575 Best Sights in USA

Diversity is the name of the game at this family-owned winery on prime acreage amid the Carneros District's rolling hills. High-profile Napa Valley wineries purchase most of the grapes grown here, but some are held back for estate-only wines—the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs the region is known for, along with Roussanne, Zinfandel, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a few others. You must call ahead to taste, but a casual experience tailored to your interests awaits if you do. The included tour takes in the vineyards and the wine cave.

Third-generation farmer Chris Turkovich and his wife, Luciana, whose parents in her native Argentina are both involved in the wine business, founded this winery known for bold, balanced reds. Luciana crafts many of the wines from Spanish varietals, though Petite Sirah dominates the robust blend The Boss. Albariño and rosé of Grenache are among the lighter wines. The storefront tasting space's sidewalk seating is good for people-watching. The rear patio is quieter.

Zinfandels and wines from sometimes obscure Rhône and Italian grapes draw a loyal following to the fun casual winery of George Unti and his sociable son Mick. Hosts pour wine in or outside a rustic-not-trying-to-be-chic tasting room. The Rhône reds, particularly two Syrahs and Cuvée Foudre (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre), tend to garner more critical notice than the Italians—Aglianico, Barbera, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and several blends—but all are well made. Reservations are recommended for weekends.

This contemporary timber-frame winery and tasting room on a sunny slope at the south end of Benton City is the brainchild of Chris Upchurch, founding winemaker of acclaimed DeLille Cellars and one of Washington's pioneers in aging wines in concrete tanks, a practice with Roman roots. Focused on sustainable vineyard management, his winery produces a short but critically acclaimed list of mostly Bordeaux-style wines.

Partial to wines and spirits that share a distinctive Spanish heritage, Vara announces itself rather subtly, with just a discreet sign at its main road turnoff. But stunning views along with its micro-tasting room, shop, and distillery await. Head inside or enjoy the shaded patio seating while tasting a flight of its award-winning sparkling Silverhead Brut (cava or rosado), whites (a delicious Albariño), vino tintos like their Tempranillo, or spirits like their High Desert Gin or Paso Uno Brandy, make their way to you. The new Vara tasting room in downtown Santa Fe also features wines, spirits, cocktails, and appetizers.

The tasting room at this pretty estate, which also features a lush rose garden that visitors can wander through, is more patio than indoors, although it is covered with a wooden roof and heated in the colder months. The wines—which can be tasted for free and come with a 45-minute wine education talk—include Cuvée Blanc, Primitivo, Barbera, and Nebbiolo among the dozen or so offerings. A wine cellar and dining room are available for private gatherings on a reservation-only basis. In the summer, the winery hosts a self-guided three-day Sip & Cycle event that starts at Varaison, with limited overnight accommodations available for an additional fee.

Taste wines by famed local vintner Steve Clifton (known for his Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Italian varietals like Barbera), feast on lunch and snacks at the on-site restaurant, and visit with farm animals (chickens, goats, llamas, sheep, miniature donkeys, and more) at this family-oriented tasting room, farm stand, and event center at an historic estate, established in 1853. If the weather’s balmy, sit on the patio overlooking the vineyard and listen to live music, which typically plays on weekends.

One of the largest producers of wines in the state is home to Four Monkey wines and Tombstone Red, which the winemaker claims is "great with scorpion, tarantula, and rattlesnake meat." Sample craft spirits (rum, whiskey, and brandy) next door at their distillery.

Chef, caterer, and restaurateur Leilani Baugh founded this tasting room and gallery spotlighting winemakers of color and women-owned wineries. Baugh drew inspiration from her dual African American and Asian heritage to create an inclusive upbeat environment for guests to explore high-profile and off-the-radar wines by the glass, flight, or bottle. A recent lineup included wines by the Mendoza family of Napa, musician Marcus Johnson, Napa winery consultant Heidi Peterson Barrett, and lawyer-winemaker Ivonne Zhu. To visit on Wednesday or Thursday, make an appointment a day or two ahead.

"European inspiration, California character" is the motto of this winery whose owners hail from Switzerland. The flagship Suendero wine is a lush blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. You can enjoy it along with some winery-only whites and reds at the large hospitality center.  The patio out back—outfitted with a fountain and a firepit and shaded by a large oak tree—is a nice relaxing space to hang out.

