Let’s just say throughout the pandemic, I’ve picked my spots — quite literally.
We’ve taken an ultra- conservative approach to pandemic living that’s left us with overwhelming wanderlust even on the best of days. Every so often I’d think of going somewhere or doing something but ultimately, I couldn’t reconcile the risks and my comfort level.
That’s until I spotted the Bergen Road Bungalows at Macari vineyards.
Social media and I have a love hate relationship. On the rare occasion that I find a gem while aimlessly scrolling, I rationalize that my 20 minutes were well spent. In this case, they absolutely were.
I was introduced to these stunning, private, COVID-safe bungalows on Instagram, where private parties have four and a half uninterrupted hours of food and wine with zero contact from outside staff. After pitching this dream scenario to my husband and parents, we booked it for an afternoon in late winter. Industry friends had been raving about the new head winemaker Byron Elmendorf, which made me even more excited to visit. (Spoiler alert: we were so impressed we signed up for the wine club that very afternoon).
The sky was so blue and bright and the sun warm and inviting on the day we arrived for our bungalow experience. It was as if the universe was telling me this is where we belonged on this very day.
The staff at Macari understood our safety concerns and agreed to create a completely contactless experience for us. Our tent was set up prior to our arrival and I was able to check in over the phone and text the staff for any questions or additional food and beverage requests.
The team embraced hospitality in the truest sense of the world: they understood our personal needs and worked with us best they could.
Even though I had seen the images of the Bergen Bungalows on social media, I was blown away by the reality of the experience. We arrived to a beautifully laid out wine tasting as well as a charcuterie plate of my dreams, a basket of gourmet sandwiches and a hearty winter farro salad – all provided by local chef Lauren Lombardi of Lombardi’s Market.
The thoughtfulness of the experience was evident – I felt cared for in a warm, wonderful way that I haven’t felt in so long. It goes to show that true hospitality can create that feeling even in the most difficult of times.
I also loved the collaborative way in which the bungalows were created. The team worked with incredible local North Fork artisans including TENTRR, White Duck Outdoors, Terra Glamping, Jesse Elliot Design and White Flower Farmhouse—a personal favorite of ours.
Appreciation is a word that I’ve come to understand more fully since living the way we have. I appreciate experiences more than ever before. Macari’s approach to wine tasting was thoughtful and luxurious—two adjectives that I’m quite fond of. I look forward to seeing how they continue to reinvent the tented platforms as they plan to reimagine the space for private chef dinners and other offerings. And I am thankful that they embrace hospitality in the truest sense of the word and made my family and I comfortable to have such an unforgettable afternoon on the North Fork.
