While a trip to one of Europe’s famed wine regions is certainly worth the time and effort, you actually don’t need to travel that far (or blow all your PTO days) to enjoy an amazing wine-fueled getaway this year. Given that every state in the U.S. produces wine, chances are there is a destination-worthy wine region within driving distance from you, so let’s make 2024 the year to take advantage!

California, which produces over 80% of the country’s wine, is home to many world-class wine regions (a few of which are on this list), but we don’t want you to feel limited to just the Golden State—there are many wine regions scattered throughout the United States that are worthy of exploring. Ready to get inspired? Here are our picks for the top 10 U.S. wine regions to visit in 2024.

Something for Everyone

Santa Barbara County, California

Santa Barbara Wine Country may have flown under the radar 20 years ago, but nowadays this California destination is one of the most exciting wine regions in the U.S., drawing visitors from all over the world to enjoy its picturesque scenery, friendly hospitality, and, of course, world-class wine. In recent years, Santa Barbara has earned many accolades, including being named Wine Enthusiast’s 2021 ‘Top Wine Region of the Year,’ and the county continues to be applauded for its diverse growing sites, varied wine tasting experiences, and ongoing efforts in sustainability.

Santa Barbara County is unique in that it’s situated between transverse mountain ranges, which funnel in cooling ocean influences from the Pacific to create a multitude of microclimates, along with significant temperature swings from day to night, allowing for a longer growing season. Add in Santa Barbara’s varied topography and diverse soil structures and you’ve got the perfect recipe for growing a wide range of grapes—over 70 different varieties, in fact.

Diversity is truly the name of the game in Santa Barbara Wine Country, where you can sip nuanced Pinot Noir, savory Syrah, racy Chardonnay, complex Cabernet Sauvignon, sophisticated Grenache, juicy Pét-Nat, and skin-fermented Sauvignon Blanc—all in the same day. The wine tasting experiences are just as varied, from casual tastings at urban tasting rooms to barrel tastings at converted warehouse spaces to elevated food and wine pairings at design-forward wineries overlooking vineyards. Another bonus: it’s not uncommon to find the winemaker pouring the wines themselves. One thing you won’t find much of, though, is pretense, as Santa Barbara is known for its easy going vibe and welcoming spirit, making it an easy place to want to visit again and again.

Fun Fact: The future is female (winemakers) in Santa Barbara County! This region has one of the nation’s highest percentages of female winemakers and women in wine.

Don’t Miss: Los Alamos
Los Alamos may be quaint (blink and you may miss the exit off the 101), but don’t overlook this small town 15 miles north of Buellton. Once a dusty little western town, “Little LA” has since become a must-stop for foodies and oenophiles, where many of the region’s best restaurants—including a One Michelin Star restaurant—are all on the same street. Come for a day of eating, then fill your time in between meals with excellent wine and antique shopping. You won’t be disappointed.

Pinot Paradise

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Out of all the nation’s wine regions, no AVA is more associated with Pinot Noir than the Willamette Valley. This cool-climate growing region, situated in the northwest corner of Oregon, is indeed internationally recognized for Pinot Noir, renowned for its earthy flavors and elegant textures. But, the Willamette Valley, which just recently celebrated 40 years as an AVA, isn’t just a one-trick pony, so to speak. Beyond its flagship Pinot Noir, you’ll find vibrant Chardonnay, crisp Pinot Gris, and aromatic Riesling wines, along with expressive examples of lesser-known varieties.

Within the Willamette Valley AVA are several smaller AVAs, each with its own unique character. Many wineries here, from charming, family-run spots to larger, more grand estates, celebrate this diversity, sourcing grapes from vineyards across the region to create wines that are complex and site expressive. No doubt you will enjoy tasting your way through the Valley, but a visit here is more than just about wine; it’s a chance to immerse yourself into the stunning natural surroundings. As you make your way from winery to winery, and from town to town, you’ll pass serene, pastoral hills of vineyards, hazelnut orchards, woodlands, and farmlands. And yes, it’s noticeably lush and green. Regardless of where you go, though, the general atmosphere remains welcoming, unpretentious, and authentically original.

Fun Fact: In Oregon (as a whole), 75% of producers make less than 5,000 cases annually.

Don’t Miss: Truffle Season
Every fall and winter, the Willamette Valley celebrates this prized delicacy with a range of truffle-related events and festivals, as well as guided foraging expeditions.