Napa design star Richard von Saal's concept for this St. Helena winery's downtown Napa salon exudes cushy luxury with white walls, rich green and charcoal-gray furniture, and brass trim. The glam setting suits Vineyard 29's two portfolio tiers: CRU for wines from grapes sourced from the Napa Valley to Oregon and Vineyard 29 for estate-grown wines. The latter label's focus is Cabernet Sauvignon, though the Aida Estate Zinfandel also shines. The introductory tasting of solely CRU wines reveals the wine-making sensibility, but consider a sampling of current Vineyard 29 releases or, for a deeper dive, a library tasting. Reservations are recommended on weekends.

"Vivác" means "high-altitude refuge," and that's a fitting name for this popular winery located at the junction on NM 68 (the Low Road) and NM 75 (which leads to the High Road). The family-owned vineyards and charming tasting room, with an adjacent patio, are surrounded by the dramatic sheer cliffs of the Rio Grande Gorge. The elegant, generally dry wines, feature a mix of mostly old-world grapes, including Dolcetto, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Grüner Veltliner. The tasting room also sells artisanal chocolates, cheese-and-charcuterie plates, jewelry, and contemporary art.

This sister winery to Hall St. Helena specializes in Pinot Noir from Sonoma County, Mendocino County, California's Central Coast, and Oregon's Willamette Valley and also produces Chardonnay. Just north of Sonoma Plaza, the tasting room occupies a mid-1930s Tudor-inspired home whose backyard tables sit beneath canary palms and a tall, double-trunk redwood tree. One tasting focuses on current releases. To see how the wines pair with food, make a reservation for Root 101, a showcase for single-vineyard Pinots that includes small bites. Another option involves chocolates.

To say that Pennsylvania wineries don't enjoy the greatest reputation would be an understatement. Jan and Kimberly Waltz coined the slogan "the wines that will change your mind," and there's actually a good chance they will. Varietals grown and vinified on the estate include Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. To go with your sipping, the tasting room offers local cheese and chocolate.

Home to the popular Winemaker's Grill restaurant, which serves dinner daily, this well-respected operation with a tasting room and wine bar is in the small North Shore town of Manson and makes a great stop whether you're thirsty, hungry, or both. In warm weather, have a seat on the patio and drink up the mountain views while enjoying a glass of wine. The winery won the top spot with its 2018 Cabernet Franc in the 2022 Sunset magazine International Wine Competition—the first Washington winery to win that honor.

Set on 75 acres, this tasting room has a spacious patio with an outdoor fireplace, hillside views, and beautiful landscaping and ponds. Waterbrook is best known for Merlots, Chardonnays, and Cabernets that are often served at restaurants in the area. They sell their Icon collection exclusively at the winery and online, offer wines conveniently packaged by the can, and also make both Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays in an alcohol-free format. An on-site café is open daily.

One of Yakima Valley's most buzzed-about winemakers, Wautoma Springs was founded by Jessica Munnell and Tom Merkle, two highly respected names in the state's viticultural community. They've quickly developed a following for a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with melon and grapefruit notes, and an inky reserve Malbec (it's actually named Inky) that you'll want to serve at your next steak dinner. The tasting room is in a newer section of Vintner's Village, in an airy, high-ceilinged building with comfy seating.

Just a short drive east of downtown, this long-established winemaker occupies a leafy hilltop with broad views of the surrounding mountains. Specialties include a fine Malbec, a well-respected Viognier, both conventional (crisp, minerally) a Barile dessert wine, and a nicely balanced Tempranillo. The winery also rents out a stylish one-bedroom cottage with a kitchen and hot tub for overnight stays.

About 10 miles east of Westport, stop by this winery anchored by a 40-foot-tall lighthouse, first and foremost taking a self-guided stroll through the 15 acres of gorgeously tended gardens and some 60 whimsical outdoor sculptures, and then visiting the quirky International Mermaid Museum, which contains exhibits on ocean ecology. Wine tastings are another event here, and about 30 varieties are offered, including a respectable Bordeaux blend, a Pinot Gris-Riesling blend, and an array of sweeter, sometimes fruit-based creations. The attractive Sea Glass Grill, open daily for lunch, specializes in contemporary American fare.

Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Viognier are the specialties of this boutique appointment-only winery with a tasting room inside a 19th-century French-style château. Hamden McIntyre, whose other Napa Valley wineries include the majestic Far Niente Winery in Oakville and Inglenook in Rutherford, designed this less showy yet still princely 1885 structure. Its tree-shaded patio is a civilized spot to enjoy a flight in good weather. The influence of winemaker Jamey Whetstone's mentor Larry Turley, known for velvety Zinfandels, is most evident in the Pinots and the Syrah (there's also a Cabernet Sauvignon), but their élan is Whetstone's alone.

