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Best wine destinations in North America

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Valle de Guadalupe
Mexico’s Wine Country Escape
7.1
Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California is Mexico's leading wine region. Vineyards lie about an hour from Ensenada in dry hills. Tempranillo and Nebbiolo do well in the Mediterranean climate. Visitors can taste wines and eat seafood at open air kitchens beside the vines in the evening.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax in natural hot springs near the valley
  • 👩‍🍳 Join a Mexican cooking class with local chefs
  • 🍷 Taste premium wines at Xecue Vinicola vineyard
Calistoga
Charming vineyards and rolling hills await you
9.0
Calistoga at the head of Napa Valley is known for hot springs and mud baths. Chateau Montelena won the Judgment of Paris in 1976 with its Chardonnay. That tasting changed the world's view of California wine. Visitors can also see the Old Faithful geyser and relax in warm mineral pools.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Explore the natural hot springs for a relaxing soak
  • 🌅 Stroll through the scenic vineyards at sunset
  • 🍷 Sip award‑winning Pinot Noir in Calistoga’s historic wineries
Yountville
Elegant vineyards and serene countryside charm
9.0
Yountville is a small walkable town in Napa Valley with a large number of Michelin starred restaurants. The French Laundry opened here in 1994. Tasting rooms and bakeries line the main street. Vineyards begin at the edge of town and visitors can cycle between estates.
Highlights:
  • 🥘 Dine at The French Laundry's tasting menu
  • 🏙️ Stroll through the historic downtown Yountville
  • 🍾 Tasting tour of Domaine Carneros sparkling wines
Finger Lakes
Waterfalls, wine and pristine lakes
8.0
The Finger Lakes in New York have deep glacial lakes that keep vineyards from freezing in winter. Riesling is the star grape and makes crisp dry and sweet wines. Dr Konstantin Frank planted European vines here in the 1950s. Visitors can taste wines beside Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Visit Taughannock Falls, one of the tallest in the East
  • 🖼️ Tour the Corning Museum of Glass and watch live demos
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park
Napa Valley
Wine country's elegant culinary paradise
8.2
Napa Valley is a narrow valley about 48 kilometres long that grows world class Cabernet Sauvignon. More than 400 wineries line Highway 29 and the Silverado Trail. The Napa Valley Wine Train runs through vineyards on old rails. Visitors can taste wines in estates and lunch among the vines.
Highlights:
  • 🍽️ Dine at award-winning farm-to-table restaurants in Yountville
  • 🎈 Ride a hot air balloon at sunrise over the vineyards
  • 🍷 Tour world-renowned vineyards and taste signature Napa Valley wines
Sonoma County
Wine country beyond the vines
7.6
Sonoma County has many small valleys and grows Pinot Noir and Chardonnay along the cool Russian River. Old Zinfandel vines grow on hillsides in Dry Creek Valley. Redwood forests and the Pacific coast lie close by. Visitors can taste wines in relaxed family estates and small town squares.
Highlights:
  • 🧀 Explore local farmers’ markets filled with artisanal products
  • 🌊 Drive along the scenic Sonoma Coast and Bodega Bay
  • 🍷 Tour family-run wineries and taste world-class Pinot Noir
Willamette Valley
World-class pinot and scenic beauty
7.7
The Willamette Valley in Oregon is famous for Pinot Noir. David Lett planted Pinot Noir here in 1965 at Eyrie Vineyards and proved the region could succeed. The cool climate and volcanic soils suit the grape. Visitors can taste wines in the Dundee Hills among Douglas fir forests.
Highlights:
  • 🥗 Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant with local produce
  • 🚴‍♀️ Cycle scenic roads through rolling vineyards and farmlands
  • 🍷 Tour vineyards and taste world-class Pinot Noir wines
Okanagan Valley
Vibrant vineyards and crystal‑clear lakes
9.0
The Okanagan Valley in British Columbia stretches along a long lake in a desert like climate. Vineyards around Osoyoos are among the warmest in Canada. Winemakers also make ice wine from grapes frozen on the vine. Visitors can taste wines on lakeside patios and cycle between estates.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Cruise Okanagan Lake, spotting wildlife
  • 🍷 Stroll vineyards in Kelowna’s Okanagan Hills
  • 🏂 Ski world‑class slopes at Whistler Blackcomb
Santa Barbara
California’s Riviera: sun, surf, style
7.6
Santa Barbara County has valleys that run east to west and pull cool ocean fog inland. This helps Pinot Noir and Chardonnay ripen slowly. The film Sideways made the Santa Ynez Valley famous in 2004. Visitors can taste wines in small towns and near beaches.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on East Beach and soak up the California sun
  • ⛪ Tour Mission Santa Barbara, the “Queen of the Missions”
  • 🌅 Stroll along Stearns Wharf and watch the sunset over the Pacific
California
Golden State of Endless Experiences
8.7
California makes about four fifths of all wine produced in the United States. Vineyards run from the cool coast to hot inland valleys. Paso Robles on the Central Coast grows bold Zinfandel and Rhone style blends. Visitors can taste wines outdoors in oak studded hills.
Highlights:
  • 🚗 Drive the stunning Pacific Coast Highway from LA to Big Sur
  • 🏞️ Explore Yosemite National Park’s waterfalls and granite cliffs
  • 🌉 Stroll across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Charlottesville
History, Vineyards and Blue Ridge Views
7.1
Charlottesville in Virginia lies near Monticello where Thomas Jefferson tried to grow European grapes. Today the Monticello area has dozens of wineries. Cabernet Franc and Viognier do well on the Blue Ridge foothills. Visitors can taste wines on terraces with views of rolling green hills.
Highlights:
  • 🎓 Explore the University of Virginia, a UNESCO site
  • 🛍️ Stroll and shop along the pedestrian Downtown Mall
  • 🏛️ Tour Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s historic estate
Yakima
Wine Country in Washington's Sunshine
6.6
Yakima Valley in Washington is a dry desert region watered by irrigation from the Cascade Mountains. Long sunny summer days ripen Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Hops and apples also grow in the valley. Visitors can taste wines at family estates and see Mount Adams on clear days.
Highlights:
  • 🍒 Pick fresh fruit at Johnson Orchards Market
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll the scenic Yakima Greenway trail
  • 🏛️ Explore exhibits at the Yakima Valley Museum
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