12 of the Best Wine Road Trips in the U.S.

On Posted on by Tina Deines to Agritourism, Farm
best wine road trips in the U.S.
Photo credit: iStock/A-Tom

When you think about America’s best wine road trips, Napa Valley probably comes to mind first. And for good reason — the California region has more than 400 wineries to choose from. But chances are, you don’t have to wander too far from home to indulge in some of the best wines the country has to offer. From Georgia to Vermont, Kansas to Washington, here are some of the best U.S. wine trails to explore.

1. Virginia’s Artisanal Wineries of Rappahannock Wine Trail

They say Virginia is for lovers, but did you know it’s also for wine lovers? The Commonwealth boasts more than 300 wineries and dozens of wine trails. One of the state’s best wine road trips is the Artisanal Wineries of Rappahannock, which features artisanal, family-run establishments like Chester Gap Cellars and Sharp Rock Vineyards. This wine trail is conveniently located just an hour away from the D.C. beltway, but it seems worlds away from the hustle and bustle of our nation’s capital.

See more: Virginia Wine Industry Gets Better With Age

2. Texas Hill Country Wineries

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and wine road trips are no exception. The Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area covers 9 million acres and is home to more than 100 wineries. Sixty of these belong to Texas Hill Country Wineries, which offers a map on its website. One option is to travel on U.S. 290 from Austin west to Fredericksburg, a 78-mile route that touts dozens of options like Texas Heritage Vineyard, Messina Hof Hill Country Winery, Meierstone Vineyards and Lewis Wines.

3. Kansas’ Kaw Valley Wine Trail

Fun fact: Kansas endured the longest statewide prohibition, which lasted from 1881 to 1948. But the era of alcohol intolerance is long gone, and now the Sunflower State boasts a few formidable wine road trips. One of them, the Kaw Valley Wine Trail, features 16 establishments that wind through northeast Kansas. Stops in Lawrence, Kansas City and surrounding suburbs, and Lecompton (population 592) offer wine enthusiasts the perfect mix of small-town Midwest charm, suburban flair and city hubbub.

See more: 6 Agritourism Destinations to Visit in Kansas

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Zion Vineyards (@zionvineyards)

4. Utah Wine Trail

Utah may seem like another unlikely spot for wine road trips, but winemaking is on the rise in The Beehive State, and the Utah Wine Trail features five wineries in southwest Utah, including Zion Vineyards, which is about 20 minutes south of Zion National Park. Calling themselves “Utah’s Best Kept Secret,” Zion Vineyards claims to sit at the perfect elevation and longitude to produce succulent grapes for winemaking.

5. Rhode Island’s Vineyard and Winery Trail 

Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it packs a punch when it comes to wine road trips. The Rhode Island Vineyard and Winery Trail includes stops across the 48-mile-long state. These include Mulberry Vineyards, located on the Andrew Brown homestead (1730) in historic Chepachet, and Verde Vineyards, which overlooks Moswansicut Lake.

6. Missouri’s Lake of the Ozark Wine Trail

Missouri has a rich history of winemaking, producing more wine by volume in the mid-1800s than any other state. Today, the tradition continues on the Lake of the Ozarks Wine Trail, which features six wineries near Lake of the Ozark State Park in central Missouri. These include the Shawnee Bluff Winery, which offers sweeping views of the Lake of the Ozarks (along with brick-oven pizza).

7. Washington Wine Tour of the Olympic Peninsula

Washington is the second-leading wine producing state in the country, with more than 1,050 wineries, so it’s no surprise that it offers a ton of options for wine road trips. The state has eight distinct wine touring regions, from Seattle to Spokane. The Washington Wine Tour of the Olympic Peninsula features a handful of wineries that hug Highway 101. The route starts with a scenic ferry ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island or from Edmonds to Kingston. While you’re there, you can also check out the magic of Olympic National Park.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Open Georgia Wine (@opengeorgiawine)

8. North Georgia Wine Highway 

Georgia may be known for its peaches, but it also boasts more than 120 wineries. The Georgia Wine Highway in the northern part of the state features dozens of stops, including Chateau Meichtry Family Vineyard and Winery, situated in the scenic foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Stoney J’s in Forsyth County also touts itself as family friendly — it’s also a working farm with chickens, an alpaca, ponies, goats and a pig.

9. Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail

Michigan has several wine trails to choose from, including the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, located in the southwest corner of the state. Prepare for some spectacular views — 15 wineries and four tasting rooms comprise this route, which flanks the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 12 Corners Vineyards, this region is perfect for growing wine grapes because the lake effect creates a slightly warmer microclimate.

See more: Commitment to Michigan Fruit Remains at the Heart of Century-Old St. Julian Winery & Distillery

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by New Mexico Wine (@new.mexico.wine)

1o. New Mexico Wine Trail

This former Spanish territory has a long history with vino. In the 1600s, Spanish settlers brought winemaking to New Mexico, converting the area into what would become the nation’s first wine country. Today, the New Mexico Wine Trail features 40 wineries spread out across The Land of Enchantment. About 24 are close to either Albuquerque or Santa Fe, making either city the perfect starting place for your road trip.

11. North Dakota’s Red River Wine Trek

With its wide-open landscapes and sparse population, North Dakota might not seem like a wine-lovers destination. But don’t sleep on this Great Plains state — the Red River Wine Trek features a handful of wineries in the Fargo area, many of which incorporate locally grown ingredients like honey and fruit (just in case you have a hankering to try some honey wine). Get your wine passport stamped at each location to receive a free gift at the Fargo-Moorhead Visitor’s Center. 

12. Vermont’s Lake Champlain Coast Wine Trail

Last but not least on our list of best wine trails in the U.S. is Vermont’s Lake Champlain Coast Wine Trail, part of the larger International Champlain Valley Wine Trail that includes stops in Vermont, New York and Québec. This trail offers travelers the best of Vermont’s winemaking scene, including ice wines (made from grapes that freeze on the vines), known for their sweet, powerful fruit flavors.

Tags

Join The Conversation

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *