Nothing can be better than enjoying a summer day with some fresh air and a glass of locally grown wine. A Visit to one of the many wineries surrounding New York could be the ideal way to enjoy an affordable day away from the city this summer. Numerous wineries are scattered around Long Island, upstate New York and New Jersey, and each offers a diverse range of homegrown flavors to suit all palates.
Numerous wineries are within driving distance of New York City.
“The winemakers have been creating and doing a terrific job with blending the wines,” said Jim Ferrarie of Long Island Wine Tours. “They’ve been getting better every year.” An average cost of visiting a vineyard is around $5 per person. Guests are offered the chance to sample a selection of the different grape varieties and also buy bottles of their favorites. Ferrarie and Jo-Ann Perry, who owns Vintage Tours, are among the mainstay tour guides on Long Island and offer an affordable way of seeing the region. Best of all, you don’t need a car — they’ll pick you up from the train station, or even from your New York address, and take you to some of the best spots while providing some historical background on the area. The cost of their tours vary depending on the size of the group, but range from about $65 to $100 per person; lunch can be included in the package.
“Every weekend, there’s something going on somewhere,” says Steve Bate, executive director of the Long Island Wine Council. “All the wineries are close together. We probably have 30 located within a 12-mile stretch, so it’s really easy to do everything in one day.”
North of New York City, along the Hudson River, is a historic wine region with a vast range of European grape varieties. To the west of the river is the Shawangunk Wine Trail, and to the east lies the Dutchess Wine Trail, providing a one-stop shop for all kinds of grapes. In New Jersey, there are more than 30 orchards and vineyards, with many hosting free live jazz and blues festivals throughout the summer, along with the chance for visitors to join wine trails, according to the Garden State Wine Growers Association.
More details about tours, events and wineries are available on the Internet and also by visiting Web sites for the individual wineries.
Very short reference , good job , Lori