Best Wineries On The East Coast

Here are the best wineries on the East Coast! We list over 15 wineries with gorgeous landscapes and delicious tasting menus.

Best Wineries On The East Coast

We’ve driven up and down the east coast so many times. We’ve discovered so much, including amazing seafood, interesting museums, the best botanical gardens, and the best lighthouses. Now, with the help of our blogger friends, we’ve also discovered the best wineries on the east coast! Read on to see why these wineries made the list. We’ve placed them in order from north to south.

Pro Tip: If you’re also a beer lover, check out the best breweries in New England!

Bully Hill Vineyards – Hammondsport, New York

Sam of Seeing Sam

Founded on honesty and integrity, the family behind Bully Hill Vineyards has been a part of the New York wine region for almost 100 years. Bully Hill was born from the Taylor Wine Company, which became a powerhouse in the Finger Lakes wine region after surviving prohibition.

In its early days, the Finger Lakes wine region now known for its high quality Rieslings and plentiful Vitis Vinifera grapes was nothing of the sort. Behind closed doors wine makers were adding chemicals, fillers and grape juice to their wine. Appalled, Walter Taylor the current VP and grandson to the founder of The Taylor Wine Company, insisted that despite what other wineries of the region were doing at the time, his family’s company would stay true to their legacy and only make the highest quality wines imaginable.

After being fired from the Taylor Wine Company for “stirring up trouble” he conceptualized what is now Bully Hill Vineyards. It stands on the original plot of land that his grandfather used to start the Taylor Wine Company. It is a beautiful property overlooking the calm waters of Kekua lake with a delicious restaurant, heritage museum, gift shop and tasting room. They are known for their artsy wine labels, and signature “Goat White Wine.”

Tastings are offered 11am-4pm daily for $12/person which includes 5 pre-selected wines and a free souvenir wine glass. Reservations are not required but encouraged during the busy summer months.

Sparkling Pointe – Southold, New York

Shannon of Traveling Teacher Girl

Sparkling Pointe is one of the best wineries on the east coast. Sparkling Pointe is located on the north fork of Long Island in the town of Southold. They make sparkling wine using the champagne method of double fermentation in a bottle. Their facilities are beautiful, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating options. 

Sparkling Pointe offers two different tasting options- their “Flagship Flight” for $20 or their “Prestige Flight” for $30. For an additional $10, you can add on a chocolate pairing to your tasting. This is highly recommended- their chocolate pairings are incredible. They also have a variety of caviar, cheese, and meats available for purchase. Advanced reservations are required and group sizes are limited to 6 guests or less. 

If you are unable to visit in person but would still like to try their champagne, be sure to order their sparkling wine and chocolate pairing gift box available on their website. 

Sparkling Pointe is located a few minutes from the town of Greenport, which is a great central location for an overnight stay on the North Fork. While in the town of Greenport be sure to stop by the Greenport carousel, go shopping at the cute shops on Main Road, and get a meal at American Beech.

Croteaux Vineyards – Southold, New York

Victoria of Real Long Island

Did you know there is only one rosé vineyard in the entire United States?

Croteaux Vineyards sits in beautiful Southold on the east end of Long Island, New York. Part of the award winning North Fork Wine Country, Croteaux serves dry, fresh, and fruity rosé wines, inspired by Provence.

As you enter the vineyard’s grounds, you’ll feel instantly transported to France. Sip a glass in an adirondack chair, overlooking historic farmland, or enjoy a snack and a tasting at one of the quaint picnic style tables. There’s also a cozy tasting barn and an Instagram worthy wine bottle “wall.”

Tastings at Croteaux are $25 for all six still rosé wines or $18 for two sparkling wines. Single glasses run from $12 to $16.  Looking for snacks while you taste? Enjoy Moroccan olives, nuts, baguette and cheese, lobster roll sliders, and crostini with tomato confit. It’s the perfect France inspired afternoon.

While Croteaux is not open for large parties greater than 8 – it is an intimate setting – they are one of the best family friendly wineries on Long Island. Leashed dogs are welcome, too.

Lastly, catch the Rosé on the Run bus across Long Island to experience Croteax’s wines elsewhere. Pop ups are typically advertised on their instagram.

