We don’t need to talk about Napa’s greatness. It’s obviously the country’s most popular wine destination for a reason. But Napa has grown more expensive over the years. And its popularity means it's also ultra-crowded, especially in high season (late May through October), and more and more the place has an adult theme park vibe that feels less about wine and more about bachelorette parties and slamming bottles of Chardonnay.
Of course, there are exceptions. But if you want to avoid $40 pours and shoulder-to-shoulder tasting rooms, the U.S. has other wine regions producing some world-class bottles in landscapes just as beautiful, and at a fraction of the cost and crowds. Genuinely worth visiting, we think these give are some the best wine country destinations in the U.S.
Fredericksburg, Texas (Texas Hill Country)
The Texas Hill Country AVA may be young (1991), but its over 100 wineries have quickly made the place one of the most visited wine regions in the U.S. If you’re not familiar, the Hill Country is west of Austin but north of San Antonio. And the town of Fredericksburg, with its unique German heritage, has become the heart of this wine region. It sits about 80 miles from Austin along Highway 290 (this particular stretch of towns along 290 is now called Texas Wine Road) and for decades was nothing more than a destination for city folks seeking a good home-cooked meal, a little antique shopping, and a quiet outdoor escape.
Today the region has become a reputable wine destination, welcoming about one million visitors a year. Despite the new fame, Fredericksburg still maintains its Texas charm. Expect sprawling patios and wooden rocking chairs, live country music at wineries and restaurants, farm-to-table dining, and southern hospitality without the fanfare.
What to Drink
Tempranillo and Tannat are the star reds, though you’ll also find winemakers experimenting with Sangiovese and Mourvèdre. For whites, Viognier is the star for some of the best whites, along with Albariño and Vermentino.
When to Go
Wineries are open all-year-round. So long as you avoid the sweltering Texas summers, you’ll be able to take advantage of the lively patios and outdoor spaces, mild winters included. Though spring is our personal favorite time for catching bluebonnets (the Texas state flower) in full bloom.
Where to Stay
Where you stay depends on what you want out of the vacation. Downtown and Main Street Fredericksburg are better for walkability to restaurants, shopping, and tasting rooms. If you’re traveling in a group, this is a solid option so everyone has flexibility to do what they want and you have easier access to nightlife. If you’re imagining more of a quiet, front porch coffee vibe with vineyard views, vacation rentals outside of town have a more romantic-weekend-away feeling.
What to Do When the Wine’s Gone Dry
Hike to the top of the pink granite dome at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for birding, stargazing, and rock climbing. Float the Pedenales River when the weather is right. Try a little line dancing in the nearby town of Luckenbach. Or stay close in and shop antiques at Carol Hicks Bolton.
Best For
Couples, groups, Texans looking for weekend trips, antique lovers, and anyone who thinks wine country requires a flight to California.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Sandwiched between Portland and Eugene and bordered by the Cascade Mountains and Coast Range, the Willamette Valley is a wildly underrated region encompassing over 700 wineries. The scenery is especially noteworthy; the verdant landscapes with Mount Hood towering constantly in the backdrop could make any wine taste good. But luckily, bottles coming out of the Willamette Valley are very much drinkable (okay, they’re award-winning) anywhere. The fog and chilly temps come with difficult growing conditions but growers and winemakers here are an especially dedicated bunch, willing to tweak and find solutions to create exceptional wines.
The vibe in Willamette is very Oregon. And by that, we mean relaxed and more rustic than Napa or Sonoma. Wineries and the people who work in them are down-to-earth. Even the most high-end tasting rooms feel approachable.
What to Drink
Pinot Noir is king by a longshot. Almost three-fourths of all grapes grown here are Pinot Noir. But with such an expansive space (about 150 miles long and 60 miles wide) and slight temperature changes within sub-regions, Pinot Noirs vary drastically depending on where you’re drinking them. Common white varieties include Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling. But also look out for winemakers working with Pinot Blanc, Aligoté, Melon de Bourgogne, and Trousseau.
