7 Wine Experiences in New York City that Will Delight Your Senses.
Let’s say that New York City is like the Aladdin Magic Lamp, you make a wish and it appears in front of you! Wouldn’t it be great? But why if it were true?
I believe that in Manhattan, always buzzing with aliveness, everything is possible. And when it comes to wine, if you’re a wine nut like me, you can spend a pretty damn good time during your stay here!
Be in wonderment like a kid after a few days touring the busy streets of the big apple.
1. Soho Wine Tasting and Walking Tour
You’ve heard of SoHo, sure you did, one of the trendiest neighborhood located in the south east side of the island. Spend a day sipping delicious food and wines along a refreshing walking tour, this is the promise!
You will be following a wine expert guide and stop by 2 dining places to taste wines from around the world, paired with savory food of course. Groups are always under 12 people to make the experience friendlier and personalized.
2. City Winery
“With a lineup of good musicians as well as interesting winemakers who will be offering talks and tastings, I’ve got a lot of reasons to want to hang out at City Winery”.
– Eric Asimov, The New York Times
This is your place if you’re passionate about wine, music and gastronomy.
The mission at City Winery is to bring the wine country experience downtown along with pairing the culinary and cultural experience together in the perfect setting to share with other people.
- Drink the wine that you made and savor its taste.
City winery offers an unique experience in winemaking where you will have the opportunity to get into the process of making wine. They use handpicked grapes from the best vineyards in the world!
- Enjoy intimate concerts, wine & food classes, private events and of course fine dining.
Sounds, smells, tastes, views, work together to create a unique and wonderful experience at City Winery.
3. The Wine Bath Experience
Have you heard of Caudalie in France? They created the concept of wine theraphy or Vinothérapie in French. Their spa is located near Bordeaux in France. They produce creams made with grapes seeds but also offer any kind of relaxing experiences using wine grape as the raw material...Sounds interesting?
Well you don’t need to travel that far to live this kind of experience, if you’re from NY of course.
The offer?
Submerge yourself inside full juice of Tempranillo grapes. Yes, you read it right.
The package does include an ancient thermal bath circuit where you will be following a circuit through different baths all at different temperatures, a steam room with aromatherapy, a salt water bath and a relaxation area to rest on warm marble.
You will be granted an exclusive access to the wine bath for 30 min. It will happen in a private room with a cranio-facial massage of 15 min. Sounds delightful right?
You will end the overall experience with an intoxicating hour-long massage of grapeseed oil purifying and invigorating your body.
450–550$.
You will then, be well-ready for a great evening in the city with a great glass of wine!
4. Cruise the Hudson River with a Glass of Wine
Swirl, sniff, and sip a delicious glass of wine while enjoying the scenic cruise aboard a beautiful 1920s style Yacht on your way down the Hudson river.
This gourmet and educational Manhattan excursion includes an interactive wine tasting led by a sommelier of 5 different wines reflecting a region of the world.
The adventure starts at Chelsea Piers, tasting will start when the cruise is underway. Speak about viticulture and tasting techniques with the other travelers, learn and enjoy the wine in your glass. Artisan cheeses, dried fruits, nuts and bread will be paired with the wine.
5. Taste Wine
Italian Wine Merchants
108 E 16th St, + 212 473 2323, 10 am — 7 pm
This shop thrives in bringing the world’s best wines to its customers, organizing wine education and tasting experiences.
They specialize in hard-to-source wines and provides personalized service to their clients.
They will introduce you to a broad variety of styles and types of wine from around world that will increase your knowledge and appreciation of wine.
Good to know, They provides specialized wine collector and cellar management services, if it happens that you’re a New Yorker in need of space for your wines…
Don’t miss their wine tastings. It happens every Saturday at 1 pm. You can book your ticket by clicking on this link.
Free Wine Tasting at Chelsea Wine Vault
75 9th Ave, +1 212 462 4244, 10 am — 9 pm
“A store run by wine lovers for wine lovers”.
