Calling all wine lovers! National Wine Day is on May 25th. To celebrate, we’re taking you on a tour of eight unique wine regions home to some of the most breathtaking wineries in the US. These wine regions offer something for every palate and preference. Enjoy an aromatic riesling in the New York Finger Lakes, sip on world class pinot noir among the emerald pines in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, or toast with a smooth cabernet franc while overlooking the Colorado Rockies. Whether you consider yourself a budding sommelier or are new to the wonderful world of wine, you can’t go wrong with a trip to one of these incredible wine destinations. We’ll cheers to that!
1. Finger Lakes Wine Region – New York
The Finger Lakes wine region is home to more than 130 wineries, many of which are located along Cayuga and Seneca lake. This serene waterfront backdrop is perfect for sipping on a smooth glass of wine. Because of the cooler climate, this area is best known for crisp white varieties, like rieslings and chardonnay.
Our Picks:
- Fox Run Vineyards — Penn Yan, New York
- Hermann J Wiemer Vineyards — Dundee, New York
- Six Mile Creek Vineyard — Ithaca, New York
2. Paso Robles — California
Paso Robles is nearly the same size as Napa Valley. There are over 200 wineries and tasting rooms in the region, and the climate is ideal for producing bold reds, like cabernet sauvignon and syrah. This area is no stranger to wine, and you can find dozens more vineyards nearby in Edna Valley and Santa Barbara.
Our Picks:
- Justin Vineyards & Winery — Paso Robles, California
- Bella Luna Estate Winery — Templeton, California
- Cass Winery — Paso Robles, California
3. Willamette Valley – Oregon
Willamette Valley is an expansive wine region where more than 700 wineries call it home. It is recognized as one of the top producing pinot noir areas in the world. More than 100 miles long, you’ll find more than just wineries in this popular vacation destination. The Willamette Valley is also known to have multiple high end hotels, boutique inns, and fine dining.
Our Picks:
- Rex Hill Vineyards – Winery — Newberg, Oregon
- Dobbes Family Winery — Dundee, Oregon
- Argyle Winery — Dundee, Oregon
4. The Long Island North Fork — New York
Located just 90 miles outside of New York City, the North Fork (or NOFO, as it’s adoringly called by locals) features more than 60 vineyards. Come for the wine and stay for the quaint B&Bs, farm stands, and iconic beaches.
Our Picks:
- Suhru Wines — Cutchogue, New York
- McCall Wines — Cutchogue, New York
- Sannino Vineyard — Cutchogue, New York
5. Loudoun Wine Trail — Virginia
Head 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and you’ll find Loudoun County — home to more than 50 wineries. Sip on delicious wine while taking in stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rich soil and fertile farms help produce top notch wines, like cab franc, merlot and petit verdot.
Our Picks:
- Stone Tower Winery – Leesburg, Virginia
- Fleetwood Farm Winery — Leesburg, Virginia
- Creek’s Edge Winery — Lovettsville, Virginia
6. Snake River Valley — Idaho
The Snake River Valley is a relatively new wine destination — it officially became an AVA in 2007. Because the valley lies on the same latitude as the Rhône, you can find a variety of French wines, like grenache, syrah, mourvèdre, and cinsault. Don’t miss out on the Sunnyslope Wine Trail that has over a dozen wineries.
Our Picks:
- Telaya Wine — Garden City, Idaho
- Split Rail Winery — Garden City, Idaho
- 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards — Eagle, Idaho
7. Grand Valley — Colorado
Colorado isn’t only known for its skiing and hiking. You can also find a plethora of wineries in the Grand Valley region — 30 to be exact! Sunny days and cool nights are ideal for growing high elevation varieties like viognier, riesling, and merlot. Rent a bike and cruise down the Palisade Fruit and Wine Byway for the ultimate tasting experience.
Our Picks:
- Carlson Vineyards — Palisade, Colorado
- Colterris Winery — Palisade, Colorado
- Maison La Belle Vie Winery — Palisade, Colorado
8. Temecula Valley — California
Known as Southern California’s premiere wine region for good reason, there are nearly 50 wineries in the Temecula Valley. Cool ocean breezes mixed with warm daytime sun makes this a diverse growing region, and you can find everything from cool climate chardonnay to warm weather syrah. Many of the vineyards are expansive properties with pools and fine dining onsite, making this an ideal vacation destination.
Our Picks:
- Lorenzi Estate Vineyards & Winery — Temecula, California
- Lorimar Winery — Temecula, California
- Akash Winery & Vineyards — Temecula, California