Wölffer Estate Vineyard – Sagaponack, New York

Sam of Find Love & Travel

One of the best places to visit vineyards and wineries in New York is actually on Long Island. Vineyard hopping is known to be one of the best things to do on Long Island, NY. Wölffer Estate is easily a favorite vineyard and winery. 

Nestled in the New York Hamptons, Wölffer Estate Vineyards offers an elegant vineyard experience with an indoor and outdoor tasting room, vineyard and cellar tours, and they even hold private events such as weddings. 

Since they are such a popular winery on Long Island, the vineyard does recommend making reservations. You can make reservations online for up to 2 weeks in advance for a party of 8 people or less. They do offer walk-ins as well, but if you know you want to visit, a reservation is your best bet. They are open all year, so any time is a great time to visit.

One of the reasons Wölffer Estate Vineyard has become so popular is from their Summer in a Bottle Rośe which has made it on several wine lists.

When visiting their tasting room, you can expect wine or cider by the glass, bottle, or by flight (4). They also offer small plates and boards. The menu changes often, but you can expect prices to be around $15 and up per glass.

Willow Creek Winery & Farm – West Cape May, New Jersey

Elena of The Carry-On Chronicles

The Cape May Peninsula is home to a booming wine industry and Willow Creek Winery & Farm is one of the best places to enjoy it. In fact, a wine tasting is one of the most popular things to do in Cape May. As the largest winery on Cape May Island, Willow Creek offers several different tasting and tour options for visitors. Group wine tastings, one of the most popular offerings, are available for $25 per person. During these tastings, wine lovers will have the chance to sample 5 different varieties while learning about the wine-making process from the vine to the bottle.

Alternatively, those who prefer a more private experience can opt for a table flight. With this option, guests can enjoy 3-oz. pours of dry reds, whites, sweets, or estate wines as well as convenient table service.

Plus, Willow Creek also offers vineyard tours of their impressive 50-acre farm for $25 per person. During these interactive 45-minute tours, guests can take in the beautiful scenery from the comfort of an eco-friendly electric cart while learning about the vineyard’s sustainable agricultural processes.

In addition to tours and tastings, visitors may also wish to book a stay at one of the six charming rental cottages on their beautiful country estate. The vineyard also serves as a wonderful setting for weddings and other private events.

RdV Vineyards – Delaplane, Virginia

Terri of Female Solo Trek

RdV Vineyards is an audacious winery built into a 30-foot plot of granite in Delaplane, Virginia. This terroir produces world-class wine. This vineyard celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2021 but its journey is just starting. RdV owner and vigneron Rutger de Vink, describes his winery as “made great by the audacity to pursue what seemed impossible.”

While he searched for years to find the right place to build his winery, he settled on the Old Dominion (Virginia) instead of California. This is an East Coast winery to visit for a big celebration, such as an anniversary or milestone birthday. The “Indoor RdV” Experience costs $120 a person. You’ll enjoy an up-close look at RdV’s winery operations, solid granite caves and vineyards. The tasting includes a glass of prestige cuvee champagne (currently RdV is serving Krug), followed by a comparative flight of a Second Growth Bordeaux, RdV’s Lost Mountain, and a quintessential Napa Cabernet. The wines are paired with a charcuterie presentation. The trip to RdV showcases Virginia’s rural roots.

The winery is situated in the foothills of Blue Ridge Mountains. It is an easy day trip from Washington, DC, Richmond, or Charlottesville, Virginia. Go to rdvvineyards.com to find out the dates available. Plan to book far in advance if your dates are not flexible.

The Winery at Bull Run – Centreville, Virginia

Julie of Fun in Fairfax VA

The closest winery to Washington DC is also one of the most interesting. The Winery at Bull Run features a wonderful combination of beautiful vineyard views, fascinating history, and tasty Virginia wines. The family-run winery sits right next to Manassas National Battlefield. This was the site of the first major battle of the Civil War. In fact, picnickers were caught up in the Union retreat when they tried to watch the fighting from here.

Today, the Winery at Bull Run offers a lovely setting to relax and enjoy locally-grown and produced wines. The winery produces a mix of red and white wines from 100% Virginia grapes, including a popular Viognier and Cabernet Franc. Wine tastings are hosted inside a large barn that also has table seating. A guided tasting with winery staff is $18 and features 6 wines (3 reds and 3 whites). Alternatively, you can choose a $15 pre-poured tasting of the same 6 wines to take to your table.

