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A weekend at wine camp

Meredith Daniels

4:34 PM EDT, June 21, 2007

You won't sing songs by the campfire or make jewelry boxes from popsicle sticks, but you will be drinking lots of wine and learning abou wine-making at Long Island's wine camp.

The four-day, three-night getaway is a great way for couples (although singles can certainly do it, too) to evolve their knowledge of vino or just explore what 'the Island's' beautiful North Fork has to offer.

Campers stay at one of the five bed and breakfasts participating in the event and you can be sure the food and accommodations are just as good as the wine, itself.

Eight presenters from various wineries along the region's Routes 25 and 48 give real insight into the history and business and welcome you into their wineries where you will tour the vineyards and participate in seasonal activities. Chris and Ros Baiz of The Old Field had the group make protective tubing and even pick the bad shoots off the vines during May's wine camp. And don't worry if it rains. There is still plenty to do inside the wineries.

Campers eat at Scrimshaw restaurant in Greenport on the first night and a lunch, brought in by a local caterer, is provided every day al fresco in the vineyards. The grand finale dinner event includes a wine and food pairing at Castello di Borghese winery.

Campers get a t-shirt and a case of local wines to take back home, and who knows you may even make a pen pal or two.

The cost for wine camp is $749 per person, double occupancy. Single, group, commuter rates and transportation options are also available. Upcoming dates for this year's wine camp are July 23-26 with future dates to be announced. For more information, log on to www.winecamp.org or call (631) 495-9744.