Going wine tasting is the perfect way to spend an afternoon and also a great excuse to plan a weekend getaway to some fabulous wine regions with a group of friends. Incorporating wine tasting into your vacations is an excellent way to sample wine from across the globe and learn more about different wines from a variety of regions. The United States is a fantastic region to start sampling wines in unique areas. While California may be the largest producer of wine in the United States, there are so many other amazing wine regions to visit. The following are some of the best wine regions in the United States and perfect for your next getaway.
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Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is one of the up-and-coming wine regions in the United States. Although there are only 60 wineries in New Mexico, Albuquerque has a growing wine scene. Some of the wine regions date back to the 1500s when the Spanish brought over European vines. In the 1970s, the wine scene was reborn into what it is today. Many of the present-day varietals use French varietal grapes. This wine region produces some delicious and unique wines and is mostly known for its Cabernet, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel wines.
When in Albuquerque, make sure to check out Casa Rodena. It is a really nice winery to go relax. They have a nice indoor tasting room but they also have gorgeous grounds you can explore with your wine. Outside are also many tables where you can bring your own lunch or buy a bottle of wine to share. Another favorite is D.H. Lescombes Winery. This winery has a very tasty Chenin Blanc and is best known for its Hatch Chile wines. They are the largest winery in New Mexico with 5 locations across the states. Overall, the wine scene in Albuquerque is low-key and makes for a great afternoon of fun!
Boise, Idaho
By Christina Grance of Live a Wilder Life
Idaho is the new kid on the block when it comes to the best wine regions in the United States. However, with Boise’s current status as the fastest growing city in the US, it’s only a matter of time until Idaho wine stamps itself out as the rising star in the Pacific Northwest wine scene. A moderate climate, high elevation, and low precipitation allow for a high quality growing season and a complex depth of flavor to the grapes. Idaho has over 50 wineries and produces the quintessential varieties including Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.
After having lived in Northern California, there’s something so exciting and refreshing about discovering a new under the radar wine region that doesn’t reek of elitism. Comparable to the wine industry in Oregon and Washington, Idaho offers approachable wine at an affordable price. If traveling to Boise, a favorite winery is Telaya Wine Co., located along the picturesque Boise River. Rent a bike and cycle along the 25-mile greenbelt before stopping in on this ambient winery where you can bring a picnic to enjoy on their outdoor patio. They are best known for their Snake River Valley Syrah-based red blend. If you’re strolling through downtown Boise, another great winery to try out is Coiled Wines.
Finger Lakes, New York
By Danielle Benjamin from Wanderlust on a Budget
The Finger Lakes region in central New York State is home to some of the best wineries in the United States. USA Today has ranked this region number one for the past two years. With hundreds of wineries surrounding several lakes, the Finger Lakes is a great destination for wine lovers.
Visitors to the region will find a wide variety of white wines, particularly rieslings. Fans of sweet wines will have several to choose from! Of course, there are wineries that specialize in different styles of wine. There are so many wineries to choose from, so it is best to do some research beforehand to know which wineries make wines that match your taste.
I am lucky enough to live only an hour away from the Finger Lakes region, and it is a regular destination for a weekend or day trip. My two favorite lakes are also the most popular. Seneca Lake has over one hundred wineries around it, plus some breweries and cideries as well. Cayuga Lake is home to the first official wine trail in the country. Both lakes offer events throughout the spring and fall highlighting different styles of wine and food pairings.
There is more to be found than wine in the Finger Lakes. The scenery is stunning, with lake views, waterfalls, and gorge trails. Watkins Glen, located at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls around. The Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is one the north end. If you’re a wine lover, a trip to the Finger Lakes is a must. You will quickly learn why it’s one of the best wine regions in the United States!
Fredericksburg, Texas
By Michelle Snell of That Texas Couple
When you think of the best wine regions in the United States, Texas might not be the first place that comes to mind. Well, what if I told you that Texas is the fifth-largest wine-producing region in the United States? It’s true, and the majority of those wineries are located in the charming German town of Fredericksburg, Texas.
