Long Island Wine and Food Day Trip with Sommelier host from NYC

Long Island’s North Fork makes a satisfying change of pace from Manhattan: vineyards, tasting rooms, and a long day in wine country, without the need to drive after sampling. I like that the tour includes a certified sommelier and two winery visits, so the day is about more than getting from one tasting bar to the next.

The locally sourced sandwich lunch and round-trip transport are practical touches, too. One caveat: the bus can carry up to 48 people, and the coach and restroom conditions have not always been consistent, so this is a shared day trip, not a small-group luxury outing.

• Two winery tastings: Plan for about four wines at each stop, with Pellegrini Vineyards and RGNY among the wineries in rotation.
• Time to settle in: Each winery visit lasts about 90 minutes, leaving room to taste and look around.
• A sommelier host: Guides such as Sam and Steve have led wine discussions, with Sam especially praised for making the day both social and educational.
• Lunch is included: A mini sandwich, local potato chips, and bottled water are provided.
• A full day out: Meet at 140 E 41st St at 9 a.m.; the tour lasts about nine hours and returns to the same point.
• Plan for a shared coach: Groups can reach 48 people, and bus comfort and restroom condition may vary.

From Midtown to the North Fork

The day starts at 140 E 41st St in Manhattan at 9 a.m. From there, the group heads east toward Long Island’s North Fork. The drive has been described as taking about an hour and a half, though road conditions can affect the timing. With the driving handled for you, there’s no need to organize a designated driver or work out separate winery transport.

That convenience is a big part of the tour’s value. Winery visits are much easier when you can taste freely and let someone else manage the ride back to the city. The vehicle is air-conditioned, but keep expectations practical: this is group transport, not a private car, and the maximum group size is 48.

The drive is also a transition from city streets to a more open, rural setting. The trip is long enough that you’ll want comfortable clothes and a little patience, but it gives the day a clear rhythm: travel out, visit two wineries, eat, then return to Manhattan.

Tasting at Pellegrini Vineyards

Pellegrini Vineyards is one possible stop, though the winery rotation means you should not assume it will be included on your departure. When it is on the schedule, the tasting lasts about 90 minutes, with the sommelier guiding the group through four to five wines. The included tasting is a useful starting point if you want to compare styles without paying separately for each flight.

The experience at Pellegrini can vary by tasting-room setup. Some groups have been seated in a plainer room with a view of the vineyard, while the regular tasting room has also been described as more appealing. The winery is family-run, and its facilities are modest. In particular, restroom capacity has been noted as limited, so it is worth making a stop before the tasting if you prefer not to wait.

A sommelier host matters here. Winery staff may offer their own introduction, but your guide can add context about grape varieties, aromas, and the choices that shape a wine’s style. Sam, Steve, and other hosts have been praised for their wine knowledge and friendly manner. Still, the amount of explanation can depend on the guide and the group. If you want to learn, ask questions as the tasting proceeds rather than expecting a formal class at every pour.

RGNY and a second tasting

RGNY is another winery in the rotation. Like Pellegrini, it gets about 90 minutes and a guided tasting of four to five wines. The two wineries are described as quite different in style, so visiting both gives you more to compare than repeating one tasting-room format. That contrast is a real strength of the day, especially if you are new to Long Island wine.

The property and tasting-room atmosphere at RGNY have been praised, though the cost and quality of individual wines are matters of personal taste. You may find a bottle you want to take home, but buying wine is optional and is not part of the tour price. The included tasting is the main commitment; any additional glass or bottle is an extra expense.

Allow time to look around, but remember that the schedule belongs to the group. Ninety minutes is a generous stop for a tasting, a little browsing, and a quick pause, yet it is not an open-ended afternoon. If you like lingering over a single glass for hours, the tour’s pace may feel brisk.

A simple lunch, not a winery feast

Lunch is included and centers on mini sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients, plus local potato chips and bottled water. The listed choices are the Macari, with roasted turkey, brie, apple, fig jam, and arugula, and the vegetarian Michelina, with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil pesto.

