The Five Best Places for Wine Travel in the United States

Written By Stef Caldwell

We’ve traveled near and far sniffing (literally) out the best wines in the United States. It was all too challenging boiling it down to our top five spots + stays, but, alas in the end, these locals won out over all others. 

The list below is our own eclectic mix of obsessions throughout the US wine country. We hope that if you travel to any of the regions, wineries or stays you’ll tell us what you loved!  

Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley, California

No wine travel list in the United States is complete without the recognition of California as one of the best places in the world to find wines you love as Napa Valley is the largest wine region in America and home to more highly rated wines than anywhere else.

Sonoma County is a stones throw away so we’re including both in this list – Sonoma is Napa’s more ‘chill’ twin sister nestled closer to the pacific ocean and known for lesser crowds and more scenic views. If you are sunset lovers and wine lovers like we are, this is the place to be. One of the most charming things about Sonoma is knowing that someone you meet on the vineyard or in the winery during your explorations is most likely the winemaker themselves or one of their family members whose stayed around to support the family’s business. 

Although several grape varieties are grown here, the region is renowned for California’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon.

Harbor Country, Michigan

We might be partial but if you simply set foot on the shores of Lake Michigan during the summer months, you’ll understand why this is one of our favorite places in the world.  But the location and the lake offers more than just beauty to the region – the location rides along the 45th parallel the exact halfway point between the equator and the North Pole and shares the parallel with notable wine regions such as France’s Burgundy and Bordeaux and Italy’s Piedmont; and the lake tempers the air along shoreline regions, protecting fall crops from harsh, early frosts, and preventing spring crops from blooming too early. Lake effect snow is important too, as it insulates vines from extremely cold temperatures. 

And while we don’t necessarily recommend a trip to the region during the cold midwestern winter, we can’t recommend it enough to friends, family and couples who want to escape to sweeping landscapes, sunsets that make Santorini jealous and wine that is on par with some of the most renowned European regions.

Finger Lakes Region, New York

If you’ve ever traveled to the Finger Lakes in New York, you’d recall it for its cliffs, gorges, waterfalls and otherwise stunning nature. The area is more rural than most wine regions we’ve visited, but to us, that’s part of the charm. A day of wine tasting around Cayuga Lake will connect you back to and remind you of the simplicities of a good life – friends, family, great food, great wine. 

In this region you escape from the busy city sounds of New York City or Rochester (depending on how far you want to drive) and find yourself among vines, kind people and soft quiet that allows you to fully relax into the scenic region. 

The Finger Lakes region is known for both red and whites. Some of our favorite whites from the region are Riesling and Gewurztraminer; the famed reds include Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.

Charlottesville and Leesburg, Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia. Regarded as “the birthplace of American wine,”  former US president Thomas Jefferson planted the first grapes while in office and there are now around 300 wineries in the region – we’re excited by all the energy around wine in this region, it’s bustling! From just six pioneers in the 1970s to now more than 300 wineries, ten regions and eight AVAs, Virginia is staking its claim on American wine culture.

If you are going to this region, you cannot miss the famed American wine born in this region – Norton, which was known for its award-winning wines throughout the 19th century but won “best red wine of all nations” at the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair.

While we love the historic roots of Norton, we also love the modern wines coming out of Virginia that are often overlooked in Old World wines – the region is known for fabulous Viogniers and Cabernet Francs which thrive in Virginia’s vineyards. 

Part of the charm of this region is the innovation, each year we hear about more winemakers entering the region and experimenting with new varieties – Petit Manseng, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Vermentino to name just a few.

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Willamette Valley, Oregon shares the same latitude as Bordeaux in France (and our Vineyard in Michigan). If you’ve craved a delightful red and gone to a restaurant some time over the last decade, chances are your waiter or waitress has recommended an Oregon Pinot Noir, the favored wine coming out of Willamette Valley. 

To us, there’s so much more to love about the wine and the energy in the region than just the Pinot Noir – while the valley only became an official AVA in the 80s, today it’s one of the premiere wine regions in the world, known for its cool-climate-whites like Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. 

And what is wine without an ambiance and laughter to share it with? The rolling hills and hazelnut tree orchards are just outside of quirky Portland, influencing the culture of the people in the region and making day trips between the valley and the city a delightful addition to any true Willamette Valley visit itinerary.

Join us for an Upcoming Trip!

Each year we travel with an intimate group of wine lovers to various wine regions around the United States and abroad. Subscribe below to let us know you’re interested in wine travel updates and you’ll be the first to know when we announce our location of the year!

We can’t wait to travel with you and share in our love for wine together! 

Stef Caldwell
Previous

Curated Travel Experiences for Wine Lovers
Next

New Buffalo’s Favorite Harvest Party