You will find Fredericksburg about an hour and a half west of Austin, TX and about an hour north of San Antonio, TX. This little town is full of charm and busting at the seams with wineries. Most are located along Wine Road 290, really highway 290, and love welcoming visitors to come in and stay awhile. With over 100 wineries in this small area, it is easy to find one that you love.
The climate here lends itself well to grapes that produce a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon or a spicy Tempranillo. Making Texas a leading producer is these lovely wines.
Some of my favorite Fredericksburg, TX wineries include Fiesta Winery, Grape Creek Vineyards and Becker Vineyards. Fiesta Winery offers so many fun flavors of the wine that everyone can find something they will enjoy here, while Grape Creek Vineyards makes me feel like I have escaped to Tuscany. Becker Vineyards is the perfect place to unwind under a beautiful patio while sipping wine overlooking the lavender fields! No matter what kind of wine you like, Fredericksburg will have you covered and it is the perfect small Texas town to spend some time in!
Leesburg, Virginia
By Maggie McKneely from Pink Caddy Travelogue
When people think of great wine tasting destinations, Virginia doesn’t usually come to mind. But not only is the state the birthplace of the American wine industry, but it is also the tenth-largest wine-producing state in the nation! It’s a must-visit for all winos, despite being off-the-radar.
The state’s wine industry hasn’t always been so successful. Wine was supposed to be one of Virginia’s main exports in colonial days. When the settlers first came to Jamestown, each man was required to plant and tend at least 10 grapevines. But they could not get them to grow. The European varietals kept being destroyed by pests and disease.
You would not know that the state’s wine industry had such a rough start though. Today, there are well over 300 operating wineries. Northern Virginia’s Loudoun County has 58 of them, making it the top wine region in the state.
Because Northern Virginia has such a wide variety of soil types and weather, you can find an equally wide variety of wines made there. Classic French varietals (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet France, Merlot) are all very common. Almost every winery produces Viognier, Petit Manseng, and Syrah. Due to the state’s industry being relatively young, winemakers are free to experiment with more unusual grapes such as the German Gewurztraminer, the Georgian Rkatsiteli, and Portuguese Touriga Nacional.
There are so many incredible Northern Virginia wineries doing very interesting things, but if you only have time to visit a handful, make sure these are on your list: Tarara Winery (the area’s second oldest and most awarded, for good reason), Doukenie (if you love red blends, try the Zeus!), and Hillsborough (the best patio for porch-sipping in the county).
Lodi, California
By Jennifer P. (aka Dr. J) of Sidewalk Safari
While wine lovers around the world flock to Napa and Sonoma to visit crowded tasting rooms, I prefer off-the-beaten-path California wine country. Looking for an ambitious alternative wine-focused day trip? Take a drive from the San Francisco Bay Area to visit Lodi wineries. San Francisco to Lodi takes about 1.5 hours by car each way. Lodi is best known for Old Vine Zinfandel. Petite Sirah is another Lodi specialty that traces its origins to 19th century Montpellier in France but is now a big, bold, uniquely American red.
Stop at Mettler Family Vineyards and discover beautiful views that are great for photography lovers in addition to an elaborate tasting room. d’Art Winery is a fun and quirky option to visit. Picture rustic metal-working and art pieces, a lovable resident dog, and chocolate chips served with your wine tasting. Plan to visit Michael David Winery which is located in what appears to be an old-time general store. Michael David is a great stop for bold and well-priced bottles of California red blends to take home. You can also have a picnic on the lake out in the back.
I love Lodi because it’s not pretentious or fussy the way that Napa and Sonoma can be. Downtown Lodi is simply adorable. Do a little window shopping along what feels like an old-fashioned main street and grab lunch at Smack Pie Pizza. Finish the day at Langetwins Winery. Langetwins is on the commercial end of the spectrum but is worth a stop because the tasting room overlooks a pond that is popular with local birds in case you enjoy a little birdwatching with your wine as I do.
Napa, California
Napa Valley is one of the most well-known and best wine regions in the United States. Founded in 1850, the area contains over 500 wineries and is one of the top producing wine areas in the United States. There are over 46,000 acres of vineyards. Although California produces over 85% of the wine for the United States, only 4% of it comes from the Napa region. Wines in this region are tasty and have set a standard for other wines in California.