Sustainability at the Forefront

Sonoma County, California

Napa Valley is no doubt Northern California’s most famous wine region (and likely a place you’ll want to visit again and again), but if you haven’t yet experienced neighboring Sonoma County, now’s the time to change that. A must for wine lovers who appreciate good wine, local food, and the outdoors, laid-back Sonoma County is an expansive wine region featuring 19 appellations planted to over 60 grape varieties. Here, you’ll find everything from sparkling wines and lean, mineral-driven whites to complex, fruit-driven reds and bold wines from old vines — most of which are produced by family-owned wineries (some multigenerational) and sourced from sustainably-farmed vineyards.

While wine is a major draw, Sonoma County charms with its beautifully diverse landscapes, from the rugged coastline to the redwood forests, the bucolic countryside to the more mountainous areas, making it a wonderful place to spend time outside. It also stands out for its dedication to all things local, where a locavore mentality extends from restaurant menus highlighting local and seasonal produce, cheese, and meat, to hotels and shops featuring artworks and goods made by local artisans.

Fun Fact: 99% of Sonoma County’s vineyards are certified sustainable, making it the most sustainable grape growing region in the world.

Don’t Miss: Healdsburg
The burgeoning town of Healdsburg is a wine and food lover’s paradise, thanks to its vibrant dining scene, chic urban tasting rooms, coffee shops, and unique culinary experiences. It’s certainly worthy of at least a day trip, but should you want to make Healdsburg your home base, there are plenty of places to stay in and around town, including charming inns, contemporary hotels, and high-end resorts.

World-Class Reds

Walla Walla, Washington

Ten years ago, you may not have been familiar with Walla Walla (other than for its sweet onions), but nowadays this small growing region along the Washington-Oregon border is widely known as a premium wine region. In 2020, Walla Walla Valley—already named Wine Enthusiast’s 2019 ‘Wine Region of the Year’—was crowned the winner of ‘America’s Best Wine Region’ by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and interest in the region hasn’t slowed since. It’s not surprising, though, since the Walla Walla Valley boasts some of the state’s best vineyards and wineries. Now home to more than 130 wineries and nearly 3,000 acres of vines, it’s producing excellent examples of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.

The Walla Walla Valley AVA encompasses land in both Washington and Oregon, and wineries and tasting rooms are spread out throughout six distinct districts. Each area offers a different slice of Walla Walla, with wines and tasting experiences just as diverse. Foodies will also appreciate the eclectic mix of impressive restaurants in and around town, which each draw on the rich spectrum of seasonal produce and artisanal products from the region.

Fun Fact: Walla Walla Valley has the highest concentration of wineries in Washington and is home to some of Washington’s oldest wineries.

Don’t Miss: Exploring Downtown
Even if staying out amongst the vines, you won’t want to miss venturing into downtown Walla Walla. Though quaint, Walla Walla has a vibrant energy that makes it feel much bigger, yet it still retains its small town charm. You won’t tire of the great selection of wine tasting rooms, art galleries, bakeries, and restaurants around every corner, while regular events like art walks and farmers markets only add to the experience.

The Birthplace of American Wine

Northern & Central Virginia

Virginia is recognized as the birthplace of American wine, when early colonists first attempted making wine here in the early 17th century, but it wasn’t until the early 1980s that the industry began to gain traction. Today, Virginia is home to over 4,000 acres of vineyards, where grapes like Viognier, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Norton have taken center stage. And just recently, Wine Enthusiast crowned Central Virginia’s Charlottesville area as the ‘Wine Region of the Year’ for 2023.

Thomas Jefferson—you know, that famous scholar, statesman, and third President of the United States—was one of the early believers in growing grapes in his home state of Virginia. A master gardener and wine connoisseur, his first foray into viticulture began in 1773, though his efforts to grow European varieties failed again and again due to pests, disease, and unfavorable weather. Luckily, the pioneering spirit of this region helped grapes persevere, and today’s winemakers and growers have learned to work with the region’s continental climate to find their sweet spot. The last decade, especially, has shown a huge increase in both the quantity and quality of Virginia wine.

