There's nothing like taking a roadtrip to a peaceful country setting on an 85 degree sunny low humidity day, away from the daily grind of New York City where the air is clean and the color green dominates the landscape.
Hmm, now let's see if we can make the situation better by surrounding ourselves with…….WINERIES, beautiful open fields on the edge vineyards, where we can kick back, relax, have a picnic, taste our wine-loving asses off, and lose ourselves inside a $4 glass of pinot or chardonnay where the only worry is what to have for dinner.
Well, that's exactly what my family and I actually did on a recent Saturday. We trekked eastward to Long Island's North Fork for a day of wine tasting, wine drinking, and The day was memorable and to make sure I remembered it clearly, I made sure to note the music that defined each part of it.
The following account is described in the order of music highlights that occurred throughout the day…..
8:30am The Mad Rush to the Train
Cat Stevens – Here Comes My Baby
The subways of NYC are a pain in the ass at all hours of the day. Your timing is either very bad or perfect, there is no in between. The one thing about early Saturday mornings is that they hardly ever come, so if you just miss a train (especially ones where they do construction on the weekends), count on waiting at least another 15 minutes on a steaming 140 degree platform for another one.
At 8:30am, I had 35 minutes to get a train up to Penn to catch the LIRR out to my father in-law's house. Plenty of time, and I thought, since woke up before 7am and was still sluggish, I needed some music to get me going and luckily my Ipod came right up with Cat Stevens' Here Comes My Baby . A depressing song lyrics-wise but with incredibly uplifting flowery 1960's flare. Most love songs are contradictory this way. IE Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compare's 2 You – not a love song by any means but the title and melody suggest totally otherwise. Anyhow, the song is vintage Cat, and thanks to him for lighting a fire under my ass to book down the corridor and just catch the C train going to Penn. If not for Cat, I have a steaming platform and a missed LIRR train staring me in the face.
11:30am - The Longest Wait for a Sandwich
Various Soft Rock Artists
After an uneventful train ride and some pleasantries exchanged with wife, child, and father in law (I had stayed back in Manhattan because of a prior engagement), we set out on our eastward journey. First stop, the supermarket, where we would pick up snacks to compliment the wine, always a fun thing.
But not on this day.
35 minutes after we ordered our sandwiches at the deli, we were still waiting for them. Our ticket was 61, and by the time our last sandwich was handed to us, they had looped the “Now Serving” clock and it read “Now Serving 02.” And it's not like we ordered anything fancy. Salami, Ham Sandwich, Roast beef on a roll. My biggest mistake was asking for sun dried tomatoes where the guy actually had to get out from behind the deli, walk to the produce aisle and grab a handful of them. 
The only saving grace was the frivolous music being played over the speakers. An assortment of soft rock from the late 70's and 80's like Ruppert Holmes's Escape (The Pina Colada Song), Lionel Riche's Say You Say Me (From White Nights), and one I hadn't heard in a while….the ever popular Swing Out Sister with Am I the Same Girl. I always find in irritating situations like this, it's always best to think of silly songs to get your mind of being annoyed at the Forrest Gumpness of those serving you.
At the stroke of noon, sandwiches were in hand, money was out, and we were off. Next stop Wine Country!
12-2pm The Drive
The Cowboy Junkies – Studio.
Having been a previous resident of Long Island, I can attest to the amount of traffic, the attitude of many of its residences, and the utter displeasure of simply being here. But over the last several years as a resident of Manhattan, I see it in a totally different light.
You see, in Manhattan, we have 40 times the amount of traffic, 100 times the amount of people, no front lawn, 1/8 the space, and it never quiets down except for between the hours of 5:30-8am. But it has everything you could ever need times 1000 without the use of a car or a gardener. That's why we live here. No other reason. We are a much simpler people than you think. All we want are our conveniences and we'll pay to get them.
But after a while, with a family, conveniences take a back seat and the noise eventually gets to you and then you start to wonder why you can't ever relax or kick back. And then….you see life away from Manhattan.
