Napa Valley: If you’re a wine lover and a travel lover, you’ve been there, done that…possibly many times over.
It’s time to move on.
Spread your wine wings and fly to somewhere you may never have been. Don’t worry, the wine will be excellent, the scenery beautiful, the food delicious and the people friendly.
And when you return, you’ll be able to turn your fellow wine-loving friends on to new regional American wines that will surely become their new favorites.
Charlottesville, Virginia
If you visit the wineries around charming Charlottesville, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson, who pioneered wine-making in the area and is quoted as saying, “We could, in the United States, make as great a variety of wines as are made in Europe, not exactly of the same kinds, but doubtless as good.”
His idea never quite took off during his lifetime, but there are now a whopping 30 wineries in the 25 miles around the city, and they’re collectively known as the Monticello Wine Trail. The area is a dream destination for both wine and history lovers as you can tour wineries as well as presidents’ homes and many other historical sites. And if you like your wine tours on the more laid back side, the Monticello Wine Trail is where you want to be – the wineries here are far less crowded than the likes of Napa and tasting fees are almost non-existent.
Walla Walla, Washington
Would you believe that Washington is the 2nd largest wine producer in the country? Yep, “the town so nice they named it twice” is a burgeoning American wine capital tucked into a remote and stunningly beautiful valley hours inland from both Seattle and Portland. Though getting there might be a little less convenient, you’ll be glad that its more than 100 artisanal wineries are not overrun by tourists.
It’s best to visit in the spring, when the weather is ideal and cool events are going on non-stop. The area is also big on hot air balloons and even hosts a festival in May for enthusiasts. Just imagine floating over the gorgeous vineyards and sipping on some local wines. And Walla Walla itself is brimming over with genuine small town charm, first-class restaurants and luxurious accommodations. It’s exactly the kind of wine vacation you want if you’re looking for something off the beaten track.
Western Michigan
Within just a couple hours of major cities like Chicago and Detroit is a beautiful and quaint region of Michigan that is a definite rising star in the wine world. The expansive Lake Michigan asserts its regulating lake effect on these vineyards, making them the perfect home for varieties like Riesling and Pinot Noir. Wine-loving travelers can find great wineries from St. Joseph on the southern end all the way up north to Traverse City, which has fans in big places. In fact, Mario Batali has a second home there and said in an interview with Fodors, “If you visit, you’ll understand there’s nothing that’s this close to scratching all those itches like Tuscany and Sonoma.”
There are so many picturesque towns that run up and down the Eastern side of the lake, and so many are home to boutique wineries and thriving art scenes that you’ll have to pick and choose. The region boasts a wealth of outdoor activities all year round, but beach lovers will definitely want to visit in the summer when the shores of enormous Lake Michigan feel almost like an ocean coast.
Finger Lakes, New York
Though not geographically far from the chaotic hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, upstate New York feels like it’s a world away from NYC. The area encompasses 9,000 square miles of scenic beauty, includes the 4 lakes referred to in the name (Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua Lakes), several charming small towns, and more than 100 wineries. So, it’s basically a wine-lovers dream – in fact, New York was just recently named Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
This is the perfect destination for fans of whites like Reisling and Gewurztraminer. The microclimate around the lakes makes make the area an ideal host for cool weather grapes. In recent years, they’ve also begun producing some cool-weather reds like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Noir. A booming industry has grown around the wineries, complete with gourmet dining, both quaint and luxurious accommodations and accessible tastings and tours.
Hill Country, Texas
You probably don’t associate Texas with fine wines, so it might surprise you to learn that central Texas’s Hill Country is home to some 42 wineries. Despite the area’s serious commitment to vino, you’ll still find the unique brand of Texas southern hospitality colored by that western cowboy charm. Take, for example, Wine & Swine, a uniquely Texas event in Austin, which celebrates the region’s pig roasting and its local wines.
The Texas summers are as hot as you’d expect them to be, so Hill Country excels in robust red varieties like Tempranillo and Syrah. You should aim to go in October, which is Texas wine month. And if you happen to get your fill of picturesque vineyards and delightful wineries, you can always land in Austin and check out its world-famous music and arts scene. This would be the perfect trip for those who like a mix of country and city.