When to Go
Summer is about long days, perfect weather, and food festivals. Or try fall if you want to experience harvest (around October), see the vines at their fullest, and get that autumnal scenery. It’s pretty spectacular.
Where to Stay
Newberg is technically the gateway to the valley but you’ll also be able to find vacation properties here. McMinnville is the ideal base camp and the most common place to stay, with access to a great farm-to-table food scene and wineries (and it’s still way quiter than anything in Napa). Carlton is more of the modern culinary capital with award-winning dining and vineyards just outside of town. Check out Dundee and Dayton’s wineries and dining options as well. When it comes to Willamette Valley vacation rentals, expect anything from rustic cabins to riverside hideaways and luxurious vineyard cottages. You can post up in Portland and take a day trip or two to wine country.
What to Do When the Wine’s Gone Dry
Hike to the Trail of Ten Falls in Silver Falls State Park to catch ten different waterfalls sightings. Float the Willamette River. Visit the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Check out festivals like the International Pinot Noir Celebration in July or the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival for a hot air balloon ride over the tulip fields.
Best For
More serious wine travelers, Pinot lovers, couples, West Coast residents tired of California wine country, people who really care about quality over appearance (they know flannel shirts and Goretex boots don’t negate drinkable elegance), and anyone who wants the full pastoral experience without the crowds.
Finger Lakes, New York
About a five hour drive northwest of New York City, the Finger Lakes is the East Coast’s answer to wine country. These eleven narrow lakes insulate the vineyards from harsh New York winters and frosts, while also cooling them off during the summer. This wine country’s inception was more about bachelorette parties and wine slushies, but today the dramatic lake scenery sets the backdrop for the majority of the states wine production, producing refreshing cool-climate wines, dining options, outdoor adventure, and slow-paced waterside living.
What to Drink
Dry Riesling is the Finger Lakes speciality, though you can also find some sweet styles too. Then it’s unoaked style Chardonnays, as well as Cabernet Franc and sparklings like Champagne styles and sparkling Riseling.
When to Go
June through August is high season, with long sunny lake days and waterfall hikes, but also fuller tating rooms. Locals are more partial to September and October for the harvest season’s colorful foliage and crisp air. Just be cautious about traveling in the winter, as many wineries close for the season.
Where to Stay
The Finger Lakes boasts a strong lakehouse rental inventory, especially around the town of Hammondsport (south end of Keuka Lake) and Watkins Glen around the Seneca Lake area. Both of these spots are excellent bases for exploring the region. Seneca is going to be more winery dense, whereas Keuka is is a bit quieter. Cayuga Lake is a good area to check out if food is also part of your mission; the community flexes a strong accompanying farm culture. Ithaca, the largest city in the Finger Lakes, also works well: it’s casual, cozy, the closest to the city, and also gives you easy access to outdoor trails.
What to Do When the Wine’s Gone Dry
These multi-use trails around Ithaca (and other parts of the Finger Lakes) are especially known for their towering waterfalls and gorges. In Taughannock Falls State Park, for example, you can hike to the 215-foot falls and take a dip in Cayuga Lake. But really it’s all about lake activities: sail, swim, kayak paddlehoard, or take a boat tour. For arts and culture, visit the Corning Musuem of Glass, or catch a show at the Smith Opera House’s historical theater.
Best For
Northeast travelers, couples, anyone who wants a wine, kayaking, farmhouse porch vacation combo.
Santa Barbara County, California
If Sonoma is Napa’s sister, Santa Barbara County is it’s more relaxed, kind of sideways cousin (The wine movie “Sideways” was filmed here). Santa Barbara Country is less expensive and less crowded than Napa, and warmer and sunnier than Oregon. Wine country here sits between two transverse mountain ranges, which create a smattering of unique microclilmates and terrain, making it one of the coolest grape growing regions in the state.
What to Drink
Pinoit Noir and Chardonnay make up the majority of vineyards, but Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc are also prominent.
When to Go
With mild tempeartures, this region works all year round. To avoid crowds, avoid summer. But otherwise, spring is all about budding vineyards, fall has that harvest season energy, and winter is cozy and quiet.
Where to Stay
Santa Ynez Valley is the largest AVA in the region and your best base for winery hopping. Check out the Danish town of Solvang for a lively feel that’s also great for groups and exploring multiple towns. Los Olivos is the dream for for laid-back Cali front porch culture and tastining rooms within walking distance. If you want more coastal vibes, you can also look for vacation rentals in Santa Barabra proper and make the 45-minute drive into the valley. Expect Mediterranean-style villas, cute little guest cottages, and vineyard estate homes.
What to Do When the Wine’s Gone Dry
Visit Santa Barbara proper for coastal activities and Michelin restaurants. Take the easy hike up to Nojoqui Falls. Go olive oil tasting at the Global Gardens farm stand. Take a hot air balloon ride over the valley.
Best For
LA-based travelers, sunshine lovers, anyone who wants wine tasting plus beach in one trip.
Traverse City, Michigan
The Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas frame the stretch of Traverse City wine country, an underdog wine region with over 50 wineries that certainly deserves its place on the map. While the 100+ inches of snowfall seem like unlikely conditions for grapes, Lake Michigan and Traverse Bay are the secret to keeping off frost and allowing grapes to get to their ripening stage.
What to Drink
Riseling shows off its diversity with unique soil and lakeside proximity, Chardonnay takes on a more mineral profile (no buttery styles here), and Pinot Noir (the state’s leader) is complex and sophisticated.
When to Go
May through October is your best bet for vineyard experiences. But fall is the showstopper in Traverse City, with brillilant autumnal colors and the excitement of harvest season.
Where to Stay
To stay closer to downtown, Old Mission Peninusla’s rolling hills are host to ten different wineries and stunning views. Stays on Leelanau Peninsula put you close to its 20+ wineries and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakshore.
What to Do When the Wine’s Gone Dry
Visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for hikes, bike rides, beaches, and lake views. Take a sailboat ride on the lake. Golf at courses designed by Jack Nichlaus and Arnold Palmer. Fish for Smallmouth Bass, King and Coho Salmon, or Steelhead Trout.
Best For
Midwest travelers, families who want wine plus outdoor adventure, anyone who wants to feel like they’ve discovered a hidden gem.
How to Snag the Right Vacation Rental for Wine Country
Some unsolicited tips (...or were you asking?) on how to make sure you’ve got the right wine country vacation rental for your trip.
Determine your Mode of transportation
If you want the perk of walking to all your tastings or taking short drives to vineyards, book a place in town, whether its Main Street Fredricksburg Old Mission Peninsula. If you want to visit multiple vineyards and get that countryside experience, determine a a designated driver, plan to hire a driver/use ride shares, or hop on one of the many organized wine tours in each region. Just make sure you check a mao and have a plan before you book a place.
Outdoor Space is Key
Most people want some kind of outdoor space when they’re in wine country, especially if the weather permits (depending on the destaition and the season of travel). It just goes with the vibe. And when you buy bottles at wineries, this is where you want to be drinking them.
Consider the Group
Groups who want independence should look for wine country vacation rentals in town so nobody feels stuck. And they should ensure they’ve got enough space so everyone can spread out and sleep comfortably. Families usually want a big common space so everyone can come together at the end of the day instad of holing up in their rooms. And couples looking to take it slow should look for cozy cottage vibes with front porches and views.
The Kitchen Matters
If bringing bottles home to the rental is part of your vision, having a good working kitchen to prep meals to pair is worth it. There’s no point in buying an exceptional bottle of wine only to drink it with subpar takeout or a microwave dinner. And with so many of these areas offering exceptional produce, meats, and grocery from nearby farms and ranches, its prime time to take advantage. Dinner doesn’t have to be fancy: grab a few steaks, toss a big salad together, or make some epic cheeseboards.