Trips to Long Island are now relaxing getaways. I get a lot more out of Long Island than I used to. I guess the years of separation helped me out. I get a relaxing calm from seeing lawn and sidewalks with nobody on them, and GRILLS!
Now, I never thought of Long Island as a great place to go for a drive and hit the open road, but beyond Nassau County and through to Eastern Suffolk, the traffic goes away on the LIE and it becomes something like driving in the Midwest, just you, the road and your trusted driving music.
Driving music is my favorite type of music. Even while not driving, hearing driving music makes me think of a sunny day on the open road and those are relaxing thoughts on anyone's calendar. And because I hardly drive anymore, driving music while in a car takes on an extra special trait for me nowadays.
I had a bunch of options: Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Allman Brothers, even a special mix I made called “Travelling Music.” But today's winner: The Cowboy Junkies compilation album, Studio.
How could you go wrong with song titles like “Lost My Driving Wheel” and “Shining Moon.” The real draw of the album though is the heavenly vocals of lead singer Margo Timmins , as her voice flows out of the speakers and out over the trees that line the LIE and the country roads leading to the wine country on songs like Sweet Jane (a Lou Reed cover) and A Song For Elvis orchestrated to the tune of Blue Moon except without all the doo-wop.
The pairing of the music and the drive resulted in every tense feeling in body going away…if only for an hour.
2:15pm Beverage Run
Some Spanish Singer
All my tense feelings returned upon our arrival in Riverhead, the last conceivable exit on the Long Island Expressway. When we last visited the wine country, I always said how great it was because of it's beauty and non-New York feel. Everyone always goes south to the Hamptons or Montauk, but the wine country was New York's best kept secret.
But Riverhead changed my perception. All of a sudden there was development out here. Chain stores, malls, and YIKES! A TRAFFIC JAM! How long was this going to last? Had the North Fork of Long Island become the new South Fork? What was with the 4 mile backup leading up to the traffic circle? Was Sideways r eally that influential of a movie? Get out of here people, this is my spot and you will not corrupt it!
But my fear was short lived as it was only the traffic circle that caused the backup (I mean where in the US except for New England do they have roundabouts that cause legendary backups?) The answer: Riverhead Long lsland!).
Before we were to stop at our first winery, we naturally needed non-alchoholic beverages like soda and water to offset the possible dehydration that comes with wine tasting. So among all the traffic and mini malls with Quik Marts and Delis, we chose to stop at one that had seen better days.
No matter, on this glorious day, I waltzed into Juevos y Juevos Latino Grocery, where they sold the complete line of Goya products, and an assortment special vegetables. It smelled like a Latino household (the smell of beans, rice, various sauces, spices, and in this case, throw up). I tracked down the beverage cases, and next to El Presidente, 15 varieties and brands of Malta (the latino equivalent of Malt Liquor), and other Spanish language labeled soft drinks, I found Coke, Poland Spring, and Ginger Ale (Funny that the only brand of Ginger Ale they carried was the obscure White Rock).
As I paid the nice lady for the drinks, I started to hone in on the music. Some singer belting out a classic ballad in Spanish with quite the impressive Spanish guitar was blasting throughout the place. Complete with the phrase found in every ballad of this caliber “Para siento, mi corazon…..” I have no clue what it means but I love hearing it.
I previously tried blocking it out but the sheer volume didn't allow it. If only for a split second, it amused me to no end as I looked forward to telling my family what I had just witnessed. One of those “You had to be there” moments.
2:35pm Arrival at Osprey's Dominion
Live House Band – Covers of Me and My Bobby McGee, Volcano Blows, What I Got?, and Proud Mary (Rollin' on the River)
Destination reached at last! Osprey's Dominion, one of the furthest wineries down the trail and for good reason…it's also one of the best. Think Field of Dreams without the baseball diamond and the sweaty players, and add in a big tent and free flowing wine….and a live band!