Napa Valley makes the most Cabernet Sauvignon wine but also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Melot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Zinfandel as well. Wine production in this area is rather unique and one of its greatest contributions to the wine world has been defining an American West Coast style, especially with its big and bold Napa Cabs. It has a Mediterranean-like climate that is perfect for growing grapes.
Silverado and Robert Sinskey are two of my favorite wineries in Napa Valley. Silverado is actually owned by the Disney family and has a ton of cool Disney memorabilia at the winery (along with great wines). What I love about Robert Sinskey is they also give you some light bites to eat with their amazing tasting wines. Another winery I like is Beringer. They offer multiple types of tours as well as tastings in their tasting room. I love the Beringer and their Quantum Red Blend is one of my favorites in the area.
Napa Valley is the perfect introduction to wine for people and is an easy hop from San Francisco. If you can only hit a few wine regions in the United States, make sure to stop in Napa.
Palisade, Colorado
By Oksana & Max from Drink Tea & Travel
During our Colorado road trip, we were happy to chance upon the Palisade wine region. Located en route from Grand Junction to Ouray, this scenic area of Colorado is known for its peach orchards and wine vineyards. There are over 100 wine producers in the region with lots of cellar doors opened to the public all year round.
The region is most well known for producing Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. They are showcased at the town’s annual wine festival which has been dubbed the Colorado Mountain Wine Festival. This event takes place each September during the grape harvest.
No matter what time of year you visit, we would suggest you stop by Garfield Estate. Their mission is to “produce world-class wines using 100% Colorado estate-grown grapes”. Their property is lovely, set on a historic farmstead, and you will be able to sample their homegrown wine in their onsite tasting room. Alternatively, Carlson Vineyards Winery & Tasting Room offers some great peach wine! They have also been known to serve cherry, plum, and other kinds of seasonal fruit wines.
However, what really struck us about Palisade was the friendly locals and the stunning setting. Palisade Colorado views tend to be just as good as wine.
Paso Robles, California
Paso Robles is one of my favorite wine regions in the United States. Not only does Paso produce delicious wine, but it is also way less expensive than Napa, and it has a charming little town as well! I often find myself turning to a Paso Robles wine when I do not know what wine to drink. The downtown area has a ton of great restaurants you will want after a long day of wine tasting. Paso started producing wine in 1886 and has continued to grow since then. Present-day there are over 200 wineries. The area has the perfect weather for growing a wide variety of grapes but the area is mostly known for its Zinfandels, Cabernet Sauvignons, and Rhone-style variations.
My ultimate favorite winery in Paso Robles is Sculpterra. This winery contains a large outdoor area with tons of unique sculptures (thus why it is called Sculpterra). Visitors are free to walk through the vineyards or bring a picnic lunch with them. Their Pinot Noir is one of my favorite Pinots I have ever had. I also really enjoyed Halter Ranch. This winery has a gorgeous tasting room and the staff was very friendly. It may sound crazy, but they produce an amazing Rose.
Santa Ynez Valley, California
By Gina Tarnacki from Evergreen & Salt
Santa Ynez Valley is one of the jewels of Central California’s Wine Country and one of the best wine regions in the United States. The vast region is located northeast of coastal Santa Barbara and encompasses the small cities of Buellton, Ballard, Los Alamos, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, and the Danish-inspired town of Solvang. You will also find an array of wine tasting rooms dotted all over the valley that is surrounded by gorgeous vineyards. It is my favorite place to go wine tasting both because of the incredible wine and the stark Central California beauty. I also love it because of all the world-class restaurants featuring farm-to-table cuisine and the extensive local wine list, that are in its midst!
If I am short on time, I love the convenience of the tasting rooms along the kitschy streets of Solvang, particularly the great vintages poured at the tasting room for Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards. For exquisite wine mixed with California beauty, though, I like to leave the cities behind and head further afield to tasting rooms nestled among their own vineyards, such as Fess Parker Winery and Firestone Vineyard in the countryside of Los Olivos.
