Sniff and Sip: Best Wineries in the US to Visit

There is never a bad time to visit a winery, whether it's staycation days, vacation days, winter days, summer days, or rainy days. And it is especially true regardless of what state in the United States you are in.

Although the idea of going to Tuscany and Bordeaux is nice, the United States is undoubtedly not lacking in terms of the wine regions. From the rolling hills of Virginia to the sunbaked vineyards of California, US wineries grow extensively with regards to grapes.

Over the years, the number of wineries in the US has increased. In 2019, it reached a total of 10,043, which has grown by at least 50% since 2009. With this statistic, it's evident that the US winery growth continues steady climb, and more wines are produced than ever before.

Below are some of the best wineries in the US to visit. Cheers, and take a read!

Duckhorn Vineyards

The Napa Valley in California houses about 400 wineries. And even though it is among the smallest wine regions, Napa Valley still produces at least 4% of the wine in California. A connoisseur of wine should visit this winery whose Napa Valley Three Palms Merlot 2014 was reckoned the top wine by Wine Spectator in 2017.

Duckhorn Vineyards is situated along St. Helena's Silverado Trail, and the airy estate house of the vineyard offers striking views from the veranda. What's more, the vineyard is surrounded by at least ten neighboring wineries within walking distance.

Wine tastings start at $40, but take note that reservations are required. Be sure to try the Sauvignon Blan and Cabernet Sauvignon of the vineyard.

Maison Louis Latour

The Latour family is well-known and popular when it comes to the wine trade in Burgundy. The family started as vine-growers and went on to establish their own wine business in 1797. At present, they are one of the most prominent winemakers.

Maison Louis Latour is located in San Rafael, California. Be sure to visit this winery because they have the best Latour wines for sale.

Augusta Winery

For sure, the Midwest is not the first region to pop into your mind whenever you think of wine. Even so, Augusta Winery, an hour from St. Louis, was the first federally approved American Viticultural Area or AVA on record.

Also, it gained that recognition eight months before Napa, in June 1980. What's more, recently, the winery received an award for its 2016 Norton Estate Bottled at the 2018 Missouri Wine Competition.

Augusta Winery itself is located on the cliffs overlooking or overseeing the Missouri River Valley. Additionally, for only $5, you can sample five regular wines or for $8, more limited/premium production wines.

Scribe Winery

At least thirty minutes from Napa Valley, Sonoma County houses about 250 wineries focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Although it is more laidback and less touristy compared to its eastern neighbor, it makes for an excellent, superb tasting experience.

In the Scribe Winery, rather than sending you into an elaborate, intricate wine tasting room, you get a Mexican blanket when you arrive so that you can explore and look around to find your own spot on the grassy knoll in the vineyard for imbibing.

Tastings may include Sylvaners, Rieslings, Pinot Noirs, and earthy Chardonnays. Plus, homegrown nuts and fruits for snacking.

Sawtooth Winery

Snake River Valley became an official AVA in 2007, which ranges at least 8000 miles across Oregon and Idaho. About 18,000 acres of that land are vineyards. The largest by far is the Skyline Vineyards in Idaho.

This vineyard supplies the smaller boutique wineries in Idaho and Sawtooth Winery with Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Gris, Tempranillo, Roussanne, and more.

Make sure to sample any of them, particularly the world-renowned Riesling, in the wood-beamed, rustic tasting room of Sawtooth Winery. Instead of the Sawtooth Range, you can see the Sunnyslope Wine Trail from its windows.

Takeaway

Whether you cannot tell a Merlot from a Merlot or a wine connoisseur, you won't go wrong visiting or going to a winery. It's because it is their job to enlighten you. All you need to do is to taste samples of wine to expand your palate.

There are many excellent wines produced in many different states other than the US flagship of wine tasting, California. You just have to explore and look around. Moreover, because of these wine producers, anyone can experience superb wine tastings.