Tour Long Island wineries, breweries without having to drive yourself
The North Fork Trolley stops at Mattituck's LIRR station during a trial run on July 12, 2017. Credit: Randee Daddona
Touring wineries — and lately, more and more breweries — on the North Fork and in the Hamptons is a time-honored tradition. Here are some of the best ways — without driving yourself — to visit the Island’s vineyards and breweries.
BUS TOUR
When | Where Departs 11 a.m. Fri.-Sun. from the Library Cafe, 274 Main St., Farmingdale. Returns for dinner at 6:30 p.m. Info thelibrarycafe.com, 516-752-7678. Price $100 plus tip; tastings and dinner included. Details Party bus shuttles passengers to three wineries for tastings before heading back for a three-course meal.
BREW CREW CYCLES
When | Where 2 ½-hour tours for up to 14 people on Sat.-Sun. April-Nov. Friday tours June-Aug., and additional weekday tours July and Aug. Times vary. Must be 21 or older. Reservations required. Info 205 B Marcy Ave., Riverhead, brewcrewcycles.com, 631-722-1516 or email info@brewcrewcycles.com Price $30-$35 a person or $375-$450 for the full bike — up to 14 people. Details Riders pedal a group bicycle and stop at three of the following in Riverhead: Long Ireland Beer Co., Crooked Ladder Brewing Co., Moustache Brewing Co., The Birchwood of Polish Town restaurant and North Fork Brewing Co.
NORTH FORK WINE WAGON
When | Where Half- or full-day tours for 8 to 15 people begin and end at Osprey’s Dominion Vineyard, 44075 Main Rd., Peconic. Group must book the full vehicle. Info 516-220-1392, northforkwinewagon.com Price $450 half day and $800 full day Sun.-Fri.; $595 half day and $995 full day Sat., not including tastings. Some non-pedaling seats available. Also, a six-person circle cycle is available for $300 for three hours. Details Two winery tours every day on an open-air group bicycle. Reservations required.
NORTH FORK TROLLEY
When | Where 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. March-Nov., arrive 20 minutes before departure at Hampton Jitney depot, 253 Edwards Ave., Calverton. Reservations required. Info 631-369-3031, northforktrolley.com. Price $80 a person. Details Riders are shuttled in a 30-seat trolley to three wineries, where guests can taste at least three wines each. Book the entire trolley and personalize your tour with more stops. Custom tours, too, such as brew pubs, VIP wine tours and Friday night sunset wine tours.
LIRR TOUR
When | Where Sat.-Sun., take the LIRR to the Ronkonkoma Station. Price Based on starting point. Info longislandwinetours.com, 631-775-8686; check mta.info for schedule; reservations required. Details Visit threee North Fork wineries with three to four tastings at each. Round-trip bus from Ronkonkoma, tastings, buffet lunch and live music included.
LI VINEYARD TOURS
When | Where 8-hour private tours starting at 10 a.m., all year. Info livineyardtours.com, 516-546-6737 or 516-946-3868. Price Three packages available, starting at $75 a person plus gratuity; 21 and older; reservations required. Details A limo or luxury bus shuttles passengers door-to-door to up to three vineyards. Includes box lunch (vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options available). Brewery tours also available.
YOUR CAR, THEIR DRIVER
When | Where 24 hours, seven days a week. Info 888-327-4460, mainstreetdrivers.com Price Starting at $35 an hour daily. Details Main Street Drivers chauffeur you in your own car to North Fork wineries.
BY VAN
When | Where 11:30 a.m.-noon pickups daily year-round for groups of 4 to 14 from Riverhead to Orient. Tour wraps between 5 and 5:30 p.m. Info 631-765-4689, vintagetour1.com Price $99 a person weekdays, $112 weekends, tasting fees included at two of the four wineries visited, a winery tour and box lunch. Details Full-day winery excursion stops at such places as a beach, a farm stand and Catapano Dairy Farm, where you can visit the goats.
LI BREW BUS
When | Where Daily, reserve, private tours. Info librewbus.com, 631-664-2058. Price at $79 a person. Details Learn about the history of Long Island beers and what foods pair well with them while visiting 3-4 breweries. Round-trip transportation, guide, gourmet sandwiches available ($10) and discounts at vendors included.
TAPPED TOURS AND TRANSPORTATION
When | Where July 3, bus to Subway Series Yankees vs Mets at Citifield, sponsored by Squarehead Brewing Co. includes local craft beers; 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 24, Tapped Enterprises Anniversary Lobster Crawl; Aug. 11, 18, and Sept. 1, Hop aboard a Hops Bus; stops include Whole Foods in Jericho and Long Island Expressway park-and-ride sites at Exits 52 (Commack), 58 (Islandia) and 63 (Farmingville). Info 631-913-3817, libeerbus.com Price $100-$125 a person. Details Tours stop for tastings at at least two breweries (options include Long Ireland Beer Co., Moustache Brewing Co., Great South Bay Brewing Co., Crooked Ladder Brewing Co. and Spider Bite Brewing Co.) and a lunch stop. The hops tour includes a picnic at a hops farm.
'A spark for them to escalate the fighting' A standoff between officials has stalled progress, eroded community patience and escalated the price tag for taxpayers. Newsday investigative editor Paul LaRocco and NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie report.
'A spark for them to escalate the fighting' A standoff between officials has stalled progress, eroded community patience and escalated the price tag for taxpayers. Newsday investigative editor Paul LaRocco and NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie report.
