Robert Lipper, Couple Strolling on the Beach
NYS Darren McGee, Fishing on Long Island Photo by R. Strovnik Robert Lipper, Sailboat Robert Lipper, Vineyard

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday July 14, 2005

VISITORS HAVE REASON TO CELEBRATE LONG ISLAND WINE COUNTRY

Contact:  Kristen Matejka        
Director of Marketing and Communications
LICVB&SC
631 951-3900 xt.317


VISITORS TO LONG ISLAND WINE COUNTRY HAVE MORE REASON TO CELEBRATE AS NEW LAW PERMITS RE-ORDERS AND DIRECT SHIPPING

HAUPPAUGE, NY- (July 14, 2005)- Visitors to Long Island’s east end “Wine Country” now have more reasons to celebrate the area due to today’s bill signing by Governor George Pataki suppressing former State laws restricting visitor purchases once they left the area. Visitors to the vineyards can purchase their favorite wines on-site, have wine orders they place on the premises shipped back home and now re-order their favorites once they return home.

Long Island’s Wine Country on the North Fork has become an increasingly popular tourist and group tour destination. Visitors to the area are able to visit over three dozen scenic vineyards offering wine tasting, tours, cultural events and other special events. The area is known for its quaint villages, excellent seafood restaurants and fresh fruit and vegetable farm stands, many offering special events throughout the summer and fall. Several vineyards are also located on the South Fork near Long Island’s famed Hamptons.

“There are already a lot of people who were contacting us to purchase wines (from out of state), so there is a ready market there,” said Steven Bate, director of the Long Island Wine Council. Many of Long Island’s wineries have produced award-winning vintages.

The North Fork of Long Island has become a popular site for one-day tours, as well as multi-day tours combined with other events and attractions in the area. Popular during the summer months, the vineyards are also open year-round to host groups.

In fact in the month of February, the region celebrates the Long Island Wine Country Winter Festival, with special events, art shows, discounts at local merchants and attractions. The spring and fall shoulder seasons are also excellent times to visit the scenic area when rates drop and room availability increases at area hotels.

Many tour operators are looking to Long Island to create memorable group visits, whether they arrive by plane, ferry, rail or road. Long Island has three major airports, including Long Island MacArthur Airport located in the center of Long Island and offering easy Island-wide access. And with its High Occupancy Vehicle lane opened for much of the way in high-volume areas, Long Island is motor coach friendly. Ferry service is also offered from key vantage points, along with a reliable rail system.

Many of Long Island’s most outstanding venues cater very specifically to group tours with special programs targeted specifically for larger groups. In addition to the North Fork Wine Country, Long Island’s many attractions include historic Gold Coast mansions, sparkling beaches, first rate golf, history, museums, shopping, parks and nature preserves.

The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission Tour and Travel department works with tour operators to create seamless, successful group visits to Long Island.

The Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission (LICVB&SC) was established in 1979 as a marketing arm for the destination’s nearly $5 billion travel and tourism industry. Based on Long Island in Hauppauge, NY, the LICVB&SC contributes to the economic development and quality of life on Long Island by promoting Long Island as a world-class destination and by attracting individuals, tours, meetings and conventions, trade shows, sporting events, related activities and business to Long Island. For more information about Long Island, please contact the Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau and Sports Commission by calling 1-877-FUN-ON-LI or visit the web site at http://www.funonli.com.

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