Wine Country USA

“Where there is plenty of wine, sorrow and worry take wing.” – Ovid

Check out these unique experiences and lesser-known areas that can give you an unforgettable wine experience without international travel:

American Queen Steamboat Company – Pacific Northwest Wine Cruise

You’re probably familiar with river cruises through the wine regions of France, Germany and Austria. But did you know you can do a wine-experience river cruise right here in the States? American Queen Steamboat Company offers a cruise on an authentic steamboat along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. You will explore history, experience natural beauty, and visit vineyards at stops along the way from Vancouver, WA (a suburb of Portland, OR), along the Oregon-Washington border, to Richland, WA. This is true luxury with an authentic American twist!

Paso Robles, California

Paso Robles is the halfway point between San Francisco and Los Angeles as well the entrance from the San Joaquin Valley to the coastline. This unique location with its coastal influence, creates ideal growing conditions for grapes. Free-spirited and unpretentious with a sense of cowboy informality, Paso is alive with boundless activities, culinary creativity, and interesting itineraries for everyone. Enjoying a glass of wine on horseback or after a zip line adventure isn’t out of the ordinary here, or you can experience laid-back tastings under the cover of ancient oaks to intimate wine experiences amongst barrels nestled in underground caves. Paso is one of the less-traveled wine areas in California, so you can enjoy great wine and exhilarating activities without the crowds.

Finger Lakes, New York

There are many reasons to visit the Finger Lakes – gorgeous lakes, wine and culinary highlights, exceptional hiking and biking, skiing, golf in our great outdoors, and of course, wineries galore!

Each winery has its own story to tell, its own specialty, and its own charm that makes a wine-tasting excursion the perfect way to spend some of your time exploring this beautiful area. From your “home base” at one of the historic inns or lakefront retreats, you can experience the history and beauty of this unique region. This area is especially beautiful in the fall, when leaf-peeing and vineyards make a memorable combination!

Epicurean Rafting Trips – Hells Canyon or Salmon River, Idaho

Want a bit more adventure paired with your Albarino? Designed especially for those who love wine and appreciate the idea of paddling a pristine river through splashy whitewater, these wine trips offer knowledgeable wine stewards and five-star epicurean offerings from renowned regional chefs. Not only that, but the wines selected for these wine tasting trips are carefully chosen to complement the menus, making dinner each night more akin to a fine restaurant experience than camp fare on the banks of a scenic river. The combination is unbeatable.

Mid-Atlantic Wine Country

Ok, I’m a little biased, but even before I worked at my local Maryland vineyard (pictured above), I was a fan of the wineries of Maryland and Virginia. There is so much to see and do in my own backyard, and combining activities and adventures with visits to local vineyards is a wonderful way to experience beauty and history of the mid-Atlantic region. For example, you can start with a waterfront city stay in Annapolis or Baltimore, then follow a nearby “Wine & Waterfalls” vineyard trail. Or pamper yourself with a stay at the  luxurious Salamander Resort in Virginia and explore the nearby wineries along with antique shops, historical sites, and quaint towns in the area.

As you can see, you don’t need to travel across the ocean to make your oenophile travel dreams come true! Contact us to help you put together your wine-lover’s trip right here at home.