8 Fun Kid Friendly Vineyards on Long Island

Are you looking for kid friendly vineyards on Long Island? Whether you’re local or visiting, don’t miss our world class North Fork wine country?

Did you know that there are around 90 wineries on Long Island’s North Fork? Many serve award winning, world class wines.

You’ll find an array of red Meritage blends, crisp sauvingon blancs, and even the country’s only rosé only vineyard.

Locals and visitors alike don’t want to miss a day out at the vineyards. And with a good handful of kid friendly wineries on Long Island, families won’t have to!

While some wineries certainly deter or flat out prohibit families, others welcome them with live music, expansive outdoor yards, and lawn games. At many Long Island wineries, it’s simply another day out with the kids.

Bring a picnic, enjoy the scenery, and sip some of the country’s best wine. Responsibly of course.

So where can you enjoy a dry rosé while your littles nosh on a baguette? Which wineries have farm animals or games for little and big kids to enjoy. Where can you bring a picnic and comfortably hang out for a bit while the kids simply run.

And where can you taste wine in a pirate ship.

Discover the best kid friendly wineries on Long Island so the whole family can enjoy a relaxing day on the North Fork.

We’re even covering winery etiquette, our favorite picnic supplies, and where to stay to make a fun weekend out of your trip to the vineyards.

the best kid friendly vineyards on long island / kid friendly wineries on long island

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8 Kid Friendly Vineyards on Long Island

Harbes Family Farm and Vineyard

It’s all in the name. Harbes is one of the best family and kid friendly wineries on Long Island.

Harbes vineyard, located just behind the iconic farm stand and Barnyard Adventure, is Long Island’s first certified sustainable vineyard. The vineyard produces Chardonnay and Merlot clones, along with an award Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cabernet Franc.

Harbes is also one of our favorite family farms on Long Island. Children can see farm animals, enjoy the playground, walk the maze, climb the obstacle course and more while parents kick back with a glass in the tasting barn.

Harbes Farmily Farm is well known for their farm stand and cider donuts, and for hosting a number of seasonal events. Consider visiting during the summer Peach Festival, the fall Apple Festival, or another family friendly event.

What should you sip at Harbes?

Harbes Vineyard is well know for their Chardonnay and Blanc de Blanc, an award winning 2019 wine according to New York Wine Classic. The 2014 Cabernet Franc, if you enjoy reds, is a top rated, 91 point wine, according to Wine Enthusiast.

One of the most kid friendly wineries on Long Island, Osprey's Dominion boasts a large outdoor area, music, and games.
One of the most kid friendly wineries on Long Island, Osprey’s Dominion boasts a large outdoor area, music, and games.

Osprey’s Dominion

My personal favorite, Osprey’s Dominion is one of the most kid friendly wineries on Long Island for a number of reasons.

To start, Osprey’s is huge. It’s very easy to spread out and both keep your kids away from adult only groups, and give them space to run around. During peak season, Osprey’s Dominion often hosts live music on their back lawn.

Alternatively, the front lawn is a bit quieter with extra space to run around. Both lawns have corn-hole and other games for guests to enjoy and adirondack chairs. Three BBQ stations are also available for public use, or you can bring your own picnic.

During a typical weekend, you can either take a flight to go from the indoor tasting room, or grab a glass from one of their outdoor bars. When picking up your glass, snag a vineyard themed-coloring book, created by the winery’s owner to entertain children. I love that kids learn the science behind wine while remaining entertained.

What should you sip at Osprey’s Dominion?

Osprey’s Dominion is the only vineyard on Long Island to grow and produce Carmenere, a dry, French wine. I personally love their unwooded Chardonnay and their rosé. You can sometimes get a case of last year’s rosé vintage for $100 at the start of the season!

While Croteaux is a bit more upscale, they welcome both kids and pets.
While Croteaux is a bit more upscale, they welcome both kids and pets.

Croteaux Vineyards

Croteaux Vineyards is the only rosé only vineyard in the US. Much smaller than other Long Island wineries and unique in nature, Croteaux is very much Provence inspired.

Croteaux is one of many Long Island wineries to be very up front with their children’s policy – they’re kid friendly, but they expect your children to remain seated like the rest of the party. At Croteaux, you’re served table side, rather than from a bar or counter.

That said, since no large groups, limo drop-offs, or bachelorette parties are permitted, Croteaux is naturally more appropriate for families. I personally think Croteaux is great for families looking for a more intimate setting. But, be mindful of your child’s ability to stay seated.

Croteaux also serves a selection of provencal inspired food. Grab a basket of snacks with fresh baguette to keep the little ones entertained for a bit.

What should you sip at Croteaux?

Croteaux specializes in dry, crisp rosés so you can’t go wrong with any of their wines if that’s your preference. I personally love dark rosés, particularly the Jolie cab franc rosé. The popular Merlot 314, my mom’s favorite, is a bit lighter and more citrus-y.

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyards serves frosé and pies, making it a fun and unique spot to bring the family.
Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyards serves frosé and pies, making it a fun and unique spot to bring the family.

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyards

Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyards is well known for their live music, quaint shop, and expansive outdoor area.

If you’re looking for pet and kid friendly vineyards on Long Island with thinking of visiting with a pet, Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyards is for you. They’re proudly one of the only wineries to still allow picnicking, as well as dogs.

At one point, Baiting Hollow Farm was also part horse sanctuary. Though the non-profit dissolved, the dedication to horse rescue remains. Part of the winery profits still goes to rescue effort and a line of their wines are aptly named after horses once on the property.

Don’t miss the gift shop, as well, which features dog and cat themed gifts as well as incredible pies to-go from the Long Island Pie Company.

What to sip on at Baiting Hollow?

The Savannah Rosé is fruitful, dry, and is named after a Thoroughbred rescued at 18 months and brought to the vineyard. BHFV is also known for their frosé, served during the summer months.

Pindar Vineyards

Pindar is one of the largest, most well known kid friendly wineries on Long Island.

80 percent of Pindar’s energy comes from wind power. Though they may not be interested in learning about sustainable wine making, children will certainly get a kick out of seeing one of Long Island’s largest wind turbines.

They’ll also enjoy frolicking through the sunflowers or the large lawn area, where picnicking is allowed. During in-season weekends, visitors will likely find live music as well.

What should you sip on Pindar?

With over twenty wines to choose from it’s hard to find something you won’t enjoy. That said, a few wines stand out. My favorite wine from Pindar is the Mythology, reviewed highly in both the NY Times and Bon Appetite. Only a few cases remain of this 2015 vintage, but it’s worth it to snag one! For a white, the lightly oaked Sunflower Chardonnay is unique.

  • Pindar is located at 37645 Main Rd, Peconic, NY

Jamesport Vineyards

Want to know the best way to get your children to sit and behave at a vineyard? PIZZA!

Jamesport Vineyards isn’t just one of the best wineries on Long Island, but they have some of the best wood fired pizza. Coupled with the lawn out back, the winery is very kid friendly.

Funny story, we once bought a Groupon for a different wine and pizza vineyard on Long Island and were turned away for having kids. It’s totally cool, I’m glad there’s adults-only vineyards, too. But I’m more than happy we discovered Jamesport instead. It’s now one of our go-tos.

What should you sip on at Jamesport Vineyards?

My favorites are the versatile East End Field Field Blend White and Reds and the Estate Glacé, unique from their frozen November harvest. If you’re looking to splurge, go for a French barrel aged reserve.

Your little ones will love feeding and watching the animals at Jason's Vineyard.
Your little ones will love feeding and watching the animals at Jason’s Vineyard.

Jason’s Vineyard

Jason’s Vineyard is one of the most welcoming on Long Island, even for kids. They serve flights from the ‘stern’ of their Argonaut inspired ship themed bar. My son thinks it’s a pirate ship.

I’m going to admit here that Jason’s doesn’t exactly make my favorite wines. Instead, it’s the environment we love at Jason’s.

The large deck and outdoor area provide plenty of room to spread out. Live music often plays either indoors our outside during peak season.

Jason’s is unique, though, for its on-site farm animals. At any given time, you can see llamas, sheep, and occasionally newborn baby lambs. Walk the vineyard while the littles marvel at or feed the animals.

What should you sip on at Jason’s?

By far, Jason’s Golden Fleece is the most popular. Half fermented in stainless, I enjoy this Chardonnay blend, despite not being a huge fan of the grape.

Pugliese Vineyards

Pugliese is a family friendly vineyard that aims to be a unique alternative to some of the typical Long Island wineries with large tasting rooms. You’ll often find the owner in the small tasting room or hand painting wine glasses for her gift shop.

Outside, children especially will love the picnic tables or walking around the lake.

What should you sip on at Pugliese Vineyards?

I enjoy Pugliese’s Cabernet Franc, which is a popular grape on Long Island’s east end. For a unique wine, the late harvest Gewürztraminer is equally sweet and acidic.

Looking to Book a Weekend Trip? Check Out These East End Hotels Near Wine Country:

Wineries With Kids: Etiquette Tips

There are clearly quite a few kid friendly vineyards on Long Island. But, that doesn’t make them a free-for-all. I certainly don’t recommend simply dragging your kids from winery to winery while they’re stuck on their tablets, whining to move on.

Here are some practical etiquette tips to help you make the most of your trip to the wineries:

  • Visit Early or During Off Times – find thinned out crowds and more space to run around during the off season. You’ll also be served quicker, which is beneficial if the day starts to head south. Of course peak season is when you’ll find live music and events. In that case, try to time your visit earlier in the day before the crowds are too into their wine.
  • Move Away from the Tasting Area – adults and servers at the bar will appreciate that you take your glass or flight somewhere more appropriate. Take advantage of the many kid friendly wineries on Long Island that have open space, lawn games, or picnic areas.
  • Pack a Picnic – if allowed, picnics are a great way to keep kids sitting still. Food is always the ultimate distraction. Pack a washable outdoor blanket, a picnic basket cooler, snacks, plates and cutlery if needed, and your kids’ water bottle. We also love a pop up high chair to keep the littlest ones stationary.
  • Bring Activities – while Osprey’s Dominion often has coloring books, other wineries certainly don’t need to provide entertainment for your kids. My kids love these mess free coloring pads and of course we always bring their tablets, as well.

There you have it! Everything you need to know about planning your perfect family friendly day trip to the Long Island wineries. Who said vineyards were only for adults…

What Are Your Favorite Kid Friendly Wineries on Long Island?

With over 90 wineries to choose from, we’re sure there are other spectacular kid friendly vineyards across Long Island. Let us know your personal favorites in the comments below.

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