This relative new kid in the valley has quickly earned kudos for its value-friendly bottles, many of them priced below the $25 mark, including a silky, steak-friendly Cabernet Sauvignon and a bright and light rosé that's ideal on a hot summer night of grilling. If visiting the high-ceilinged tasting room on a cool day, opt for a seat by the fireplace or out on the patio, which is warmed by a fire table and space heaters. 

This producer of mostly Spanish varietals, including a homegrown Syrah and Tempranillo, offers tastings on weekends from 11 am to 4 pm and by appointment.

One of Temecula's busiest tasting rooms sits amid inviting parklike grounds. Wilson Creek is known for its Almond sparkling wine, but it also produces appealing still wines. Among these the Petite Sirah, Viognier, reserve Merlot, white Cabernet Sauvignon, and bourbon-barrel Zinfandel all merit a taste. For the premier Library Collection, reservations are recommended for tastings. 

The tasting room looks over the acclaimed former Goldschmidt vineyard, first planted in 1974, and the view can be enjoyed on the outside deck on a warm summer day. Winemaker Robert Brittan crafts lush Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from several nearby vineyards in both single-vineyard offerings and blends from multiple vineyards. Proceeds from the tasting fee are donated to ¡Salud!, a nonprofit providing healthcare services to Oregon's vineyard workers and their families.

Founded by acclaimed winemaker Angela Jacobs, WineGirl Wines changed hands in 2020 but continues to welcome wine lovers to its attractive downtown tasting room. Sourcing grapes from vineyards in the Columbia Valley and Lake Chelan (where there's a second tasting room), WineGirl makes several red wines, including Malbec, Syrah, two Merlots, and two port-style wines, along with whites, rosés, and sparkling wine. The Pin-Up Girl wines are adorned with colorful vintage-style labels and include a Gewürztraminer called "Pretzel Girl" in honor of the Leavenworth vibe; it's a perfect souvenir. You can do a special tasting with red wines and chocolate. 

The Benedictine monks once cloistered at Holy Cross Abbey came to Cañon City for spiritual repose. But for the faithful who frequent the winery on the eastern edge of the property, redemption is more easily found in a nice bottle of Revelation, a Bordeaux-style blend. For a truly divine experience, reserve a wine and cheese tasting ($40 per person) on the terrace that includes a private hostess, a sampling of all wines, and an artisanal cheese, bread, fruit, and chocolate plate.

This award-winning winery features a 30-acre vineyard with hillside plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Touriga Nacional. The Craftsman-style lodge housing the winery and café offers tastings for a fee and serves lunch Thursday through Saturday from noon to 3, and a Sunday brunch with 12:30 and 2:30 seatings. Reservations are required. Wolf Mountain also offers quarterly gourmet dinners and tours of the grounds on selected weekends. Some of the winery's acclaimed labels include Plenitude, a 70% Chardonnay and 30% Viognier blend, and Instinct, a Rhône-style red blend.

Syrah, Petite Sirah, Riesling, and Teroldego join the expected Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as the stars at this family-run Edna Valley winery 6 miles south of downtown San Luis Obispo. The pourers are friendly, and you'll often meet one of the owners or their children in the tasting room. With its hillside views, the outdoor patio is a great place to enjoy an afternoon picnic (guests can bring their own food or pick up provisions from the on-site deli).

A former girlfriend bestowed the nickname "Wooden Head" on Nikolai Stez for his stubborn nature, but he also has a sense of humor, resurrecting the name years later for his winery. The meticulous, if idiosyncratic, winemaker has an impeccable pedigree, having begun his education working harvests for Burt Williams of the acclaimed Williams Selyem Winery, eventually becoming assistant winemaker there. Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are Woodenhead's focus, but don't miss the French Colombard, Chardonnay, and other whites. Tastings are relatively old-school, with most patrons perched on a deck overlooking Pinot Noir vines, a Russian River Valley panorama unfolding beyond them.

Lovers of fine wines make pilgrimages to this winery, 12 miles west of Walla Walla, for the superb Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots. Its 2017 Chardonnay was named "Best Splurge" by Seattle magazine. The winery's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon wine is produced in the Artist Series, which features a different label each year by West Coast artists. The tasting room doesn't require reservations, and you're welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy outside in the garden.