Private Luxury Wine Tours of Long Island Pindar Winery

Long Island’s wine country makes a good day trip when someone else handles the driving. This private tour pairs a two-hour visit to Pindar Vineyards with shorter stops at Raphael and Lenz, and I like that private transportation lets your group taste wine without assigning a designated driver. I also like the contrast between Pindar’s large estate and the smaller-feeling winery stops.

The main trade-off is time: the tour runs about six to seven hours, but the scheduled visits add up to roughly three hours, leaving the rest for the drive and transitions. Meals are not included, and the exact balance of tasting, browsing, and time between stops may not suit you if you want a long, unhurried visit at every winery.

At a glance: what you are booking

• A private day out: Only your group joins the tour, with private transportation from Hicksville and back.
• Three named winery stops: Pindar gets two hours; Raphael and Lenz are each scheduled for 30 minutes.
• Six wine tastings included: The tour includes alcoholic beverages for the tastings, along with an entrance fee.
• A generous Pindar visit: The 500-acre winery has a tasting room, boutique shop, and guided tasting.
• A useful mix of styles: Raphael’s Mediterranean-inspired estate and Lenz’s estate-grown wines offer a change of scene.
• Bring money for food and extras: Meals are not included, and purchases such as wine, flights, or a charcuterie board are extra.

A private ride from Hicksville

The tour begins and ends at the Long Island Rail Road station in Hicksville. That makes the station a practical meeting point if you are coming from elsewhere on Long Island or connecting by rail, though the tour itself is not a train excursion. From pickup onward, transportation is private for your group.

A private driver matters on a wine day for a straightforward reason: everyone can take part in the tastings without one person having to skip them and drive. The tour’s strongest practical points are the organized pickup and the attention to safe, prompt driving. Manpreet has driven the route, and the vehicle has been described as clean. Driver assignments can vary, so do not assume you will have him on your date.

The schedule runs about six to seven hours. That is a substantial outing, but it is not a full day spent at the wineries. Pindar is allocated two hours, while Raphael and Lenz each receive 30 minutes. Add in the drives and transitions, and you can see why the itinerary is designed to sample several places rather than settle into one estate for the afternoon.

Pindar: the main event

Pindar Vineyards is the longest stop, and for good reason. The estate covers 500 acres, giving this visit a broader scale than the smaller winery stops. You have two hours here for a guided tasting, time in the tasting room, and a look around the boutique shop.

The wines named for the tasting include crisp Sauvignon Blancs and rich Merlots. That gives you a useful chance to compare different styles, rather than treating wine tasting as a row of similar pours. Six tastings are included in the tour package, though the details provided do not say how those six are divided among the wineries. Ask your guide how the included pours are arranged if that affects your plans.

Pindar’s setting is described as scenic, with vineyard views and a relaxed atmosphere. Casual live or background music may be part of the experience, but music should not be the main reason you book: the draw is the vineyard visit and guided tasting, not a promised performance. A guide can also share the winery’s heritage, sustainable farming, and winemaking process, which adds context to what is in your glass.

Nancy has led tastings at Pindar. Her name is worth knowing if you are coordinating with the operator, but a particular guide is not guaranteed. There is also a shop where you can browse bottles, local delicacies, and wine-themed gifts. If you find a bottle you like, remember that shopping is separate from the included tastings.

Raphael: a different look in Peconic

Raphael Winery is a family-owned, 70-acre estate in Peconic. Its Mediterranean-style architecture takes inspiration from Italian monasteries, so the stop offers a change of visual character after Pindar’s expansive vineyards. The winery was established in the early 1990s by John and Joan Petrocelli and named in honor of John’s father.

The planned visit is 30 minutes, which is brief. Treat it as a taste of the estate rather than a leisurely tour of every feature. That short window can still be worthwhile if you value variety: Raphael’s family ownership and distinctive architecture give you a different perspective on North Fork wine country than a large vineyard can.

