In honor of Independence Day, we in the Travel Office decided to do our patriotic duty and investigate America's most fascinating wine regions. Wineries can now be found in all 50 states, and many are giving West Coast bastions some serious competition, both in terms of wine quality and sheer physical beauty. We've compiled a list of our top 10 favorite wine regions in the United States. Many of the usual suspects are there, as well as some choices that might surprise you:
The allure of this wine country just north of San Francisco never fades. Some of the world's best wines come from these two valleys, dotted with Michelin-starred restaurants and sybaritic resorts.
Thomas Jefferson's vineyards here failed, but the area around Monticello now produces superb wines, especially Viognier and Cabernet Franc. Gracious resorts afford easy access to this region's rolling vineyards and rich colonial history.
Seattle has a reputation for damp, but most of this state's vineyards grow in the sunny, almost desert-like east. A Seattle/QuincyWalla Walla combination would make a great food and wine itinerary.
Much better known for lobster, Maine also boasts a handful of fine wineries. Andrew Harper recently found three wineries near Camden, where he was particularly taken with a white Rhône blend, a Petit Verdot and a locally crafted gin.
The renowned Willamette Valley vineyards begin immediately southwest of vibrant Portland, growing top-quality Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. An ideal Oregon itinerary would include time in Portland, in the wine country and along Oregon's unforgettably scenic coast.
Even the smallest state has its own wine trail. On his visit last year, Mr. Harper discovered five Rhode Island wineries of note within easy driving distance of historic Newport.
The luminous skies, fine beaches and clean, sapphire-blue waters have drawn people to Long Island's East End for 200 years. When Mr. Harper toured the wineries on the North Fork, he found their Bordeaux-style blends especially appealing.
California, of course, is not all Napa and Sonoma. The region between Monterey and Santa Barbara is the heart of the Central Coast, where a long growing season with ample sun results in voluptuous wines.
Even arid Arizona has wineries, and those in Page Springs have a particularly dramatic setting, just 30 minutes from the red rocks of Sedona. The high elevation keeps vineyards cool, and Rhône varieties such as Syrah do particularly well here.
It should perhaps come as no surprise that the country's largest AVA (American Viticultural Area) is in Texas. About 90 minutes west of lively Austin, wineries near Fredericksburg and Bell Mountain bottle impressive Cabernet Sauvignon.
To start planning your unforgettable summer vacation, contact the Andrew Harper Travel Office today at (800) 375-4685, (630) 734-4610 or [email protected].
This article was first published July 7, 2012.
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