Wine Tasting in New York: 13 Places You Have to Try

Part of what makes New York such a phenomenal city to visit is that no matter what you're into, you can find it here. And as one of the world capitals of international finance, New York is no stranger to the finer things in life. The city has some of the best wine bars and best wine-tasting events not only in the United States but in the entire world.

As well as the best wines from around the world, New York is a wine-producing region of its own. In fact, New York State is the nation's third-largest wine-producing state after California and Washington, and New York is home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in the country.

All of this adds up to some great wine tastings available in New York City. If you're a wine drinker, trying out the best wine tastings in the city could keep you occupied for days, if not weeks. Combined with the best things to do in New York at night, you certainly won't run out of things to do in the City that Never Sleeps.

Drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in New York, and you'll be ready to explore some of the best New York City tours and head further afield into the New York wine country. Here are some of the best wine-tasting experiences you can have in New York.

City Winery

This is so much more than a regular winery. City Winery is a unique concept that has spread to several major cities throughout the US, and a visit to the New York location will show you exactly why. City Winery is an entertainment venue with regular shows by touring artists, including an Ultimate Beatles Brunch on Sundays. It's also a restaurant that offers spectacular views over the Hudson River and boasts 32,000 ft.² of dining space, making it one of the biggest restaurants in Manhattan.

But most of all, City Winery is a place to drink wine. Try one of the legendary lunches with carefully selected food pairings to enjoy one of the best wine tastings in New York, or join their wine club to be invited to exclusive events and tastings of rare vintages. With exceptional wine, great food, and lively entertainment, City Winery offers far more than the regular tasting room experience. In fact, this wine tasting room offers everything you need for a memorable night out in the Big Apple.

25 11th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Italian Wine Merchants

This is one of the best places in New York to enjoy a wine tasting, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro. Italian Wine Merchants offers regularly scheduled educational wine tastings that are perfect for those who want to learn more about wine, as well as weekly free-for-all tastings open to all.

But what makes this place truly special is the huge range of wines available. With over 10,000 wines in stock from all over the world, you're sure to find something you love here. They also have an online store so you can pick up your favorite bottles to take home with you.

108 E 16th St, New York, NY 10003

Wine & Spirits Magazine Top Ten Tasting Rooms

This is an annual event that brings together the ten best wine tasting rooms in New York for one big wine extravaganza. This is your chance to sample wines from some of the best wineries in New York State, as well as enjoy live music and delicious food.

The event takes place every year in October, so if you're visiting New York at that time, make sure you add this to your list of things to do. It's the perfect way to get a taste of what New York has to offer when it comes to wine.

New York Wine & Food Festival

This is one of the biggest food and drink festivals in the world, and it just so happens that wine is one of the star attractions. The festival takes place every year in October and features some of the best chefs, winemakers, and sommeliers from all over the world.

If you love wine and food, this is the perfect event for you. With over 100 different events to choose from, including wine tastings, cooking classes, and celebrity chef dinners, there's something for everyone at the New York Wine & Food Festival.

Zabar's Wine Tasting Bar

This is the perfect place to go if you want to enjoy a wine tasting in New York without spending a fortune. Zabar's is a legendary New York institution, and its wine tasting bar offers an excellent selection of wines at very reasonable prices.

With over 50 wines available by the glass and bottle, there's sure to be something to suit your taste. And if you're unsure what to choose, the knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to help you find the perfect wine for your palate.

2245 Broadway, New York, NY 10024

Astor Wines

This wine shop and tasting room is well known to New York oenophiles as one of the best places in the city to try a bottle of something new. With over 8,000 different wines available from all over the world, you're sure to find something to your taste.

And if you're not sure what you're looking for, the knowledgeable staff at Astor Wines will be more than happy to help you find the perfect bottle. They also offer regular free tastings, so it's a great place to explore new wines without breaking the bank.

Free isn't a word you hear too often in New York, but Astor Wines is famous in the city for its free wine tasting events. Step into their wine tasting room off Lafayette at 4th Street, and you'll be taken on a journey through the world of wine. Each tasting has a different theme, and they take place most days of the week, so it's easy to fit a visit to this cozy tasting room into your trip to New York. And if you like anything they provide, you'll get a 20% discount on any wine poured at the tasting.