When wine tasting in Santa Ynez Valley, you will find that there is a large assortment of types of wines to try that are highlighted on the tasting menus; however, the wine region’s claim to fame is its Pinot Noir. This Pinot Noir is heavier and a tad smokier than Pinots you will find farther north (such as in Oregon’s Willamette Valley). In addition to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay grows well in Santa Ynez Valley with crisp and bright fruit notes, perfect for enjoying on the patio and soaking in California’s sunshine.
Sedona (Verde Valley), Arizona
By Valentina from Valentina’s Destinations
Sedona is an up-and-coming wine region in the United States. It is also one of the most beautiful small towns you’ll ever find! Sedona is located at the heart of Red Rock Country, bordering the Coconino National Forest. It is one of the most romantic places because it is home to stunning landscapes, mystical energy, world-class spas, and plenty of fine dining opportunities.
Best of all, Sedona offers incredible wine opportunities. Just south of Sedona’s downtown, you’ll find three distinct wine regions. These include Valley Verde, Cottonwood, and Cornville. Each region has its own distinct personality.
Interestingly, winemaking in Arizona has its roots back in the 17th Century. At that time, Franciscan Missionaries harvested the first vineyards. Sedona is perfect for wine growing because of its mineral, volcanic soils, and desert-like temperatures. Jammy reds are best grown in Sedona. You will find Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet reds as well as Chardonnay whites. They are comparable to Napa wines, but are a fraction of the cost! We especially loved Alcantara Vineyards in Cottonwood because it was designed like a Spanish Villa. Page Springs Cellars in Cornville is known for its great live music and entertainment.
Sonoma, California
By Kelsey Frey from Sights Better Seen
Sonoma County sits right next to Napa (I like to think of it as Napa’s kid sister). It is home to popular wine towns like Sonoma, Healdsburg, and Geyserville. The wineries in Sonoma County are just as amazing as those in Napa, and often offer tastings or bottles for vastly cheaper prices. I personally love visiting this region of Northern California in the fall since it’s not so hot, is much less crowded, and the leaves on the vineyards are changing color.
Sonoma County is considered one of the most diverse wine regions in the world since its terrain is so variable. It is made up of valleys, coastline, mountains, and hilly woodlands. Because of this, the area produces many grape varieties due to the differing climates and soils. The most common include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon (the most widely planted), Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Zinfandel. Over 70% of Sonoma County’s agricultural products are wine grapes, with no shortage of tasting opportunities, either – there are 425 wineries in the region!
I loved Schug Carneros Estate Winery for its bright pink exterior and half-timbered, European style of architecture. Although small, it offered expansive vineyard views and fantastic wines! Francis Ford Coppola Winery has something for everyone: bocce ball, a pool, and plenty of beautiful grounds to explore! Foley Sonoma offers large windows with panoramic views of the Alexander Valley. Jordan Vineyard & Winery is a beautiful French-inspired chateau that houses one of the top Cabernet Sauvignon brands in California.
Temecula, California
By James Hills of Man Tripping
Temecula is one of California’s many amazing wine regions but has developed a fabulous and unique personality all to its own. It is also one of the top wine regions in Southern California with the fortune of being located about halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego. This makes it a perfect day-trip destination for millions of people as well as easy for those visiting the beaches in OC and San Diego who want to explore some wineries too.
The Temecula Valley region has been producing wine since the 1700s but only gained official AVA status in 1984. It now features more than 40 licensed wineries. However, the exciting growth in recent years is what makes me love this area. It has transformed from producing “good” popular wine varietals competing with better-known parts of the country to a region that now embraces its own unique strengths.
Instead of chasing Pinot Noir, you have fabulous Italian, Spanish, and French grapes and Mediterranean Varietals that thrive well here alongside olive trees. This includes Zinfandel, Syrah, and Sangiovese as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Chardonnay.
