Wine enthusiasts can travel almost anywhere and find a nice glass of vino. From coast to coast, there are vineyards in each U.S. state. Knowing what cities to explore can be overwhelming for wine lovers. Whether you’re heading out with friends or looking for a romantic getaway, wine lovers have many options. Here is a guide to the top six wine-tasting cities in the U.S. for your inspiration.
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1. Asheville, North Carolina
While Asheville is known for its eclectic art scene with live entertainment, you may not often hear about its wine choices. You can sip some of the best-tasting wine while enjoying everything this city offers. There are 15 wineries near Asheville, including the Biltmore Winery — the most visited winery in the country.
NC Wine Gals offers vineyard tours weekly, including three vineyards, pairing food and wine, curated wine selections and a little wine history in North Carolina. If you want to visit multiple locations in one day, you can visit the Catawba Valley Wine Trail or the Tryon Foothills Wine Country, since they both include five wineries.
2. Marquette, Iowa
Eagles Landing Winery in downtown Marquette is a quaint family-owned winery that has become one of the best in Iowa. A trip to Eagles Landing Winery offers scenic views, friendly vibes and live music.
Enjoy one of their 36 award-winning options while you take in peaceful views of the area. Eagles Landing offers free wine tastings daily in their gift shop and tasting room downtown. Marquette, Iowa, is a great place to visit for outdoor enthusiasts who love to hike, hunt, fish or camp. Pike’s Peak is nearby for some breathtaking views and outdoor fun.
3. Fredericksburg, Texas
This Texas town offers a historic Main Street that will transport you back in time. It’s a hop, skip and a jump away from San Antonio and Austin with a rural and peaceful setting. Fredericksburg offers over 50 vineyards and wineries with more just an hour or two drive away.
Texas Wine Country offers tours and events, like tasting rooms and the Urban Wine Trail. Over 20 wineries in the area are kid-friendly and a few are dog-friendly as well so you don’t have to worry about childcare or boarding fees while exploring Texas wine country.
4. Portland, Oregon
In Oregon, you can enjoy a delicious pinot noir in Willamette Valley, a short drive from Portland with over 500 vineyards. However, there are over a dozen urban wineries to explore within city limits. You can visit tasting rooms and meet winemakers in wineries like Hip Chicks Do Wine and Seven Bridges Winery.
Take a guided tour so you can enjoy all the wine tastings worry-free. Flying into Portland is your best bet since it’s one of the top airports in the state. You can unwind at a mini theatre in the airport or explore the tunnel where many park their bikes before their flight.
5. Seattle, Washington
Seattle is perfect for wine aficionados. There are over 900 wineries across the state of Washington, making it the second-largest premium wine producer. About 30 miles from Seattle, you can visit Woodinville Wine Country, home to 90 tasting rooms.
Urban wineries are everywhere in this pacific northwest city from SoDo Urbanworks with ten tasting rooms and Molly’s Bottle Shop for natural wines from places all over the world. The Betz Family Winery has delectable Bordeaux-style red blends that every wine lover will adore.
6. Napa Valley, California
Last but not least, Napa Valley is California’s wine capital, known for its vast wine regions. Napa Valley is the perfect place for wine tastings and vineyard tours that every wine lover must experience. There’s so much to explore, from winery crawls to wine-making workshops for wine enthusiasts. Mendocino, California is another excellent destination for wine lovers with 47 acres of oceanfront views and other attractions like canyons and a pine forest to explore.
Many Napa Valley wineries book out weeks in advance, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. Most wineries offer four to six one-ounce pours, which can add up relatively quickly. You can hire a car to get through the wineries or take a walking tour. The Napa Valley Wine Train guides you through many wineries in Napa Valley in a safe and unique way. You can board the train, begin your journey in downtown Napa and travel to St. Helena.
Top 6 Wine Cities in the U.S.
These cities are perfect options for every wine lover’s travel list. Who knew that wine country is all around us in every state? Use this list as inspiration to plan your next trip with family, friends or your significant other.
