U.S. Wine Trails – The Perfect Weekend Getaway
Wine tours have long been popular excursions for wine lovers and those who enjoy beautiful, lush scenery. But no longer will you need to travel to France or Napa Valley for a wine tour getaway, as specialty wine trails in just about every state are catering to wine travel fans. The United States has over 6000 wineries, with at least one in every state. Many states boast specialty wine regions, with clusters of wineries grouped together in close proximity for an ideal weekend getaway.
These small independent wineries are typically grouped only a few miles apart, making it easy to visit several over the course of a day or two. In addition to beautiful scenic countryside, you’ll be able to taste some of America’s finest new award winning wines, produced by master winemakers.
A wine trail is usually designated by a state’s tourism commission, with signs and routes marked for easy navigation. Since wine making is both art and science, you’ll experience different offerings and tastes at each winery. The spirit of entrepreneurship and passion for excellence is evident when you visit, and the experience of tasting new wine is an enjoyable experience to share with friends.
When most people think of wine, they think of traditional wine producing states like California. And while California wine is the best known of all U.S. varieties, other states are equally proud of their wineries. Over two dozen states have officially designated wine trails, and most of these states contain several groups of wineries, perfect for tasting and touring.
For example, just to name a few states, there are multiple wine trails awaiting you in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Connecticut, and Missouri. Due to shipping laws, many of the wines from these wineries are only available within the respective state, although these laws are slowly changing.
You’ll find that a wine trail wine tour is easy to navigate, as most wineries on the trail are in close proximity. Usually, it’s a 10 or 15 minute drive between wineries, at most. Also, you’ll encounter some charming small towns with local restaurants, attractions, friendly inns, and bed and breakfasts. With most wineries open year around, any season is the perfect time for your wine travel experience.
The best quality to bring along on a wine trail excursion is an open mind. As there are thousands of grape varieties being grown, there are equally as many wines. Leave any preconceptions about wine at home, and relish the chance to try new things. The experience of trying new wines from a new region is not only educational, but liberating and fun!
Whenever we travel a wine trail, we always add in an overnight stay. This allows us to relax and enjoy wine as it was meant to be enjoyed. It’s particularly enjoyable to try local restaurants and their regional specialties. You’ll even be able to break up the wineries into two seperate days, which will help keep you and your palate sharp.
Wineries along any U.S. wine trail are happy and proud to share their offerings, no matter what season you visit. You’ll be able to experience new wines and explore charming small towns. Best of all, no matter where home is, there’s a wine trail within a half days drive, making local wine travel a highly enjoyable and educational weekend getaway.