Comfortable seating extends outside to a stone patio (heated in winter) and spacious lawns. There are separate adults-only and family-friendly areas, so it’s a fun winery to visit whether or not you have kids in your group.

The Winery at Bull Run’s location is perfect for a history and wine day trip. Work up a thirst when you tour the national battlefield, then reward yourself with a glass of local wine. This is also a great starting point to explore more of the excellent wineries in the Northern Virginia wine region.

Barboursville Vineyards – Barboursville, Virginia

Brianna of Casual Travelist

Ever since the days of Thomas Jefferson (who has been quoted as saying “Good wine is a necessity of life for me.”) the beautiful countryside surrounding Charlottesville, Virginia has inspired wine makers. Today, Charlottesville is one of the top wine destinations in the country. Making wine since 1976 Barboursville Vineyards is one of the best wineries in Charlottesville.

With over 20 wines available, I recommend doing the Library 1821 tasting experience to find your favorite (I’m partial to their Cabernet Franc and Nebbiolo). Barboursville is also a great winery for history buffs. Be sure to check out the Landmark Ruins, the 18th century home of James Barbour (the original owner of this property) who served a term as Virginia governor and whose connection to Thomas Jefferson is evident in the building’s architecture.

Barboursville also is home to a luxury B&B, the 1804 Inn and Cottages if you’d like the complete Virginia wine country experience.

Zoll Vineyards – Dutton, Virginia

Cortney of Tin Can Living

The Zoll Vineyard is a treasured East Coast winery that produces some of the finest wines on the east coast. Zoll Vineyards are located in Dutton, Virginia and they were founded by Robert Zoll. Zoll has been growing grapes since 1951 and he still runs his vineyard today with his son Joe Zoll who currently operates as Vice President of Operations.

This vineyard is great to visit. They offer several different tasting options ranging from a standard sampling of their wines to a more in-depth and educational tour that will teach you about the winemaking process. The wine tastings start at only $16. They also offer several different flights, including tasty meads and sangrias.

The food menu is absolutely amazing as well. You’ll find the usual fare of charcuterie boards and cheese plates but Zoll also offers a variety of hot sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, soup, and more. Be sure to try the handmade chocolates and pair them with the delicious wines while taking in the scenery.

A very unique aspect of this winery is the ability to camp there. The winery has paired with a program called Harvest Hosts which allows campers to stay for free on the Zoll property in exchange for a tour of the vineyard. This is an amazing opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how a winery operates and to meet some of the Zoll family.

Zoll Vineyards are definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for an East Coast winery to visit. Their wines are so delicious and their tasting options allow everyone from beginners to wine connoisseurs to enjoy the Zoll experience.

Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery – State Rd, North Carolina

Anna of Stuck On The Go

The Yadkin Valley AVA located in the foothills of North Carolina is one of the up-and-coming wine destinations in the US. With over three dozen wineries nearby, you’ll have no shortage of options. If you are planning a visit to this area then make sure Grassy Creek Vineyard & Winery is on your list! It’s by far one of the best wineries in the Yadkin Valley.

Grassy Creek is located on what was a dairy farm that started in the 1920s. The milk bottles that hold their semi-sweet wines pay homage to that past. The horse stables have been converted into the tasting room and now it’s a warm, welcoming space to enjoy a glass of wine. There is also lots of outdoor space to enjoy whether you want to sit on their patio, under their pavilion, or bring a picnic blanket to spread out on the grass.

Their wines really are delicious – be sure and try the Chambourcin – but what sets them apart is the friendly service they offer to each customer. They do have plenty of different varieties to choose from, though, from dry reds and whites to sweet dessert wines.

Since COVID began, they’ve done their tastings a little differently and serve them as flights that you can take wherever you would like around the property. You get to try five different wines for only around $10. Even their bottles are reasonable since most cost between $20 – $30.

San Sebastian Winery – St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine is known as the “Nation’s Oldest City” and in this historic city you’ll find San Sebastian Winery. Open since 1996, it’s one of the best wineries on the East Coast. San Sebastian Winery has won over 300 awards for excellence, and is visited every year by over 100,000 people.

