When people think about spots to go wine tasting, they think of the usual spots: Napa and Sonoma in America. These days though, a trip to traditional wine country will cost you a couple hundred dollars a night for a hotel, as well as, $20 per tasting. Sure, the food and wine are great, but it gets pricey pretty quickly.
Austin Texas: While, I still laugh at what amounts to “hill” country in Texas, the Texas hills are producing better and better wine. They’ve figured out what grapes to plant and where to put them. Plus, like almost all of the next wave of wine tasting spots, Austin is a city that’s both growing and that also offers tourists a wider range of things to do than simply drink.
Wilcox Arizona: Arizona isn’t generally thought of as a center of the US wine industry. However, this is a rapidly growing region. Largely what’s happened is that vineyard land in California, Oregon and Washington State has gotten awfully expensive. That’s helped to drive innovative vintners into lesser known spots. For generations, Arizona was considered too hot to make good wine, then people realized that altitude helps grapes recover their acidity. In Wilcox you’ll find the remains of an old western town, a place where the locals genuinely want you to enjoy yourself while being shown around their home.
Seattle: Washington’s wine industry is situated in two specific spots, first in Woodinville about 30 miles north of Seattle and then Walla Walla a few hours east. For a generation vintners have been happy to move tasting rooms, close to Seattle, but prices never allowed them to move into the city itself. That’s changing as a new generation of winemaker wants the best of both worlds, to live in the city while making wine just a bit north in Woodinville.
Coronado: Coronado has previously been called one of the best US travel spots on this site, but it’s literally almost impossible to do Coronado justice. Huge white sand beaches, an imminently walkable and bikeable island only a few minute drive or ferry ride from downtown San Diego, the world famous San Diego Zoo and Seaworld. On the island, there’s also the Hotel Del Coronado A little known fact is that there are a few winery tasting room’s sitting on the island, following the new standard practice of opening tasting rooms where people live and where tourists visit. Zilaro Cellars sources grapes, largely from Paso Robles. Another fun place to taste, Wine a Bit often features flights from Baja California wineries, which will save you an international trip.
Mark Aselstine is the owner of the Uncorked Ventures Wine Club, a high end wine club based just outside of San Francisco and the wine countries of Napa Valley and Sonoma. An avid Twitter user, you’re as likely to find Mark talking about politics, parenting or public transportation as you are wine.