Yipee…a live band! What could be better than singing along with a live band with only a select few in attendance sitting on the edge of vineyards that at least look like they go on for miles (but this is Long Island so the end can't be that far away).
Having been to Osprey's Dominion twice previously, I had concluded three things about this winery:
- It's my favorite winery on Long Island – the wine is superb and moderately priced – something not usually scene nowadays since the beloved Sideways . You can get a glass of really damn good merlot for $4, and most of the tastings don't cost anything except for a few select vintner's reserves and specially made limited editions. So basically, you can get wasted by just tasting if you felt like it and only drop a couple of bucks on a tip for the wine pourers (believe me, they appreciate it – I mean how many times do they have to help patrons correctly pronounce Gewürztraminer in one day? They're smiling but I know they just want to knock folks in the head with a bottle of it).
The field out back is ideal for a picnic and there's tons of space so it never feels like being on the Jersey Shore on a holiday weekend. There's an outdoor bar so you don't have to walk all the way back to the tasting room and battle through the beginners just to get a glass. And did I mention they always have a live band!
- Because of its distance from civilization, it will be a less traveled winery than those closer for years to come, and that's just awesome – So basically what I'm saying here is, even though I said it was my favorite, it doesn't have to be your favorite. There are tons of other wineries that you may find just as appealing, plus it's a long drive so stay away cretons, don't have your summer wedding here, I'm actually lying, the place sucks. Get out, beware of dog, no trespassing, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law blah blah blah…oh heck, what's the use, this place rules, it's only a matter of time before commercialism reaches here.
- Did I mention they always have a live band? – Word of caution for serious musicians – unless it's only a weekend job, if you get booked here, it's not necessarily a good thing .
With that said, in my previous visits here, the bands have been…well let's say interesting at least. The variety is astounding and the setup is even more astounding. Two previous visits saw a 7 piece band totally rocking out in the middle of the back field. There were maybe 10 couples in attendance, it was 4 th of July weekend and the 7 piece band was jam packed into a gazebo smaller than my bathroom. But they sounded great.
Second time we looked forward to the gazebo band again, but this time no rock. Instead, the weirdest possible music style for the surrounding for 4 th of July in 85 degree heat: A Cabaret Lounge Act. The lead singer looked like a Russian prostitute post-communist era (her makeup was oozing off of her and the goth look made me aware that possibly any minute, the KGB would rush the gazebo with barking dogs and drag the band off to the gulag). We were one of two couples in attendance. 
This time, things had taken a noticeable turn. DRAT! Commercialism had reached here! The gazebo was engulfed in ivy, and there was a large tent set up for those looking to escape the heat. This is where the band also took up residence.
The tasting room was packed, and outback there were 3 very large groups of ladies each with their own bottle in hand and a wedding party….aw man, now we're in for it. If the band plays I Will Survive , while the ladies dance and raise the bottles in the air dancing like mutant white chicks, well then, it's duck season so just shoot me now Mr. Fudd!
Thankfully they did not and the wedding party dispersed, but I still loved the fact that each wedding party participant had their own bottle – no proper ladies here – maybe this place with bigger crowd and all wasn't so bad after all. (Woo hoo!)
On a scale of 1-10, this band was a 50 on the unintentional comedy scale. 4 members: 2 Guitarists, one lead singer, a saxophonist (who looked more fit to be jamming with Becky Ann and Marty Culp who head up the music department at Altadina Middle School), and NO DRUMMER. No drummer? I guess we're in for an afternoon of folk music or James Taylor or something – not bad but a whole afternoon? Where's the upbeat music? It just didn't fit with the gorgeous weather and free flowing wine.
Then they cut into their first song (they were on break when we got there). My perception totally shifted when I heard When the Volcano Blows by Jimmy Buffet . It brought a huge smile to my face as I watched them jam on stage with no drummer and trying to work in the saxophone on this song. The saxophone for this band's selection of music may have been the worst idea since New Coke. He was by far the most unintentionally funny person of the day. The song itself was perfect for the situation, and my slow journey towards inebriation didn't hurt either.
