Macari Vineyards

Though Macari Vineyards was established in 1995, the Macari family has a winemaking legacy that spans generations: Back in the 1930s, the family began crushing grapes in their Queens home basement to create hand-bottled, homemade wines. At the vineyard, biodynamic viticultural practices, like utilizing cowherds for composting, were deployed early on to ensure soil diversity and richness. The sprawling, waterfront estate of 500 acres was transformed over the decades, and was initially purchased in the 1960s as a potato farm.

Wines include a sparkling cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay reserve, rosé magnum, and Bergen Road, their flagship red blend of cabernet, merlot, malbec, and petit verdot. While the tasting room has reopened, reservations are required. The newest addition to the winery’s lineup is Bergen Road Bungalows, luxuriously outfitted tents available for groups (up to six) to enjoy a private afternoon wine tasting and chef-prepared gourmet lunch.
Distance from NYC: 2 hours