Wine Tastings in the Hudson Valley
Bring the wine tasting to the weekend.
The Lush Life creates private, sommelier-led wine tasting experiences throughout the Hudson Valley for birthdays, bachelorette weekends, retreats, family gatherings, private dinners, and groups who want to do something special without having to leave the house.
We bring the tasting directly to your rental home, Airbnb, private residence, hotel, or event venue, complete with thoughtfully selected wines, expert hosting, and an experience designed around your group.
PLAN YOUR HUDSON VALLEY WINE TASTING
A Wine Tasting, Without the Logistics of a Wine Tour
The Hudson Valley is full of beautiful wineries, but sometimes the best plan is not getting everyone into cars, coordinating reservations, or trying to keep a group on schedule.
With a private tasting, the wine comes to you.
Settle in around the dining table, gather by the fireplace, or make it part of an afternoon at the house. We’ll guide your group through a curated lineup of wines, share the stories and regions behind the bottles, and create an experience that feels relaxed, social, and genuinely special.
It’s especially good for groups who want one memorable activity built into a weekend without turning the whole day into an itinerary.
Perfect for Weekend Groups
Private wine tastings work beautifully for:
Bachelorette weekends
Birthdays
Girls’ weekends
Couples’ trips
Family gatherings
Retreats and off-sites
Anniversary celebrations
Private dinners
Airbnb and vacation-rental gatherings
Small weddings and welcome events
Whether your group is already planning a full weekend of activities or simply wants one great thing to do together, we can shape the tasting around the occasion.
Choose Your Tasting Experience
Every tasting can be tailored to your group, with themes ranging from easy and crowd-pleasing, to more focused and educational.
Popular options include Around the World, Old World vs. New World, Blind Tasting Challenge, Bubbles, Wine & Cheese, and Wine & Chocolate.
Have something more specific in mind? We can also build around a favorite region, grape, season, cuisine, or celebration.
SEE OUR TASTING EXPERIENCES MENU
Designed for Conversation, Not a Classroom
We lead guests through a thoughtfully selected lineup of wines, bringing each bottle to life through the stories, regions, grapes, and winemaking choices behind it. Along the way, you’ll discover new favorites, learn more about what you enjoy, and come away with useful context you can carry into future wine shops, restaurant lists, and dinner tables.
The experience is social, interactive, and designed to fit naturally into the energy of the gathering. If you are looking for a formal lecture-style seminar, we may not be the best fit. If you want your group tasting, talking, asking questions, and enjoying the experience together, you are in the right place.
Make It Dinner
Already have a private chef or caterer coming to the house? We can curate wines around the menu and guide guests through the pairings during dinner.
We are happy to collaborate with your chef, caterer, or event team so the wine feels like an intentional part of the meal rather than an afterthought.
Easy to Plan, Thoughtful by Design
Tell us your date, Hudson Valley location, guest count, budget, and what you want the gathering to feel like. From there, we’ll recommend the tasting format, theme, and wine lineup that makes the most sense.
We can provide the wine and tasting materials, and can also coordinate additional details such as glassware rentals, food pairings, or collaboration with your caterer or chef.
You do not need to become the wine buyer or event producer along the way— that’s our job!
Meet Your Sommelier
Sarah Tracey,
Certified Sommelier & Founder of The Lush Life
Sarah Tracey is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, wine educator, mixologist, and wine contributor for Martha Stewart, with more than 20 years of hospitality experience.
Before founding The Lush Life, Sarah worked as a Beverage Director in Michelin-starred New York City restaurants and in event operations at City Winery New York. Today, she leads The Lush Life’s tasting program and personally hosts many events throughout New York and the Hudson Valley.
Since 2020, The Lush Life has hosted more than 400 tasting experiences, from intimate private gatherings to events for hundreds of guests.
Wine Tastings Throughout the Hudson Valley
The Lush Life hosts private wine tastings throughout the Hudson Valley and Catskills region, including rental homes, private residences, hotels, retreats, and event venues.
If you are planning a weekend away and are not sure whether your location is within our service area, send us the address and we’ll let you know.
Hosting in New York City instead? Explore our NYC Wine Tastings, or bring a distributed group together with a Virtual Wine Tasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you come to our Airbnb or rental house?
Yes. Private homes and vacation rentals are one of our most popular Hudson Valley formats. We bring the tasting to you, so your group can stay settled in for the evening.
Do you provide the wine?
Yes. In most cases, The Lush Life sources and provides the wines for your tasting based on your theme, group, and budget.
If you already have bottles you would like to use, we are happy to work with those too.
How long is the tasting?
Most guided tastings run approximately 60 to 90 minutes, although dinner pairings and larger customized events can be structured differently.
Can we add cheese or food pairings?
Absolutely. Wine-and-cheese, wine-and-chocolate, and other pairing formats are available, and we can also collaborate with your private chef or caterer.
How much does a Hudson Valley wine tasting cost?
Pricing depends on your location, guest count, tasting format, wine selections, and any additional event support. Once we know the details, we’ll provide a clear proposal outlining the full event cost.
Can you accommodate guests who are not drinking alcohol?
Yes. We can incorporate thoughtful non-alcoholic options so non-drinking guests still feel included in the experience.
Let’s Plan Your Hudson Valley Wine Tasting
Whether you’re planning a bachelorette weekend, birthday, private dinner, retreat, or simply a great weekend away with people you love, we’ll bring the wine tasting to you.