This is a must stop for any wine lover. At Chelsea Wine Vault, you will find only fine wines from producers who are committed to the highest standards of quality. Spanning 700 to 1,000 labels from around the world.
They Store the wine lists of many relevant restaurants, gathering around 27,000 cases, in a temperature-humidity controlled cellar, hence its name vault.
Located in the delightful Chelsea Market, the ideal place for your gourmet food and wine needs, Chelsea Wine Vault is a wine paradise.
They offer free tasting and wine classes and also the possibility to rents out storage space in its cellar if you live in a tiny apartment and want to age your wine in the right conditions.
Despaña Vinos
408 Broome St, +1 212 219 5050, 10 am -7 pm
This wine boutique located in SoHo offers wine and spirits from Spain.
Every Wednesday and Thursday they offer free tastings of some of the finest wines from Spain from 5 to 7:30 pm.
6. Discover Wonderful Wines in Ones of the Best Bars in Town
Lois Wine bar
98 Loisaida Ave, +1 212 475 1400, 5 pm — 12 am (open 12 pm on weekends)
“I fell in love with wine when I was working in Italy after college, mostly because I could afford it,”
- Coowner Nora O’Malley.
This is the absolute best bar in the East Village and the first wine on tap bar in town making wine by the glass (or carafe) affordable for everyone.
You don’t have to fumble any more through a big list, the owners will guide you with tasting of every offering, helping you choose a glass suited to your taste.
Immerse yourself into the layback European wine culture where the setting is cheerful and where tipping is not practiced.
Small plates are available alongside wine with prices ranging from $3-$8 per glass for both reds and whites or 1000ml carafes for $34-$58.
Corkbuzz Wine Studio
Chelsea market, 75 9th avenue, +1 646 237 4847, 12 pm — 10 pm
Uion Square, 13 E 13th St, +1 646 873 6071, 4 pm — 12 am
This cool concept of a wine bar offers 2 locals one in Union Square and the other one in Chelsea Marlet.
Corkbuzz is a restaurant, wine bar and an educational center. There’s something for everyone, with 30 wines by the glass ($9 to over $50); Champagnes and small plates, from 15$ to 24$.
The wine list is not big but good, with floral and aromatic wines. The charcuterie and cheese lists pair well with the wines and the waiters are knowledgeable without being know-it-alls.
7. Lunch or Dine
Buvette Gastrothèque
42 grove st, West Village, 7 am — 2 am (no reservation).
Buvette: dedicated to the enjoyment of eating and drinking
Buvette Gastrothèque found its inspiration in European traditions with the wish to “honor a history of craft and design, where each detail evokes a sense of story, place and delight”.
This is a restaurant, a bar and a café combining the elegance of an old world café with the simple nature of a neighborhood restaurant.
You often have to wait for a table, but once you’re seated, nearby a stranger, everything will delight you. The food is elegant and comforting.
The perfect spot to go for a lunch, or a glass of wine at the bar in the early hours of the evening.
Jean-Georges
1 central park W, +1 212 299 3900
Located in the upper east side, inside Trump International Hotel & Tower, this restaurant is one of the most renowned French eateries in New York City.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten is one of the most talented chefs and restaurateurs alive, French-born and runs five New York establishments apart from Jean Georges, including JoJo, Mercer Kitchen, Perry St. and The Mark.
With a downtown atmosphere and a bright, fresh space, you will be amazed the layering flavor in each dish, making each bite a hit parade of taste.
Savor in a three-course meal or a seven-course procession of signature dishes.
Come dressed up for the experience and book in advance is required.
Conclusion
So do you believe in the Alladin Lamp? Will you make your wish come true in going to New York?
CALL TO ACTION
Do you have a Love for Travel along with Wine and Food? Wine is a wonderful vessel to discover the world and its people. Get noticed of my last article by subscribing on my weekly newsletter. You will receive the Perfect Companion for your wine adventures.
