Winery Getaways In Unexpected Destinations

Hudson Valley, New York

The Hudson River Valley has grown in the wine world and now there are more than 20 wineries to visit. From the Warwick Valley Winery, a winery and distillery known for its Chardonnay and ciders to Millbrook Winery, voted best winery in the Hudson Valley for the last 20 years and boasting award-winning Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Tocai Friulano and Riesling, the Hudson Valley isn’t necessarily the first U.S. destination that comes to mind when you think of wine, but it should be.

Be sure to plan your trip along The Shawangunk Wine Trail, featuring 15 wineries and just 60 miles outside of NYC. The area has plenty of accommodations for any budget from quaint B&B’s to chain hotels.

Grand Junction, Colorado

Grand Junction, is about 250 miles west of Denver. The region boasts more than 20 wineries and vineyards and beautiful vistas, best experienced on a bike! That’s right, many travelers choose to take a few days to bike from winery to winery, staying at bed and breakfasts along the way. Some of the local bike shops even offer guided tours so travelers don’t even have to think, just drink!

Be sure to visit in September for the Colorado Mountain Winefest. The “Festival in the Park” takes place in Palisade, Colorado on Saturday, September 21, 2019. It is the state’s largest and oldest wine festival featuring dozens of Colorado wineries, live music, a grape stomp, chef demonstrations & seminars.

British Columbia

Our neighbors to the north offer beautiful winery experiences. If you are heading north to Vancouver, they have some amazing wine. British Columbia is best known for its icewine, a dessert-style wine, but many other wine types are made there. Vancouver Urban Winery makes their wines with only grapes grown in British Columbia. City Side Winery, also in Vancouver, offers a wine-inspired dining experience. About about five hours east of Vancouver by car is the Okanagan Valley, home to more than half of the province’s wineries. Grab your passport and head to Canada for some amazing wine experiences.

Shenandoah Spirits Trail

Head to Virginia and tour this trail connecting wineries, craft breweries and distilleries from Harrisonburg to Winchester County. What you will find along the way are stunning mountain views, historic treasures, farm-to-table dining, charming small towns, and outdoor recreation.

This is a HUGE trail (47 stops) and will certainly take more than a weekend, I would recommend picking an area and enjoying all it has to offer while you explore. I had the pleasure of exploring Shenandoah County and it’s wineries and breweries. Be sure not to miss MUSE Vineyards, the views are almost as amazing as the wine.

Mason Dixon Wine Trail

Located in my own backyard is the Mason Dixon Wine Trail. As close as many of these wineries are, I still haven’t been to all of them! Wine tasting never ends on this year-round wine trail, so gather your friends and come visit. Vineyards stretch from York County to Hershey, Gettysburg and Lancaster through Pennsylvania’s Dutch County Roads and south to across the Mason-Dixon line to Baltimore, Maryland.

Come and visit me, we can explore the trail together!

Where would you like to explore great wineries and small towns?