payment, which will secure the vehicle for your future reservation. Once your down payment has been successfully processed, a reservation number will be automatically generated and applied to your future Wine Tour Reservation form. This form will then be sent to you for-e-signature with the Identical Terms that you had previously approved. Once the client has e-signed the reservation, we will then begin the booking process with the wineries or other venues. The updated reservation form will also show the down payment deduction. Once all reservations have been secured with the venues, which can take up to several days, we will send back the completed reservation copy thru regular e-mail. If you have chosen a Boxed Lunch Option, we also will send instructions regarding the ordering of Lunch. We will require Lunch order 5 days in advance of your tour date and then send out our final confirmation to the Group Leader. On the day of the tour, the Client shall collect all monies from their group before vehicle arrives, and promptly had over "cash" final payment (unless the tour is to be paid in full with CC/Corporate Check or Long Island Wine tour Gift Certificate) to the driver, as per the latest wine tour reservation form. Other payment methods have different final payment criteria.

WHAT ARE THE NORMAL OPERATION HOURS AT THE WINERIES / OTHER VENUES? 

A majority of the Wineries are normally open from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a few that are open to 7:00 PM. Those who are open after 5 PM, generally will close out tasting sales and sales of bottles for consumption on their respective properties. However, most wineries/ venues will NOT take groups in who arrive via for-hire services after 3:00 PM. Some exceptions are the Breweries that are located in "Old Town Riverhead", whom have later hours. We offer over 40 Wineries, Breweries and Spirit venues and over 140 pricing options in our database. Groups are permitted to visit, ONLY if the group meets the criteria or group policies of the selected Long Island venue.


 

Note: Please do not come to any of our Office Locations looking for a Vineyard or looking to join a group to head out to the East End of Long Island for wine tastings on that day. All Tours are prearranged in advance. We are not a winery. We are a Wine Tour company, among other prearranged transportation services.

HOW WILL OUR TRANSPORTATION ARRIVE AND WHEN?

Transportation will arrive at your predetermined pick up location. Final payments will take place at this time, 99% of our transactions are cash. Should a tour be corporate paid via Credit Card or Check, the payments will be complete 5 business days prior to the Wine Tour. Vehicle will stop at locations as per signed reservation form, with optional Farm Stand stops. Wineries can't be changed on day of wine unless the group is very small (less than 3) and NO reservations had been made. If group decides to stay longer than the reservation drop time, the hourly rate for extra time will be clearly identified on the reservation form. Boxed Lunches ordered thru East End Wine Tasting Tours™ are usually picked up while our guests are tasting wine at either the 1st or 2nd winery. This can change depending on timing and logistics of our caterers and our schedule. Whether we provide lunches or is customer brings own picnic lunch, they are expected to clean up after themselves. Most wineries forbid outside lunches, or boxed lunches offered thru us our your own food.

WHAT OTHER PERTINIENT INFORMATION WILL BE ON MY RESERVATION FORM?

Your wine tour reservation form will also have the expected arrival and departure times at each winery in order to arrive at the next winery "on time". It is imperative that we stick to the pre-arranged schedule. Your reservation form will also  indicate whether a mandatory venue gratuity is included in each one of your selections, reserved seating ( yes/no) and if food is permitted. A suggested Minimum chauffeurs' gratuity is also listed on your Long Island Wine Tour Reservation form to provide guidance.  Typically most wine tours are at least 6-7 hours in duration when picking up outside the North Fork Region up-island to mid Nassau County. mid to western Nassau is 8 hrs, Queens to Brooklyn is 9-10 hrs duration, other boroughs, expect a minimum of 10 hours for 3 standard winery stops. Clients can also use the LIRR or Long Island Rail Road from NYC to Babylon or Ronkonkoma Stations and we can head to the wineries for 7 and 6 Hour minimum duration tours.

Your Guide to Wine Tasting on Long Island


We prepared this small guide to assist both newcomers and past customers of the East End Vineyards with wine tasting . There is much more to wine tasting than sampling as many wines as possible for a few dollars. We also urge our guests to become familiar with some wine "lingo" prior to your day in the Long Island Vineyards.



