This Is What Happens When You Escape NYC For The Shawangunk Wine Trail
Jessie on a Journey
July 17, 2024
I recently took a day trip from NYC to Long Island wine country and had an amazing time getting tipsy with friends on our local bounty.
As I sipped chardonnay and rode around in a chauffeured black car I wondered why I didn’t do road trips from NYC more often, especially as within two hours of New York City there are vineyards, apple orchards, hiking trails, mountain towns and small coastal villages all waiting to be explored.
Fortunately I was approached by RideBooker, a ground transportation booking company serving North America, who offered to host me for a ride.
Because my friends and I all love wine I decided to stick with that theme but move the location to the Shawangunk Wine Trail, a region of 15+ wineries in the picturesque Hudson Valley — only 85 miles from NYC!
Pre-Trip Party
It was the perfect NYC day trip, beginning with a pre-party at my friend Liz’ apartment in Tribeca. My friends and I setup a mini pot luck brunch — complete with mimosas — to get pumped for our road trip. I highly recommend this, both to get in an upbeat mindset and to get something to eat before heading out. We had our vehicle for 10 hours; definitely a recipe for disaster on an empty stomach.
Riding With RideBooker
My friends and I were picked up in our RideBooker vehicle from the apartment at 10am sharp, a shiny black six-passenger 2016 GMC Yukon Denali XL awaiting us like a chariot. It was equipped with bluetooth, an aux port and mini bottled waters, as well as a driver.
We were able to stop off when we needed, which was great for those of us with small bladders (especially as we were drinking prosecco along the journey). My boyfriend Andy and my buddy Hillary, being the musical ones of the group, also made an epic playlist that led to a karaoke-filled car ride.
The total cost for a 10-hour trip like the one we booked costs $1,147.13 including tax and 15% gratuity (the rate is $95 per hour).
It may seem like a lot at first glance, but if you’re splitting that with six people it comes to about $191 per person — not bad when you consider you’re relieved of having to make a friend stay sober and drive.
Plus the one public tour I found cost $150, making it only $41 extra per person to go private.
The Empire State Building, which had gently faded to highway, transformed to lush greenery, rolling hills and endless rows of baco noir hugged by mountains. We even spotted multiple deer crossing the road.
When we reached Woodbury signs in the shape of grape bunches start highlighting local winery names, beckoning us to pop in and try the homegrown and fermented offerings.
The Shawangunk Wine Trail
A little introduction to the trail for you. The Shawangunk Wine Trail, which resides in the Hudson Valley Wine Country, runs for 80 miles from Orange to Ulster County. It’s pure countryside and a true highlight of New York State travel — there is a reason hiking the Hudson Valley is so popular — and I settled back into my plush leather seat admiring the idyllic scenery.
The region features a moderate climate thanks to the Shawangunk Mountains to the west and the Hudson River.
In terms of grapes, they’re known for seyval blanc, a hybrid grape primarily grown in England and the USA; noiret, a hybrid developed by Cornell University that’s typically blended for complexity; and riesling, a grape New York State is becoming increasingly notable for. Hard cider is also growing in popularity, which makes sense since the region is ripe with apple orchards (get it?).
Along the Shawangunk Wine Trail you’ll hardly be limited to the above, though. You’ll also find tons of French hybrid grapes, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc, Bordeaux blends, roses and winemakers mixing French inspiration with their own creativity.
Not only that, but whether you’re exploring during the warmer months or visiting the Hudson Valley or Catskills in winter, you can enjoy this trail.