Spend a day at the local wineries: Vintage Hudson Valley and Long Island growing regions beckon(2)
Down leafy Route 57, modern Millbrook Vineyards & Winery features varied tasting "flights." The Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and fruity white Tocai Friuliano are in demand. (millbrookwine.com). Then cross the FDR Mid-Hudson Bridge to the Hudson Valley's scenic Marlborough winegrowing area, where Glorie Farm Winery is a boutique operation headquartered in a 1913 barn. Dazzling views accompany tastings of Glorie's economically priced wines, such as pear, apple and gold-medal-winning Black Currant (www.gloriewine.com).
Continue to Stoutridge Vineyard, which combines state-of-the-art methods with green sustainability. In the manor house you'll encounter Euro-style dry wines grown with utmost respect for the land (www.stoutridge.com).
Next stop: historic Benmarl Winery, which holds New York State Farm Winery License #1. Among its many wines are peachy Traminette and peppery Baco Noir (www.benmarl.com).
Day Two: Hudson Valley South.
This route - the Shawangunk Wine Trail - takes visitors perilously close to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery looks like a French chateau but acts like a pub. It's famed for Doc's Hard Cider, fruit brandies and live music on weekend afternoons (www.wvwinery.com).
Applewood Winery is a real farm winery where you can pick your own McIntosh and Cortland apples and taste 20 Applewood wines (www.applewoodwinery.com).
Brotherhood Winery is America's oldest winery, with tours of the country's biggest underground wine cellar. Tasting flights cover Brotherhood wines like Riesling and Holiday hot spiced wine, plus global labels, too (www.brotherhoodwinery.net).
Palaia Vineyards is a crowd-pleaser. Its winery is open every day and weekend nights, with live music Thursday through Sunday. And visitors get five free tastes (www.palaiavineyards.com).
Many wineries are open only Friday and Saturday during the day. Admission and tours are free; tastings and purchases are value-priced. Kids are welcome, but pets are not. Only light snacks are served, so picnic baskets are usually encouraged. Keep hydrated and designate a non-drinking driver.
