The North Fork is a perfect pairing of land and sea. In the last thirty years the pristine waters have been complimented by miles of verdant vineyards, and the wine producers have built beautiful tasting rooms so visitors could sample their wines. If only boaters could get there…
Ah, but they can. There are several marinas along the fork that offer transient docking where you can be picked up by one of many vineyard tour companies for a day amongst the vines. These tour companies are designed to customize any trip, and will pick you up wherever need be – even at the marina. A simple call prior to your landing and they will scoop you up at your desired time and drop you off when you are finished with your day.
From west to east, these marinas offer slips on a daily basis: Larry’s Lighthouse Marina in Aquebogue (631-722-3400), Great Peconic Bay Marina in South Jamesport (631-722-3565), Strong’s Marine in Mattituck (631-298-4770), Port of Egypt in Southold (631-765-2445), and Claudio’s Marina in Greenport (631-477-0355).
Since the boom of the wine industry on the North Fork many businesses related to wine have popped up. Vineyard tour companies have formed by the dozen, but I have selected the cream of the crop and those that will tailor their service to boaters specifically.
North Fork Wine Tours (https://www.northforkwinetours.com/) is a one-stop shop for custom wine tours. They will put together a caravan for grand festivities or arrange a town car for more intimate experiences.
Long Island Wine Tours (www.longislandwinetours.com) can accommodate large and small groups, from 2 to 200 people. They can handle a big corporate outing or a romantic, more private tour. A hot or cold lunch is included with your day, and they tailor their stops to your individual needs, pulling over at various shops and stands along the way. Price varies greatly according to the package you choose.
Off the Vine Tours (www.offthevinetours.com) promises a picnic lunch and complimentary glass of wine (you get to keep the glass) with their personalized tours. Their 13-passenger van traverses wine country for about 5 hours, stopping at 3 or more vineyards for tastings. They also offer “wine and dine” packages for those looking to stop at a North Fork restaurant for dinner.
LI Vineyard Tours (livineyardtours.com) has a fleet of luxury limos for smaller parties and tour buses with room for up to 48 passengers as well. They boast “Create Your Own” options that let you design your day, or you can leave it up to them to entertain you. You can choose to have a picnic lunch provided or they can stop at a local restaurant midday where reserved seating will be held for you. They are more than willing to make detours as you wish.
Reservations are required for all tours, and you should check their websites for special offerings, upcoming events, and updated packages. There are new wineries opening all the time, with over 50 to speak of on the North Fork alone. If you are looking to plan something very specific for your journey ashore, simply ask the tour company if they can accommodate you. Most are willing to help plan your day according to your wishes.
So relax, sip, and enjoy. And make sure you have a designated captain aboard!
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