399 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003

Pour your own wine at Corkbuzz

This unique wine bar in Union Square allows you to pour your own wine from Enomatic machines. Choose from over 40 different wines by the glass, and pay by the ounce.

It's a great way to try a variety of wines without committing to a whole bottle, and the knowledgeable staff is on hand to help you make your selection. And if you find something you like, you can buy a bottle to take home with you.

13 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

67 Wine & Spirits

This is one of the best wine shops in New York, and it's also home to a great wine bar. With over 4,000 different wines available, you're sure to find something to your taste.

And if you need help choosing, the knowledgeable staff are always on hand to offer their expert advice. They also offer regular free tastings, so it's a great place to explore new wines without breaking the bank. Tastings take place on Friday and Saturday afternoons, so make sure you save time to try out this excellent wine shop.

179 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023

Terroir

Don't let this Tribeca wine bar's elegant and sophisticated decor fool you. Terroir aims to put the fun back into wine tasting with an astonishing range of unusual events. Check out their summer Riesling cruise for one of the most unusual and delicious New York tours imaginable. But they also operate an excellent wine tasting room where you can try wines from around the world.

Additionally, Terroir focuses on wines from the local area, including wines from the Finger Lakes region. It's always nice to support local producers, and this is a great way to do that.

24 Harrison St, New York, NY 10013

Millbrook Vineyards and Winery

You don't have to go all the way to Napa Valley to enjoy a wine tasting in New York. The Millbrook Vineyards and Winery in the Hudson Valley is just a short drive from the city, and it's well worth the trip.

The vineyards produce a range of excellent wines, including Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. And if you're not sure what to choose, the knowledgeable staff will be more than happy to help you find the perfect wine.

There are also plenty of events and tours taking place throughout the year, so there's always something new to see and do at Millbrook Vineyards. Whether you're a wine lover or just looking for a day trip from the city, this is definitely worth a visit.

26 Wing Rd, Millbrook, NY 12545

Finger Lakes Wineries

You'll find the wines produced by Finger Lakes wineries on menus throughout the city. But if you're willing to take a short trip from New York itself, why not visit the wineries directly and learn more about how the wine is produced?

This wine-producing region lies around 300 miles from the city, so it might be best to consider an overnight trip. But you'll be able to visit tons of interesting wineries and learn more about their product direct from the people who make it. Plus, many of the wineries are family-friendly, with kids' play areas to keep little ones occupied, and the lakes themselves are great places to spend some time in the summer.

Finger Lakes Region, NY

Warwick Valley Winery

Just over an hour from New York City, the Warwick Valley Winery is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. The vineyards here produce a range of excellent wines, and you can tour the facility to see how they're made.

After the tour, make sure you stop by the tasting room to try some of the wines for yourself. And if you find something you like, you can buy a bottle or two to take home with you.

There are also plenty of events taking place throughout the year, so every visit to this picturesque winery is different from the last. Whether you're looking for a day trip from the city or just want to enjoy some delicious wine, this is definitely the place to go.

114 Little York Rd, Warwick, NY 10990

Hudson Valley Wine Tour

If you're looking for a more comprehensive wine tour, then the Hudson Valley Wine Tour is definitely for you. This five-hour tour takes you to three different wineries in the area, and you'll get to try a range of wines at each one.

You'll also learn about the history of wine production in the region and get some insider tips on how to choose the perfect bottle. The tour includes transportation from New York City, so all you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.

Whether you're a wine lover or need to escape the city for a few hours, the Hudson Valley Wine Tour is a great way to explore some of New York's best wineries.

Conclusion

There's no city in the world quite like New York. That's as true for wine lovers as it is for everyone else. As well as being home to some of the best wine bars and wine shops in the country, New York is not far from its own wine country, so you can discover more about local wines as well as international grand crus.

Of course, there's more to New York than just wine. If your time in the city is limited, check out our guide on how to spend three days in New York for some other activities to keep you busy. With so much to see and do here, you'll be planning your next trip before you know it.