There are over 300 wineries in Virginia, spread throughout eight different AVAs. One of the most visited is Northern Virginia’s Wine Country, aka “D.C.’s Wine Country,” which is only an hour outside the nation’s capital. With its bucolic country roads, picturesque rolling hills, and historic towns, it manages to feel worlds away. Here, you’ll find boutique wineries offering intimate experiences as well as larger, more design-forward estates, while about an hour further inland will land you in Central Virginia—home to the famed Monticello AVA—where a thriving wine scene is offered alongside history, culture, and quality cuisine. Regardless of where you visit, beauty and charm abound, as well as pick-your-own apple orchards, historical sites, and photo-worthy landscapes.

Fun Fact: Norton, America’s oldest wine grape, was born in Virginia.

Don’t Miss: Cider tasting
Wine tasting experiences may lure visitors to Virginia Wine Country, but don’t overlook sampling some cider, too. There are over 20 cideries across the state producing some delicious ciders worth stopping in for.

European Influence

Texas Hill Country, Texas

Texas may not be the first place you’d think of when considering a wine tasting trip, but it has been steadily blazing a trail in wine. As the fifth largest wine producing state in the U.S., Texas is home to over 500 wineries scattered throughout the state, where you’ll find wines made from Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Tannat, and Viognier, as well as from lesser-known grapes like Muscat Canelli, Lenoir, and the white hybrid of Blanc du Bois.

While there are eight delineated growing regions, the centrally located Texas Hill Country has become the hot spot for wine tourism. Conveniently situated outside the big cities of Austin and San Antonio, Texas Hill Country is a vast wine region offering visitors plenty of charming towns and natural scenery in which to explore. Add in a unique food scene, diverse wineries, and wide open spaces ideal for watching epic sunsets, and it’s no wonder this region captures the hearts of visitors from near and far.

Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, the historic town of Fredericksburg is a great base for exploring the region’s numerous wineries. Here, you’ll find tasting rooms, good shopping, music venues, and noteworthy restaurants, all wrapped up with authentic Texas hospitality and a dose of German flair.

Fun Fact: Fredericksburg was settled by German immigrants over 160 years ago, and its German heritage can still be experienced through its food, architecture, and town festivals.

Don’t Miss: Texas Hill Country Cuisine
BBQ may be big in the Lone Star state, but you’d be surprised by the diversity of offerings you’ll find in Texas Hill Country, where restaurants celebrate the flavors and ingredients of Texas and throughout the world. Whether you’re craving Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex, Southern food, or authentic German schnitzels, you’ll love eating your way through the region.

Down-to-Earth Vibes

Edna Valley, California

While most people are familiar with California’s Paso Robles Wine Country (more on that below), nearby Edna Valley is much more of a hidden gem. Situated south of San Luis Obispo just five miles from the Pacific Ocean, Edna Valley is a small viticultural area noted for its cool coastal climate and long growing season—one of the longest in California, as a matter of fact. Here, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay shine, though diverse microclimates and rich oceanic and volcanic soils allow for several other grapes to flourish, including Albariño, Viognier, and Syrah.

Edna Valley may produce a steady stream of acclaimed wines, but the experience and vibe here remain down-to-earth and unhurried (this is the uber-friendly and laid-back Central Coast, after all). Small, family-owned wineries and larger, more modern wineries alike are known for their warm hospitality as much as they are for their wine. And, because the land here isn’t as inflated as some parts of California, you can still find quality bottles without enormously expensive price tags.

Fun Fact: Edna Valley’s winemaking history dates back to the 1800s, when Spanish missionaries planted some of the first mission grapes.

Don’t Miss: Biking
Edna Valley is a great place for cyclists, who will appreciate the region’s scenic vistas and quiet country roads. Of course, you’ll capture the same views of Bishop’s Peak and some of the other “Nine Sisters” (the chain of volcanic morros that dot the landscape) by driving, but exploring the valley on two wheels means stops for wine tastings and snacks are all the more essential.

Cool-Climate Haven

Finger Lakes, New York

Of New York’s major wine regions, the Finger Lakes AVA is one of the most historically important, having been at the center of New York’s wine industry since the 1860s. Today, it encompasses the majority of the state’s wineries, with over 130 wineries and 11,000 acres under vine.

