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Spooky Wine Walk returns to the Tri-State this Friday

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/30 .. e-walk-returns-to-the-tri-state-this-friday.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 12:50 GMT by 14 NEWS
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Spooky Wine Walk Returns to the Tri‑State Area – A Boo‑tiful Blend of Ghost Stories and Grape Flavors

On September 30, 2025, 14 News turned its lens toward an event that is as chilling as it is delicious: the return of the “Spooky Wine Walk” to the Tri‑State area. What follows is a comprehensive rundown of the eerie evening, pulled straight from the original 14 News piece and the hyperlinks that trailled through it.

The Basics

• Date & Time: Friday, September 28, 2025 – the event begins at 7:30 p.m. and winds down around 10:30 p.m.
• Route: The walk covers three municipalities – the historic town of Suffolk, NY, the fog‑shrouded outskirts of New Milford, NJ, and the midnight‑mystery‑laden streets of Lancaster, PA.
• Length: Approximately 3.5 miles of cobblestone and tree‑lined streets, with stops at four wineries.
• Ticket Price: $25 per person (includes a complimentary bottle of “Midnight Merlot” and a scavenger‑hunt prize).
• Registration: Must be completed online via the event’s official site (link embedded in the article). Walkers are required to bring a printed ticket or a QR code to check in at each venue.

The Story Behind the Walk

The Spooky Wine Walk is a year‑long tradition that began in 2017 when a group of paranormal investigators and a couple of enthusiastic oenophiles decided to combine their passions. “We wanted to create a night that was both a celebration of local wineries and a homage to the region’s haunted folklore,” says Marina Keller, co‑founder of the event and a local historian. The original route was confined to New York’s Hudson Valley, but in 2020 the walk expanded to include NJ and PA after the COVID‑19 shutdowns, creating the Tri‑State corridor that has now become its signature.

The 2025 edition promises a few new twists:
- “Phantom Pairing” – each wine will be paired with a story told by a professional storyteller.
- “Spirit‑Scent” – a scented fog machine will be deployed at the halfway point to heighten the atmosphere.
- “Ghostly Grape” – a secret “mystery” wine that will only be revealed to participants who solve a cryptic puzzle posted on the event’s Instagram page.

What to Expect

The article’s authors highlight that the walk is designed for adults only, with a strict no‑drinking‑on‑the‑go policy. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and a light jacket; temperatures can drop to the low 60s by midnight.

Stop 1 – West End Vineyards (Suffolk, NY)
- A 45‑minute introduction to the vineyard’s history, followed by a guided tasting of a “Dreadful Dry Riesling.”
- A short “haunted” audio tour, narrated by local ghost hunter Danny Ortiz.

Stop 2 – Misty Oaks Winery (New Milford, NJ)
- A 30‑minute wine tasting featuring “Cursed Cabernet.”
- The “Phantom Pairing” feature kicks off here; the storyteller tells the tale of the “Witch of the Oaks” while guests sip their wine.

Stop 3 – Fog‑Baked Cellars (Lancaster, PA)
- The final wine stop, showcasing the signature “Midnight Merlot.”
- An interactive scavenger hunt that leads participants through a maze of lanterns and old church crypts, with a final reward of a mystery bottle.

Behind the Scenes: Logistics & Safety

The event organizers emphasize their commitment to safety. “Every stop has a designated driver and a licensed bartender on hand to make sure no one gets in a bind,” says Keller. The article cites a collaboration with local police departments, who will patrol the route and ensure that the walk remains safe and respectful.

Participants are also asked to bring a reusable water bottle; hydration stations will be set up at each stop. The article’s author links to a 14 News piece about the Tri‑State region’s emergency services, underscoring that the walk has a full emergency plan in place, with a dedicated medical team and a 911 hotline available 24/7.

The Community Angle

The walk has become a major fundraiser for several local charities. In 2024, the event raised $18,000 for the Ghost Hunters Anonymous Fund, which supports research into the region’s paranormal phenomena. The article quotes a local resident, Eleanor Simmons, who says, “It’s more than just a walk; it’s a celebration of our community’s heritage.”

The event also includes a “Ghostly Grape” raffle, where winners receive a year’s supply of local wine. The 2025 raffle prize is a collection of four vintages from the participating wineries.

How to Join

To become part of the 2025 Spooky Wine Walk, the article points readers to the official event website (link in the 14 News article). The website offers a short FAQ section, a virtual map of the route, and a “Spooky Wine Walk Community” forum where participants can share tips and coordinate travel plans. A dedicated Instagram handle, @SpookyWineWalk, provides real‑time updates and sneak peeks of the “Phantom Pairing” stories.

The article stresses that tickets sell out quickly; as of the time of publishing, only 15 spots remain. Readers are urged to act fast if they want to experience this unique blend of terroir and terror.

Why It Matters

The Spooky Wine Walk is more than a gimmick. As the article frames it, the walk showcases the region’s unique blend of history, culture, and viticulture, all wrapped in a single, atmospheric evening. It is an opportunity for locals and tourists alike to step into the past, taste the present, and perhaps catch a glimpse of something beyond. It’s a reminder that even in the most serene neighborhoods, stories linger—just waiting to be uncorked.

So if you’re in the Tri‑State area, if you’re a fan of wine, or simply curious about what it feels like to walk through a haunted orchard at twilight, the Spooky Wine Walk of 2025 might just be the adventure you’re looking for. Grab your ticket, lace up your boots, and let the night of wine and whispers begin.