The 24 Best Wineries and Vineyards Near NYC That Are Well Worth the Trip

The West Coast may get the lion’s share of the glory when it comes to America’s wine regions but guess what: the East Coast (especially the Tri-State Area) can more than hold its own when it comes to vino. In fact, New York State alone has a long history of wine production and is even home to America’s oldest winery. From Finger Lakes to Cape May to New Haven, there are plenty of gorgeous vineyards to see and outstanding wines to try just a stone's throw away from the city. So the next time you’re in the mood to tour and taste grapes of the fermented variety, forget the pricey trip to Napa and instead head to one of these 24 wineries and vineyards near NYC. Cheers!

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• Why We Love It: live music series; wide selection of reds, whites, rosé, sparkling and sangria
• Distance from NYC: About 1 hour and 15 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 100 Brotherhood Plaza Dr., Washingtonville, NY
• Price: $$

I’d like to take a moment to thank visionary Jean Jaques, who bought land in 1810 and began planting grapes. By 1839, he had fermented the very first wine vintage in America. While many more wineries have popped up since, the Brotherhood is still a must for wine lovers. Check out their hand-excavated underground cellars, try out five of their popular wines and even enjoy live performances every weekend.

• Why We Love It: curated tasting experiences, good for groups, walk-ins welcome
• Distance from NYC: About 2 hours and 35 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: Yes; can be made online here or groups larger than nine can make advanced reservations by emailing reservations@hudsonchathamwinery.com
• Location: 1900 State Rte. 66, Ghent, NY
• Price: $$

This Hudson Valley mainstay’s list of accolades is too long to get into here, but trust us, you’ll love the wine as much as you love the sun-drenched tasting room. Since it was originally a dairy farm, don't be afraid to pair your wine with the in-house line of artisanal cheeses, jams and sauces, made in collaboration with local farmers. (Blood-orange cheese drizzle, where have you been all our lives?)

• Why We Love It: live music, food and drinks on the weekend; walk-ins welcome (no reservations); adults-only; try three or six wines free for the price of a $12 souvenir glass
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour and 55 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 1131 South Rd., Wurtsboro, NY
• Price: $

Looking for a fun thing to do this weekend? Visit Bashakill Vineyards. Whether you're there for the wine tasting (try three drinks for free and get a souvenir glass for $12) or the food (the seasonal and homemade dishes from the on-site chef are exceptional), or just looking to get away from the bustling city, here's a full experience worth exploring. Plus, it’s also dog-friendly so your doggo can enjoy the fun too.

• Why We Love It: summer sangria festival, annual barrel tasting, takes reservations
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour and 50 minutes by car
  Reservation needed: Yes; reservations can be made online here
• Location: 156 Highland Avenue, Marlboro, NY
• Price: $$

Known as the oldest vineyard in America, Benmarl Winery continues to be a staple in Marlboro. Grab a tour, sip some of their wines and take in the views of their 37-acre state with an impressive shot of the Hudson River Valley. And if you're lucky, they just might be making some pizza in their wood fired oven (so call ahead to find out).

• Why We Love It: specializes in rosé, tasting garden, Condé Nast Traveler favorite
• Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 15 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 1450 S. Harbor Rd., Southold, NY
• Price: $$

This Instagram-perfect vineyard, with its charming cobblestoned back patio and intricately designed bottles, can appropriately be summed up in a certain three-word hashtag:#roséallday. It’s the only vineyard in America dedicated exclusively to the pink stuff (and we're here for it). During the spring and summer, the tasting garden is particularly breathtaking as you're surrounded by a colorful and vibrant backdrop.

• Why We Love It: walk-ins welcome, great for groups up to 15 people, sustainable farming commitment, Wine Spectator calls it a “grand vin” of New York
• Distance from NYC: 3 hours by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 36225 Main Rd., Cutchogue, NY
• Price: $$

Of all the wineries near NYC, this family-run spot, which owes its high-quality wines to sustainable farming methods and a small-batch process, is hard to beat. The entire experience wins high praise from PureWow’s Senior Food Editor, Katherine Gillen, who has visited on more than one occasion: “I love it because it's not too scene-y, so it's easy enough to walk in on a summer weekend. The back patio and vineyard views are pretty and serene,and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Oh, and the wine is excellent,” she says. While you won’t want to leave the sunny outdoor pavilion, you should carve out a moment to visit the restored barn where the owner’s contemporary art collection is on display. And if you're stopping by on a Sunday enjoy live music from local artists.

• Why We Love It: seasonal weekend live music, also offer ciders and spirits, on-site café with seasonal offerings
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour and 55 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 114 Little York Rd, Warwick, NY
• Price: $

The Hudson Valley is home to many wineries near NYC and there are numerous vineyards to choose from…but nothing beats Warwick Valley Winery. They started out growing apples, and have grown to providing wines, spirits and ciders (including New York's Original Cider). While you're browsing through their impressive drink collection, enjoy food straight from local farmers (like oven-ready pizza). And you can experience the winery all year long with apple-picking in the fall and music festivals (including tribute concerts) in their outdoor stage in the summer.

• Why We Love It: 10 locations throughout the state, opera galas, seasonal events
• Distance from NYC: 45 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: Not required, but recommended on weekends; can be made online or by phone by calling 1-800-666-9463
• Location: multiple locations
• Price: $$$

FYI, this is not your average winery. Yes, you can head to the Hammonton area to check out their vineyard but why limit yourself to one spot in the Garden State? If you’re interested in trying one of their 50+ wines, their tasting room is scattered across ten locations in the state. Once you head over to one, there you can choose from their signature (which has five samplings) or Riedel (which has eight samplings and a souvenir glass) tastings. How would it be to visit all ten, we wonder?

• Why We Love It: light food menu, emphasis on seasonal ingredients, offers seven different vintages
• Distance from NYC: 1 hour and 55 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd., Shelton, CT
• Price: $

Grab your friends and head over to this Connecticut winery. Join a weekend wine tasting and you just might get live music while you're taking a sip. And once you're all done, continue your trip to the 400-acre farm where you can hand-pick strawberries and blueberries (or pumpkins in the fall).

• Why We Love It: house-made fruit wines and hard ciders, seasonal events, family-friendly
• Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 20 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 1355 Boston Rd., Guilford, CT
• Price: $$

The award-winning winery (with 440 awards) is a must-see spot in Guilford area. Why? For its wide selection of wine and hard ciders. You don't have to wait until the weekend to try a wine tasting (so, wine Wednesday anyone?). Take in a tour or finish off with a look at the Bishop's Orchards Farm. There you'll find a market, homemade ice cream and a chance to pick some blueberries and peaches.

• Why We Love It: wine bar; specializes in dry, semi-sweet, sweet and sparkling wines; seasonal live music
• Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 10 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 25 Hopkins Rd., Warren, CT
• Price: $$

For over 225 years, the Hopkin's family has turned this vineyard into a Connecticut staple. Explore all the wine selections (in the state's first established wine bar) and admire the 19th century aesthetic. When you're finished learning about ingredients and the best food pairings, make time to view Lake Waramaug in the background.

• Why We Love It: winery tours, summer music concert series, seasonal food events
• Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 20 minutes by car
• Reservation needed: No
• Location: 74 Chester Maine Rd., N. Stonington, CT
• Price: $$

Step into the New Haven area for Jonathan Edwards Winery. The family-owned business offers wine tasting that includes five samplings daily, as well as seasonal guided tours. If you plan your visit right, you might even be treated to some of the very fun events they host, including festivals, concerts and more. Plus, the space alone (featuring stone patios, large barn doors and a front-row seat of the sunset) is enough to make the trip.