The Basics of Wine Tasting

Learning how to taste wines is an adventure that will deepen your appreciation for both wines and winemakers. The most important aspect of tasting is its smell. Most of tasting something is experiencing its aroma.


Eventually you will also know what food complements your favorite wines. Simple foods with complex wine and complex food with simple wine is the general rule. This allows the wine to stand out and blend with the food.


If you are new to wine tasting, or even if you've ventured out in the past, here are a few tips to enhance your experience on your next tour:

Avoid consuming alcohol in your provided transportation prior to wine tasting. Note: We only provide water and soft drinks, not alcohol, for our guests.


  • Avoid Smoking prior to tasting wines
  • Avoid perfumes, colognes and lipstick
  • Avoid gum, mints and candy


Sip and Savor the Flavors of the East End


East End Wine Tour Lunch Options


In addition to tours, we offer a wide variety of lunch options, including BOXED LUNCHES,  cheese platters, and Alure Chowder House with a delicious Prix Fixe menu . Boxed lunch options allow guests to have lunch at a vineyard in an area chosen by the winery; which is predominantly 'OUTSIDE". You are required to clean up after yourselves and leave the area as you found it. The chauffeur will pick up your lunch when you are having your tastings.

A Lure Chowder House also offers prix fixe (3) course lunches, Saturday and Sundays starting in April. As the season approaches Summer, A Lure slowly opens to nearly seven (7) days a week, offering their Prix Fixe Lunch, which is slightly higher in cost than Amano.


Cooperage Inn - starting in  2021, we have added the Cooperage Inn small 3 course Prix Fixe lunch with some nice entrees, including unlimited soft drinks, coffee, tea etc. Whatever you do, you must purchase their Chicken Pot Pies to go. With pies representing Briermere Farms, Chicken Pot Pies is the Cooperage Inn.


  Boxed Lunch Options are considered to be "outside" lunches or same if a visitor brings a picnic basket from home. 20% of the wineries permit an "outside" or Boxed Lunch BUT in a designated area only....which generally means "outdoors' or outside of the Tasting Room.
 
  Noteworthy : 10 years ago or 2014, 75% of the Long Island wineries permitted Boxed Lunch or Bringing Your Own Food onto their respective venues. Now we are down to approximately 15%.
 
Noteworthy : There are (2-3) wineries that permit "Your Own Food or Boxed Lunches" INSIDE their buildings.


Lunch Trucks - as of Summer 2018, Lunch Trucks have been banned / fined at any vineyard located in the town of Southold, where majority of wineries are located.


Lunch Trucks in town of Riverhead are generally at the following venues on weekends: Palmer, Jamesport Farm Brewery, LI Spirits


The North Fork Food Truck is located in the Park lot at the North Fork Table and available generally every weekend from Mid May until end of November.





Do any of the Long Island vineyards offer Lunch?


Only a handful of venues, such as Greenport Harbor Brewery , Jamesport Vineyard, Terravite (formerly Diliberto Vineyard) have Restaurants or a "legal" Kitchen whereby they offer a menu with options to purchase a more "lunch type" item.


Gourmet Style Boxed Lunches by The Golden Pear Cafe in the Hamptons

Enjoy a scrumptious gourmet Style Boxed Lunch, with mini salad & dessert. The Boxed Lunches for the Hampton Tours or commonly known as "South Fork", are only permitted at Duckwalk Vineyard South and outside.

Cooperage Inn Restaurant

Enjoy a 3 Course style Lunch or Dinner all inclusive at the Cooperage. Our deal includes unlimited soft drinks, coffee, tea and of course the meal. Everyone in the group must choose the same dessert. Don't forget the  infamous Chicken Pot Pies to go.

Boxed Lunches by Ammiratis of Love Lane

Enjoy Boxed Lunch at 1 of 8 Long Island Wineries on the North Fork whom permit this perk. Only 2 Wineries allow Boxed Lunches Inside, with reserved seating, in case of inclement weather.