They also offer free wine tasting tours. During the tours, you can learn about the wine-making process and the different kinds of wine that they offer. In addition, San Sebastian also has live music on weekends at “The Cellar Upstairs” which is on the rooftop of the winery.

Another top St. Augustine attraction is visiting the Whetstone Chocolate Factory. It’s right next door to the winery, so it’s a perfect place to stop after you’ve done your free tasting.

Island Grove Wine Company – Hawthorne, Florida

Just outside the college town of Gainesville is Island Grove Wine Company. At 200 acres, they have the largest organic blueberry farm in the state and specialize in blueberry wines. From start to finish, everything is done on the property; from fermentation to bottling. Even their labels are designed in-house!

Visitors can tour the winery itself or stop by their tasting house. The tasting house is really nice; there are comfy chairs to relax and a small shop to buy wine related trinkets. As implied by the name, at the tasting house you can enjoy complimentary wine samples. We sampled a few of their berry wines and loved the smooth textures and sweet flavors.

Cavallo Estate Winery – Lecanto, Florida

Considered a food and wine destination, visiting Cavallo Estate Winery is one of the top things to do in Central Florida. Also specializing in blueberry wines, they produce 20,000 bottles of wine a year! You can sample their wines at their storefront, Cavallo Farm & Market.

Their store also has fresh produce, baked goods, fresh bread, olive oils and vinegars, jams & jellies, and coffees. You can also find succulents, luxurious honey, eco-friendly bath & body merchandise, and nostalgic gift items. During blueberry season, you can even stop by and pick your own. So really, you could spend the whole day at Cavallo sipping wine, exploring the 40 acre estate, and doing some shopping.

Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards – Clermont, Florida

Located along the rolling hills of Clermont is Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards. On over 120 acres, they produce premium and sparkling wines from the native Muscadine grape varieties Noble, Carlos and Welder, as well as Vinifera varieties to include Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 1,500 awards, they are definitely one of the best wineries on the east coast.

Lakeridge is open every day of the week and offers complimentary wine tours and tastings. Tours start at 10 AM and start about every 15 minutes. The last tour for the day begins at 4 PM. The tour starts with a short video about the wine-making process. You’ll then get to look down at the production area and head outside to the balcony to see the vineyards. Back inside, you’ll sample about seven wines. Overall, tours last about 45 minutes.

Lakeridge also has a retail store where you can buy their wine as well as other wine related items. On the weekends, Lakeridge has food and live entertainment from noon to 4 PM.

True Blue Winery – Davenport, Florida

True Blue Winery is a charming winery located in historic Davenport. It is Polk County’s first and only winery. If you’d like to sample their wines, they do offer tastings. For $10 you get 9 samples and a wine glass to try them in (which you get to keep). The samples include blueberry wines made at the winery and some others, like peach and cranberry, that are brought in.

Along with the winery, there is also a lovely bistro with indoor and outdoor seating. They serve steaks, sandwiches, salads, and cheeses. Their specialty, however, is brick oven pizza. There is also a small gift shop area where you can find cute wine-themed knickknacks and decorations.

Schnebly Redland’s Winery & Brewery – Homestead, Florida

This is our absolute favorite Florida winery. Located in Homestead, just southwest of Miami, is Schnebly’s. We’ve really seen this amazing winery grow over the years. It now also has a restaurant and brewery! But, of course, the main reason to go is the wine.

As a winery, Schnebly’s is really unique because it makes its wine with all kinds of fruit, not just grapes or blueberries. They make wine with passion fruit, lychee, mango, guava, coconut, and even avocado! Some combinations might sound strange, but trust us when we say they are delicious.

Tastings are $25 and includes your choice of 5 Schnebly Wines to try, plus a souvenir glass. We highly recommend making a reservation, especially if you’re planning to visit during the weekend. Walk-ins are allowed, but you could be waiting a while. Schnebly’s also offers tours of the winery on Saturdays and Sundays for $16.

Final Thoughts On The Best Wineries On The East Coast

Are you thirsty yet? We sure are! As we continue to travel up and down the east coast, we hope to add more wineries to this list. So if you can recommend another east coast winery for us to visit in the future, we’d really appreciate it. You can leave recommendations in the comments section below. 🙂

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