While the region produces a number of cool-climate varieties, including noteworthy Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc, the AVA is most prized for its Riesling. In fact, the Finger Lakes is producing some of the country’s best Riesling wines, found in a range of styles and price points. In addition to invigorating still and sparkling wines, producers in the Finger Lakes are known for their sweet wines, including Botrytis-affected wines and ice wines—the latter of which are made from frozen grapes that have been left on the vine into winter.

The Finger Lakes AVA is renowned for its four main lakes: Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga, each showcasing distinctive viticultural characteristics. In any of these regions, visitors will find a number of tasting rooms offering scenic lake views, along with a variety of wines to sip within the relaxed, unhurried settings. Beyond the vineyards, the region offers a diverse selection of craft beverages, courtesy of its numerous distilleries, cideries, and meaderies, all adding to the region’s charm.

Fun Fact: The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, one of four in the AVA, is recognized as America’s first-organized and longest-running wine trail.

Don’t Miss: Discovering New Varietals
In addition to Riesling, be sure to take the opportunity to try wines you may not typically see offered in other parts of the U.S., such as Gewurztraminer, a perfumed white varietal known for its lychee and ginger-like notes, and Blaufränkisch, a rustic, peppery, and black fruit-driven red commonly found in Austria and Hungary.

The Wild West

Paso Robles

California’s Paso Robles is one of the most central wine regions in California, located just over three hours north of Los Angeles or south of San Francisco. While often compared to other notable wine regions in the state, such as Napa Valley and Santa Barbara, Paso Robles definitely has its own vibe and style, most often characterized by its rule breaking, innovative spirit—it is called the land of “cowboys and wine,” after all.

The sprawling Paso Robles wine region, which comprises over 40,000 acres of vineyards within its 11 diverse sub-appellations, is one of the fastest growing AVAs in the nation, drawing people from all over the world to make diverse wines here. The landscapes and elevations range significantly, contributing to the unique profiles of the wines, and the places to try said wines are just as varied. From small, family-owned wineries to larger, well-known brands, converted warehouse tasting rooms to impressively designed estates with epic views, you’ll find an eclectic mix of places to visit and people to meet. Overall, though, the vibe here remains laid-back and welcoming.

Besides wine, Paso has a number of acclaimed, must-visit restaurants, unique attractions, chic boutique lodging, and a burgeoning craft cocktail and distillery scene. Good wine, food, cocktails, and a comfortable place to rest your head—what more do you need?

Fun Fact: The most planted variety in Paso may be Cabernet Sauvignon, but the region has earned a strong reputation for its Rhône varieties, including Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Syrah.

Don’t Miss: Sensorio
Be sure to pay a visit to Sensorio, a magical walk-through experience that truly lives up to the hype. Here, gently rolling hillsides awaken into a vivid spectacle as the sun goes down, offering views of brilliant light installations that are whimsical and awe-inspiring. It’s truly unlike anything else.

An Undiscovered Gem

Snake River Valley, Idaho

Idaho may be known for its scenic vistas, epic skiing, and, of course, potatoes, but did you know the first wineries in the Pacific Northwest were in Idaho? Though Prohibition squashed the industry, today Idaho is in the middle of a great wine resurgence, with the number of wineries increasing by almost 58% in the last decade.

Most of Idaho’s 65 wineries and 1,300 acres under vine can be found in the Snake River Valley—Idaho’s first AVA—which is located in the southern part of the state just 30 miles from Boise. Here, a more moderate climate, minimal rainfall, and a high elevation make it more conducive to growing grapes, including Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

Besides being conveniently close to Boise, the Snake River Valley, home to the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, is a must for wine lovers looking to discover the next under-the-radar wine region. Along with a casual environment, you’ll find a plethora of family-owned wineries producing handcrafted wines (with incredibly affordable price points), intimate tasting and dining experiences, and a general sense that people are truly excited to welcome you. And, because the region is still coming into its own, winemakers have the freedom to experiment with new clones, winemaking techniques, and varieties. No doubt the best is yet to come from this emerging wine region.

Fun Fact: Some vineyard elevations reach nearly 3,000 feet above sea level—some of the highest in the U.S.

Don’t Miss: Boise’s Urban Wine District
While quiet country vistas are the norm for wineries in the Snake River Valley, a handful of producers are taking a different approach by operating urban wineries near downtown Boise. If you’re looking to ditch the car and walk or bike instead, you’ll love the unique urban offerings, where quality wine, unpretentious vibes, and diverse settings are the name of the game.