5 Lesser-Known Wine Regions To Explore Now

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Once upon a vineyard time, most wine drinkers focused on imports from Italy and France. Then, our taste buds expanded to global regions from Spain, Germany, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile.

Here at home, California’s boom began in the 1970s, when 25 Napa vineyards catapulted to 500, adding more variety in Sonoma and Central Coast. Today, grapevines are planted in more than 30 states. Washington is the largest, with over 1,000 wineries.

Sampling wines where they’re produced is a unique travel experience, where you can taste different varieties while viewing lush vineyards. Here are five wine regions to discover, all expanding and some little known. If you can’t visit in person, you can purchase many of the varieties below in local wine stores.

New York: More Than the Big Apple

The third largest wine region, The Empire State’s Finger Lakes region boasts more than 150 wineries and three wine trails to explore: Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake and Keuka Lake. To find out more about how to explore these trails, go here. Flights (several small pours) quench your thirst with views of clear lakes formed in the Ice Age. The region specializes in aromatic whites modeled after Germany’s Riesling and Gewurztraminer grapes. When I was first introduced to this region 25 years ago, I thought they were too sweet. But they’ve grown more sophisticated and truer to their origins and have expanded to Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir, reds that can be grown in cool climates.

Long Island, NY: A Long List of Vineyards

I love bicycling through Long Island wine country with views of gently rolling farms, solar panels and windmills. The eastern part of Long Island looks like a fish tail, dividing the Hamptons and the lesser-known North Fork (NOFO). At 118 miles, Long Island is the largest island in 48 states, and home to more than 60 vineyards. Dating back to 1973, this region is known for boutique vineyards that use ancient winemaking procedures with some dedicated to sustainable farming.

My favorite is Croteaux, the sole U.S. vineyard growing and producing only rosés. Pindar Vineyard in Peconic, NY, is the largest, producing 700,000 cases of 20 grape varieties a year. Bedell Cellars is family-owned and notable for rich, juicy high-end reds. Calabrian-born Claudia Purita cultivates vines that were all hand-planted, hence she named her vineyard One Woman.

Virginia: It's for Wine Lovers

Over 4,000 acres of grapes and 10 regions are nestled throughout Virginia, whose community of farmers pay attention to their particular land rather than wine trends. The Blue Ridge Mountains, Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah Valley are the most popular regions. The Virginia Wine Organization describes their wines as “lush but structured; aromatic, expressive and beautifully balanced — blending the subtlety of the Old World with the boldness of the new. Like perfect French spoken with a slight southern drawl.”

Bordeaux-styled wines thrive: Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Let them age or drink right away. The region is also known for cideries, a tradition hailing back to our first settlers. Between tastings, hike in the Shenandoah National Park and cruise along the Blue Ridge Parkway, revered as America’s favorite drive.

With more than 300 wineries — including the very popular King Family Vineyards and the Bluestone Vineyards — it may be hard to know where to start. Here's more information on the various wine tours you can take.

Texas: The Second Largest State and the 5^th Largest Wine Producer

It’s one of the fastest growing in the country with 800 wineries. Dating back to the 1600s, Spanish missionaries transported vines to make sacramental wine from what’s now called Mexico. Val Verde Winery in Del Rio is Texas’s oldest pre-Prohibition winery, operating since 1883. Initially, farmers relied on classic grapes like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. They are leveraging the dry, sunny climate and rocky soil with new varieties. Other popular wineries located just outside the beautiful town of Fredericksburg include the Safari Winery and the Heath Sparkling Wines Tasting Room. In Waco, check out Valley Mills Vineyards.

Pair a visit to Texas’s Hill Country — where Fredericksburg is located — with large cities: Austin (one hour drive), Dallas and Houston (four hours). You’ll pass oak and cypress trees and the state’s famous bluebonnets.

Colorado: Not Just for Skiing and Breweries

Grand Valley is four hours west of Denver. The climate is ideal for growing peaches — also Viognier, Riesling and Cabernet Franc, which thrive in high altitudes. The tasting rooms are more mom-and-pop and casual than in Napa Valley. Top chefs have transformed Grand Valley into a culinary destination.

The Rocky Mountains provide ideal growing conditions of warm days, cool nights and low humidity. Continuing a 100-year-old tradition of winemaking, innovators are also developing wines made from stone fruits and honey.

Here are some of the most popular wineries across Colorado.

This Centennial State is not the last stop on the U.S. regional wine trail. There is so much to see, sip and savor at vineyards stretching the entire country, including North Carolina, Colorado, Idaho, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri. Many wine regions have bus and limousine tours. All self-designed tours should always have a designated driver.

 
Do you ever visit wineries? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.