This is a useful mid-day meal, not a long restaurant lunch. Some people find the portions sufficient; others would prefer more food. If you have a hearty appetite, eat breakfast and consider checking with the operator before the tour about bringing extra food. At the second winery, additional food may be available to buy, but that is not included in the stated price.

The local sourcing adds a pleasant connection to the area, while the simple format keeps the schedule moving. If lunch is a major part of your ideal wine-country day, this may feel basic. If you mainly want something convenient between tastings, it does the job.

The sommelier makes the difference

The wineries are the setting, but the guide shapes how much you take away from them. A certified sommelier can help you notice differences among grapes and wine styles, explain what you are tasting, and answer questions without turning the day into a lecture. Sam has been singled out for clear wine explanations and an easy, sociable approach; Steve has also been praised for his energy and wine knowledge.

The tone is friendly and informal, with a chance to meet people over a shared activity. Solo visitors have found the setup comfortable, and it can work well for friends, couples, or a birthday outing. You are not signing up for a private tasting with only your party, though. The tour may have as many as 48 people, so the group atmosphere is part of the deal.

If detailed instruction is your main goal, speak up and ask for it. One person may want a light introduction and a relaxed day, while another wants to learn about grape varieties, production, and tasting notes. The sommelier can help bridge those expectations, but the tour is still a social outing with two winery stops, not an intensive wine course.

What the $148 price covers

At $148 per person, the fee includes round-trip transport from Manhattan, a sommelier host, tastings at two wineries, and a local sandwich lunch with chips and bottled water. With about four wines at each winery, you can expect roughly eight included tasting pours, though the stop descriptions allow for four to five wines at each location.

That package makes sense if you want to taste without driving and would otherwise need to organize transport, winery visits, and a meal yourself. It is less compelling if you have a car, prefer to choose your own wineries, or want a long sit-down lunch. Wine purchases and any extra food or drinks are not included.

Some past outings have also included a farm market stop, with fruit pies and other local treats available to buy. That can be a welcome extra, but it is not named as a guaranteed stop in the standard itinerary. Treat it as a possible bonus, not a reason to book.

A few practical points before you go

The tour lasts about nine hours, starting at 9 a.m. and ending back at the Midtown meeting point. Actual return times can vary; past outings have returned between roughly 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. Keep your evening plans flexible rather than booking a tight dinner reservation.

The minimum age is 21, and children are not allowed. Service animals are permitted, and most people can participate. The activity is offered in English, and tickets are mobile. The group limit of 48 is worth remembering if you are hoping for a quiet, intimate tasting.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, but bus quality and restroom condition have drawn mixed feedback. If a clean, reliable onboard restroom is important to you, ask the operator about the vehicle for your date. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes and cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Long Island wine day?

Book it if you want an easy escape from Manhattan, enjoy guided tastings, and value having a sommelier and driver included. The two winery visits, time at each property, and local lunch make for a full day without the chore of planning every piece yourself. It also suits a first wine-country outing, a birthday plan, or a solo day when meeting other people sounds appealing.

Think twice if you want a small group, a guaranteed visit to a specific winery, a substantial lunch, or a polished coach experience. The winery rotation matters, and the tour’s value comes from the whole package rather than control over every stop. If those trade-offs work for you, this is a practical way to sample the North Fork and be back in Manhattan the same day.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at 140 E 41st St, New York, NY 10017.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 9 a.m.

How long is the tour?

It lasts about nine hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Which wineries will I visit?

Pellegrini Vineyards and RGNY are among the wineries in the rotation. Each tour visits two wineries, but the specific pair can vary.

How many wines are included?

The tasting at each winery includes about four wines. The stop descriptions allow for four to five wines per location.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes a locally sourced mini sandwich, local potato chips, and bottled water. The listed sandwich choices are turkey and brie, or a vegetarian mozzarella and tomato option.

What is the minimum age?

You must be at least 21. Children are not allowed.

How large can the group be?

The tour can have a maximum of 48 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.