The next song brought on one of those “Wow, I haven't heard this song in so long, and why are they playing it here” kind of moments. What I Got by the mid 90's one hit wonders Sublime , just made me want to drink even more. Think poor man's Sugar Ray and you have Sublime . Problem was, this song lives off of its drum beats and did I mention that this band had NO DRUMMER?
The substitute? The Altadina Middle School saxaphonist. As a bonus, they did the extended version and as I sat with wife, child, and father in-law and ate sandwich and drank Osprey's Cabernet Franc, my son's stuffed animals came alive and asked to get in on the some of the wine action. Just because they were inanimate objects didn't mean they didn't have feelings too. Mr. Frog and Mr. Dog were toasted after a couple of sips and before I could offer them more, they said thanks and passed out. 
Song 3 of 4 in the set was finally one this band could handle. The band with no drummer asked Altadina to sit this one out as they cut into Rollin' on the River by Credence Clearwater Revival or Tina Turner – whatever version floats your boat. By this point, I was feeling just grand and enjoyed every minute of it. Altadina looked pissed, either ‘cause he knew he was out of place or because of the heat, not yet sure. I wanted so badly for the female lead to pull a Tina Turner where she headlocked the microphone and made the constipated face, while she and the guitarists engaged in the “Rollin” Hooo! Rollin' Hoooo, Rollin' on the river…” exchange. But they took the Mississippi River route which was just fine too.
But seeing the other version would have continued the session along the surreal path…which in turn would make this blog entry more interesting. And if you're still reading this, thanks for sticking around, it's almost done.
Last song before break was the cake topper. Before they started, the female lead had to break out the sheet music so basically now we're just watching glorified karaoke. Altadina came back and was ready for action. And yet another 180 was done when they began Janis Joplin's Me and My Bobby McGee .
Since when is the saxaphone a driving force on this song? This may very well have been the first time this band performed this song and after the female lead missed a few words and Altadina looked just plain lost (occasionally belting out notes where he thought he could fit them in), the Bobby McGee experiment had gone horribly awry. Aw well, we applauded their efforts for at least giving it a shot.
5pm Last Stop: Peconic Bay
Sarah McLaughlin – I Will Remember You
After our fill of Osprey's Dominion, it was time to get on to one more of our favorite wineries situated back towards the west, Peconic Bay . Our last visit here was a little more of your mainstream non-surreal barrel of fun and relaxation. The last band here was a serious band, covering plenty of Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan, and other classic rock selections with confidence and ease. They had a drummer and there was no saxaphone for miles. Sorry Altadina.
Only thing, it was late and it didn't look like much of a scene on the outdoor lawn. The inside was packed however. We figured, oh well, one more glass for the road (yeah, that sounds like a recipe for safety doesn't it? – but alas my sober father in-law did the driving so there).
This winery's location always makes us laugh. If you're on the grounds and look at the vineyards, it looks like you're in the middle of nowhere. Turn around and look across the county road and there's Pathmark with a rather large mini mall right across the street. So much for the seclusion.
No band but a nice breeze blowing and the faintest hint of music coming out of the outdoor speakers onto the patio. The sun had gotten a little weaker and the quietness and breeze (and of course the red wine) really complimented the music that was playing. And the first chance I had to tune into the music, my heart melted. It was Sarah McLaughlin's trademark song I Will Remember You.
The DJ at my wedding stuck this song in unplanned right after that part at every wedding where the bride and groom shove cake down each other's throat in front of 150 family and friends. But if you were to ask me what part of my wedding made me truly happy to be alive, it was that part as soon as the song started playing.
Fast forward back to now, the song played and I began to feel that feeling again where all the muscles in my body turned to Jello. With us being the only ones outside (the inside room must have been sound proofed or something), it was truly a perfect end to a great day on the North Fork.
Maybe I'll call up Altadina and we can write a song about it.