Some of our favorite wineries include Doffo Winery because they make great Argentine wines as well as having a fantastic Italian motorcycle museum, Callaway Winery for their wide variety of wines available at their tasting room, and Hart Winery for producing fantastic wines but still maintaining the smaller intimate experience that is sometimes difficult to find when wine regions become as popular as Temecula has become in recent years.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
The Willamette Valley is so much more than just the end of the Oregon Trail. Present-day, the Willamette Valley contains over 600 wineries and is a very easy day trip from Portland. The Willamette Valley is best known for its Pinot Noir, but it also produces a lot of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. One unique thing about the Willamette Valley is the popularity in organic and biodynamic wines. The result of this ultra-natural winemaking process are wines that are high quality and expressive of the vineyard.
Two wineries carrying on the biodynamic winemaking tradition in the Willamette Valley are Montinore Estate and Brick House Wines. Montinore Estates produces its fair share of beautiful Pinot Noir but also creates an identity of its own with several Italian varietals and a skin contact Pinot Gris aged in custom-made terra cotta amphoras. Montinore has a large tasting room and room outside for picnics.
Brick House Wines is a true gem where picking a few things to be especially good at pays off. They produce excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and a fantastic Gamay. It has a small tasting room (literally a four-person table in a horse barn turned world-class winery) so visits are by appointment only. It is well worth the trip and what makes the Willamette Valley one of the best wine regions in the United States.
The Best Wine Regions in the United States
As you can see there are a ton of wine regions in the United States. Other awesome wine areas include Washington State, especially in the Columbia Valley around Seattle, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Missouri, which produces German-style wines. The United States is the fourth largest wine producer in the world, so there is a ton of awesome areas! While you are at it, the United States has some pretty awesome states to explore. What are some of the best wine regions in the United States you have visited?
Traveling the World?
Check out these other wine regions around the world!
- Best wine regions in New Zealand
- Best wine regions in Canada
- Best wine regions in Australia
- Best wine regions in France
- Best wine regions in Spain
- Best wine regions in Africa
24 thoughts on “14 of the Best Wine Regions in the United States”
Great post. I would love to visit all these wine regions one day. Paso Robles, California looked absolutely stunning!
Paso is amazing! I now have a few more to add to my list thanks to this!
How fun! The only one I’ve been to is Temecula. Next on my list is Paso Robles. My boss goes there yearly and comes home with cases of wine!
Oh I LOVE Paso much more then Temecula even though I’m closer to Temecula! Haha
Was really surprised to see Boise, Idaho on here! I had no idea! Also, in Arizona, be sure to check out Senoita, their “wine country”!
This is so informative! Love it and even more so because I love wine. I’m from Australia but now living in Mexico so now I’m only a short flight away, I’ll definitely be going to some of these x
I hope you can visit some of them once it is safe to travel again.
I’m so glad I came across this article – I just moved somewhat close to Leesburg VA and had no clue there was good wine there! Game changer!
So fun! Hope you get to go soon!
I wish i could taste those drinks but im still breastfeeding.. Thanks for sharing this. Hopefully we could all travel safely very soon. Stay safe!
Columbia River Valley, Walla Walla…you missed a couple! But a great list for sure. I’m more a fan of European wines, but the Willamette in OR is one of my favorite wine regions in the US. Glad it made your list.
Oh there is so many more areas. The US has a ton!
Love this list! Saving it for when I visited the USA.
Hope you can visit soon!
wow, what a grand wine tour!
I think the biggest advantage of the winery/wine culture in US is diversity! Even by looking at those winery’s photos, I’ve noticed a huge difference in the winery-style, which potentially means a difference in wine-making and finally the wine itself! Lovely.
It’s so true! It’s nice to travel to different regions that produce such different wines.
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I’m all over California wine country, but there are so many more terrific wine times to be had. I see you, Boise!
Right!? Now I’m so interested in Boise.
Interesting so many of these are on (or near) the west coast. I’ve not thought much about doing a weekend wine trip, but it’s sounding necessary after reading!
Such a good list. I will save for when I visit the USA in the future.
Wow I didn’t even know the US had so many wine regions! Definitely saving this for when I’m back home stateside.
I’m from Slovenia so we have some wineries there, but nothing compared to the US! What an amazing selection – definitely want to visit one of them – California is always a good idea hehe!