A Lure Chowder Restaurant

Enjoy a 3 course Lunch all  inclusive deal we have with A Lure all along the waterfront on the Port of Egypt Marina. Group Size restrictions and Seasnal Hours.

 FAQs

Typical Questions and Facts for our Long Island wine tour service

How much does a Long Island wine tour cost?

--- $129-$279 per person depending on party size, pickup location, duration  and winery choices

Do you need reservations for Long Island wineries?

Yes, most wineries require reservations , only a handful are Walk in type of entry


What time of year is best for wine tours?

Fall is usually the busiest and harvest season but all year round it is nice to visit the wineries

What is the largest winery on Long Island?

Pindar is the largest winery on the East End of Long island


What wine is the North Fork known for?

for their red wines and some are known for their white, depends on your taste and preferences


How many vineyards are in the North Fork?

There are over 40 wineries and breweries on the North Fork of Long Island

How many wineries are in the Hamptons?

there are 3 wineries in the Hamptons, Wolfer Estate, Duck Walk South and Channing Daughters winery, (2) of which have limited capacity, ala carte and sell out quickly.

Can you bring food into the wineries?

some wineries allow outside food but most do NOT allow it. Approximately (8) Wineries allow Boxed Lunches or your own Food out of 45+ Wineries and Breweries. Only 2 of those permit food inside with reserved seating, (1) of which is max 8 in a group.

What should you not do at a winery?

Do not dress inappropriate , do not wear bachelorette gag gifts , refrain from wearing strong scents or eating strong flavors before tasting

What is the difference between a wine tour and wine tasting?

a wine tour usually involves watching the process of wine making at a winery and then doing tastings at that winery , a wine tasting involves sampling usually 3 -5 wines ( 1-2ounce pours) from a specific winery

Why is Long Island an exciting newer vineyard area?

a number of reasons make it exciting, its location and proximity to both the North Fork and South Fork of Long Island which offers beautiful accommodations , restaurants and views

Is there a minimum number of guests needed to book a Long Island Wine Tour?

2 people is the minimum to set up a wine tour.  Our Wines Tours are NOT a share ride service where you would be on a tour with other strangers.

Is there a maximum number of people who can attend a winery tour?

It all depends. Some Wineries only allow 6 Guests and no limos or vans. Other wineries only allow 6-10 Guests. And then there are others allowing 10+ to 30/50 Guests.  However, some wineries will allow more for reputable wine tour partners and limousine companies

Do you offer rain date guarantees?

rain or shine , wine tours still go on , most wineries have limited indoor seating which could accommodate bad weather, be sure to check the wineries policies before booking at that location. Some locations do close due to poor weather

How much notice do you need to book a tour?

you should allow for at least 2 weeks ahead of time to book a tour, if you have a larger party size or want to go on a Saturday, you should plan well ahead and book at least a month prior.....


Are kids allowed at the wineries?

only at certain wineries, please check winery websites for rules and regulations

Can I bring my pet?

most do not permit your dog or Comfort Dogs, but certain wineries do , please check winery websites for rules and regulations. ADA Dogs of course are permitted - 

Can I bring food on the vehicle?

yes, most lite finger foods are allowed , please don't bring anything oily or messy to mess up the vehicle and remember to clean up after yourself

How to Taste Wine

 ï»¿

The front, back, and sides of your tongue contain taste buds. All these taste buds are capable of detecting sweet, sour, bitter, and salty flavors. Prior to taking your first taste, "smell and swirl" at least once.


Next, bring the glass close to your nose and take a deep sniff. Your sense of smell is the most receptive with the first try, so take a minute to identify the aromas of the wine. Then, take a sip. A good wine grabs your taste buds from the first sip. Your taste buds will capture your attention and soon the body of the wine picks up where the first taste stops.


Swish the wine around in your mouth to get the most out of your taste buds. This allows all your taste buds and your sense of smell to interact in the detection of the finer flavors of the wine. There are different "bodies" of wine, such as light, medium, full body, and robust. Red wines are rather complex and require a bit more attention to taste the flavors and carry the aromas to the back of your throat.


Now, are you beginning to understand why it is important to adhere to the tips listed above? Again, try not to smoke, wear heavy perfume, avoid mints, and do not drink prior to your wine tasting. You will waste your money, your time, and the purpose of your wine tour excursion


More about us

Do you tip at the wineries? 

although it's not always required, you should always tip based on service and on exceptional service. Over 50% of the wineries  have a Built-in Mandatory gratuity and our reservation forms reflect this info.

What is the recommended tip to tip my chauffeur driving my wine tour?

20% is the standard tip and if the driver is exceptional , you could always give more. Our Reservation Forms will indicate a "Suggested Minimum Driver Tip" based on the vehicle itself and not the cost of the wineries that you may be attending.

Are your vehicles insured? Are your drivers certified?

yes, fully licensed and insured, qualified drivers and late model vehicles are only offered. NYS DOT compliant where required and Drivers are drug tested

How does East End Wine Tasting Tours determine what is economical, mid range and premium?

Economical / Party / Lower mid range Long Island Vineyards are in the $14 to $20/pp per venue costing.. Mid Range or Better LI Vineyards are in the $20 - $34/pp per venue costing

Premium Long Island Wineries are in the $35/pp up to $95/pp per venue; as well as a few "Ultimate Long Island Vineyards" in the $95 - $300+/pp per venue range.
(Note: The Nomenclature describing the vineyard categories is strictly our own.

What time do our Long Island wine tours start?

Depends on where the pickup location is for your outing. The Wineries are 'generally" open from 11AM to 5/6PM... a few are earlier and a few are open later depending on the season. NYC Pickups are generally around 8:30 - 9 AM, as there is a 2.5 to 3 hr ride each way, pickups in Nassau / Suffolk around 10 to 11 AM.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes a 10% deposit and 15% deposit on all buses - paid on major CC or a corporate check' the remainder is due in cash day of tour (95% of our tours are paid in cash - as this is discounted payment)

Do any of the Long Island Wineries offer Lunch?

(1) Winery is deemed a restaurant and provides combo wine tasting and lunch. (Jamesport Vineyard). Another Winery offers a Light Lunch Option (Lenz) on weekends only and during peak season. Macari offers very high end options starting at $205/pp. Greenport Harbor Brewery has self served style eatery 

Food Trucks in Wine Country?

The town of Southold has a ban on Food Trucks at the vineyards for nearly (6) years. Why?. It is an ongoing saga. 75% of all the vineyards are located in Southold. In Riverhead town, you will find food trucks on weekends only at Palmer Vineyard, and LI Spirits, & Jamesport Farm Brewery.

Is there Entertainment / Live Bands / DJ's at the Venues?

On Saturdays / Sundays, weather permitting and seasonal - primarily from 1 PM onward there is Music ranging from solo musician to 3 piece bands at approximately (10) Wineries / Breweries. DJ's are no longer performing after the fallout and demise of Vineyard 48. 

When we have a Reservation what does that really entail?

A reservation at a particular winery / Venue does not necessarily mean you have a reserved seat/table service. All Guests arriving by for-hire Vehicle or Limos / Buses must have a reservation and this just entitles Guests to "enter" a property. Very few venues allows a for-hire vehicle without a reservation, especially weekends.

Ok, what do we have to do to get a Reserved Table or guaranteed seating?

Reserved or guaranteed seating is NOT available at most Economical / Popular Loong Island Mid range Vineyards.

Most Better "Mid Range" Wineries and nearly all Premium Costing Long Island Wineries have Reserved Seating; Some have just guaranteed seating inside and / or Outside and a select few wineries have both.

 

Can we choose our own Wineries / Breweries ?

If you desire to do so, you can Build Your Own Long Island Wine Tour as long as your group meets the policy of your selection which can be impacted by group size, time slot restrictions and other criteria. BUT please be advised, it is best to review the option when choosing them, for the restrictions, descriptions of the venue etc.. - BUT we can always make any corrections / substitutions when we provide quotes via email.


Still have a question?

Share by: