How much does a Long Island wine tour cost?
--- $129-$279 per person depending on party size and winery choices
Do you need reservations for Long Island wineries?
---- Yes, most wineries require reservations , only a handful will allow no reservations.
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.
Are wine tastings worth it?
-----Yes, it is if you are trying to taste and find new wines to drink, tastings is the way to sample.
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.
Are North Fork wines good?
---- Yes, many people love the taste of north fork wineries and the grapes that are produced in the area.
Are North Fork wineries open in the Winter?
---- Not all wineries are open all year round, but at least 20 are still open during the winter months, some of those on a limited capacity
How do you get around North Fork without a car?
----- You can hire a car or limousine service to bring you around safely.
Can you bring food into the wineries?
---- Some wineries allow outside food but most do NOT allow it.
Which part of Long Island has the most vineyards?
---- The north fork of Long Island has the most vineyards in a close area.
How many wineries should you visit in a day?
----- Typically 2 to 3 winery stops is the best to have a great tour.
How many wineries are in the Hamptons?
----_There are 3 wineries in the Hamptons, Wolffer Estate, Channing Daughters and Duckwalk Vineyard South, 2 of which have limited capacity, ala carte, and sell out quickly.
What should you not do at Long Island Vineyards?
----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 ( 1-2 ounce pours) from a specific winery.
What is the oldest winery on Long Island?
----Lenz is one of the oldest wineries on Long Island.
Why is Long Island an exciting new 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.
Is there a maximum number of people who can attend a winery tour?
---- Most wineries take reservations of up to 10 people. 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.
What kind of vehicles do you have access to?
-----We have access to most sedan, suv, vans, busses and limos , please ask while booking.
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 but certain wineries do , please check our various Long Island Vineyard websites for rules and regulation.
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.
Do you tip at the wineries?
-----Although it's not always required, you should always tip based on service and on exceptional service.
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.
Are your vehicles insured? Are your drivers certified?
-----Yes, fully licensed and insured, qualified drivers and late model vehicles are only offered
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 $12 to $19/pp per venue costing.
Mid Range or Better LI Vineyards are in the $20 - $29/pp per venue costing
Premium Long Island Wineries are in the $30/pp up to $95/pp per venue; as well as a few "Ultimate Long Island Vineyards" in the $95 - $270/pp per venue range.
(Note: The Nomenclature describing the vineyard categories is strictly our own and based on over 15 years experience. The Pricing is set forth by the respective wineries / breweries / Venues.
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 all the Venues permit our own foodies, Birthday cakes, etc?
------(7) Venues out of (50) permit your own food or our Boxed Lunches.(No premium wineries*)
(3) Wineries out of the (7) Venues permit your own food/boxed Lunches "Inside with Reserved seating" in case of inclement weather. (1) of those (2) Wineries allows this option up to May 1 only.
Birthday Cakes are basically prohibited; there may be 1 or 2 wineries permitting this.
* (1 Mid range Winery offers an "optional" Premium Plus VIP wine Flight and allows our Boxed Lunches or your own food)
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. Greenport Harbor Brewery has self served style eatery
Food Trucks??
------The town of Southold has a ban on Food Trucks at the vineyards for nearly (4) 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, and LI Spirits,& Jamesport Farm Brewer (May thru October).
If your group is small - under 12 people - we recommend North Fork Table's Food Truck in their parking lot. They have a few tables, huge trees with plenty of shade and best food truck, we think. 1 Hour Extra time would need to be allocated.
Do the Wineries offer Tours?
-----Yes, approximately (6) Venues offer tours and they all charge for it. The tours are packaged with tastings and some with cheese. Tours generally range from $50/pp to $125/pp. Covid-19 had an impact on Tour offerings, with some lingering effects
Can we bring our own alcoholic beverages in Vehicles?
------Yes you can as long as everyone is 21 years and older/or there is a legal guardian/parent on board if alcohol is involved and a minor is present. Our company does not provide any alcohol. Just Water, Ice, Cup setup in vehicles only equipped with a bar / cooler.. Alcohol is banned from all vineyards, breweries etc. Coolers are banned. Keep silo cups in vehicle when exiting as security at the venues will be on top of that.
FYI: If you desire a meaningful wine tasting experience, best to refrain from alcohol.
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.
Approximately (19) Venues have Reserved Seating inside.
Approximately (16) Venues have Reserved Seating outside; many the same as Inside.
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.
You can also complete a contact form.