Food is not part of the tour price. At Raphael, a charcuterie board and wine flights have been available for purchase on a past outing, enjoyed overlooking the vineyard. That is a useful possibility, not a guaranteed meal arrangement. If you want to count on lunch, check ahead with the tour provider or winery rather than assuming a board will be ready when you arrive.

Lenz: estate-grown wines and a short visit

Lenz Winery, also in Peconic, is one of Long Island’s oldest vineyards. It is known for estate-grown, hand-harvested wines, with Merlot, Chardonnay, and sparkling wines among its specialties. The tasting room is described as rustic, and the focus is on wines shaped by their growing place.

Like Raphael, Lenz is scheduled for 30 minutes. That gives you time for a concise tasting stop, not an extended exploration. The short visit is a fair trade if your priority is to sample several wineries in one day. If you prefer to ask detailed questions, browse at length, or linger over a flight, you may wish the schedule allowed more time.

The three stops work best as a sampler. Pindar supplies the longest visit and the broadest estate setting; Raphael adds family history and Mediterranean-inspired design; Lenz brings an emphasis on hand-harvested, estate-grown wines. The contrast is more valuable than simply collecting three winery names on a schedule.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The listed price is $180 per person. It includes private transportation, an entrance fee, and six wine tastings. Group discounts are offered, which may improve the per-person value if you are booking with several people, though the discount amount is not specified.

The price makes most sense if you want a private vehicle and a planned route through three wineries. Hiring transportation for a wine day can remove the need to choose a sober driver, and a private tour gives your group the vehicle to itself. It is less compelling if you already have a safe driver, want to visit only one winery, or expect a full meal and extensive tours at every stop.

Budget separately for meals, bottles, gifts, and any extra wine flights or food you choose to buy. The shop at Pindar is a natural place to pick up wine or local items, and extra purchases may also be possible at Raphael. The included tastings are the core wine allowance, not a promise that every extra pour or food item is covered.

The tour has received praise for clear pre-tour communication, a driver who was waiting as planned, and arrangements made ahead of time. Those details matter because a day with multiple stops can feel rushed if pickup or winery coordination goes poorly. They do not guarantee that every day will run exactly the same way, but they are relevant signs of what the service aims to provide.

Timing, flexibility, and who will enjoy it

Allow six to seven hours for the full outing, and plan your day around the Hicksville pickup and return. The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is received at booking, and the experience is private, so people outside your group do not join the vehicle.

There has been some flexibility in how a day unfolds. On one outing, the group changed a planned winery stop for a quick visit to Briermere for pie. That is a specific example, not a standard stop or a guaranteed option. If a change matters to you, raise it with the operator before the day rather than counting on an on-the-spot substitution.

I would recommend this tour to a small group that wants to taste Long Island wine without driving, values a private ride, and is happy with short visits at two of the three wineries. It also suits people who want a guided introduction to the region, since the Pindar visit includes stories about farming and winemaking. The format is less suited to anyone hoping for a long lunch, several hours at one estate, or a deeply detailed tour at each stop.

You must be 21 or older to drink alcohol. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and no alcohol is served to anyone under 21. The experience requires good weather; if poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Long Island wine tour?

Book it if your priority is a private, no-driving wine day with three distinct winery stops and tastings included. The price covers the transport and core tasting experience, while Pindar’s two-hour visit gives the day a clear centerpiece. Just plan to buy your own food and treat the shorter Raphael and Lenz stops as introductions, not extended visits.

If your ideal wine day means slow lunches, long conversations with winemakers, or hours at each estate, this schedule may feel too compressed. But for a group that wants an easy ride, a varied tasting route, and a full day out from Hicksville, it is a practical way to sample Long Island’s North Fork wine country.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately six to seven hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at the Long Island Rail Road station in Hicksville, New York, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates.

Which wineries are included?

The scheduled stops are Pindar Vineyards, Raphael Winery, and Lenz Winery.

How many wine tastings are included?

Six wine tastings are included in the tour.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included.

Are meals included?

No. Meals are not included.

Can people under 21 join?

Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Alcohol is served only to people aged 21 and older, and no drinks are served to minors.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund.