575 Best Sights in USA

If you miss the driveway to Tom and Kerry Eddy's hillside slice of paradise, you'll soon find yourself in Sonoma County—their tree-studded 22-acre property is that far north. Tom, the winemaker, and Kerry, a sommelier and talented sculptor who hosts most tastings, pour their wines by appointment. Except for the estate Kerry's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, the grapes come from sources as near as Calistoga and as far as New Zealand. A 1974 UC Davis graduate, Tom crafts mountain Cabernets with structure and elegance. They're the winery's stars, but he also produces several whites and Malbec, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and other reds. A visit here is enchanting.

Down a country lane less than 2 miles south of Healdsburg Plaza, James MacPhail's modest production facility seems well away from the upscale fray. MacPhail makes wines for Sangiacomo and other labels, but Tongue Dancer's Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are handcrafted labors of love. From choice vineyard sites, the small-lot wines impress—sometimes stun—with their grace, complexity, and balance. The flagship Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is poured at most tastings. Either the winemaker or his co-owner and wife, Kerry Forbes-MacPhail will host you, their aim to "create an approachable experience for guests we hope will leave as friends." It's best to book a day or more ahead.

Superior estate Chardonnay, dry Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and the Malbec-heavy Dragon's Tooth blend are the trademarks of this family-run winery founded in 1968. To find out how well Trefethen wines age, book a reserve tasting, which includes pours of limited-release wines and one or two older vintages. The terra-cotta-color historic winery on-site, built in 1886, was designed with a gravity-flow system, with the third story for crushing, the second for fermenting the resulting juice, and the first for aging. The wooden building is now the main tasting room. The early-1900s Arts and Crafts–style Villa, situated amid gardens, hosts Taste the Estate, whose food pairings include ingredients from the on-site culinary garden. All visits require a reservation.

The sight of sheep, guinea hens, a garden, pomegranate and other trees, and a slew of birds and bees at Tres Sabores—not to mention the heaping purple compost pile—reinforces a simple point: despite the Napa Valley's penchant for glamour this is, first and foremost, farm country. Owner-winemaker Julie Johnson specializes in single-vineyard wines that include Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel from estate-grown certified-organic Rutherford bench vines. She also excels with Petite Sirahs from dry-farmed Calistoga fruit, two whites, and the zippy ¿Por Qué No? ("Why not?") red blend. Tres sabores is Spanish for "three flavors," which to Johnson represents the land, her vines, and, as she puts it, "the spirit of the company around the table.” Appointment-only tastings are usually held outside.

Enjoy Yakima Valley views from the tasting room and grounds of this esteemed winery that uses the long-standing traditional method (méthode champenoise) to produce Champagne-style sparkling wines that rank among the best in the country. Favorites from the reasonably priced portfolio include creamy Chardonnay-based Blanc de Blancs, a mid-priced minerally Müller-Thurgau, and an elegant Syrah Brut.

Few winemakers in southern Oregon have a more devoted following than Troon, whose swanky tasting room and winery in the northern Applegate Valley is patterned after a French country villa. Troon produces relatively small yields of exceptional biodynamic wines, including some less typical U.S. bottles, such as Amphora orange wines and a revered Tannat.

Halfway between Wellfleet and Provincetown, this vineyard owned and operated by the Roberts family, makes several notable blends, both red and white. It also makes a red table wine that's flavored with cranberries and known for its unusual bottle, shaped like a lighthouse. There is also an aged rum, whiskey, and gin distillery on the property, South Hollow Spirits, which produces small-batch spirits; tours and tastings are available. They also host several popular wine and food events scheduled throughout the summer. It's a great place to picnic, and there's a food truck on-site.

This friendly winery on the fertile slopes of the Yakima River stands out both for its splendid gardenlike setting and its diverse selection of wines. You'll find everything here from peppery Carmeneres to inky Port-style Zinfandel dessert wines to lightly effervescent moscatos. 

It'd be easy to confuse this winery for its more famous neighbor to the north, Cakebread Cellars—William Turnbull designed the original buildings at each. Founded by the architect in 1979 and owned since 1993 by Patrick O’Dell, Turnbull produces richly textured Cabernets from Oakville and Calistoga vineyards. Winemaker Peter Heitz plays light with French oak or, in some cases, handmade Italian amphorae. Guests sip his estate wines indoors among curated shows of works from O'Dell's art and photography collection or outside on landscaped patios surrounded by vineyards. The social-media-friendly backdrops make for enticing shots, but there's an older Napa gentility to this appointment-only winery that even many locals haven't gotten around to visiting. Beat them to the punch—this place is worth it.

Take a trip back in time to when the Oregon wine industry was much smaller and more intimate. Utopia owner and winemaker Daniel Warnhius moved north from California looking for a vineyard site that would produce world-class Pinot Noir, and he found this location with the right combination of location, climate, and soil structure. Whether you sit in the tasting room or prefer to take in the views from the outdoor seating area, you're likely to be served by Daniel himself. In addition to several great Pinot Noirs, they also produce a bright, crisp Chardonnay, and a Pinot Noir Rosé.

In 2009, after participating in various aspects of the wine business—working in tasting rooms, as a harvest intern, at a wineshop, and at a custom-crush wine-making facility—Matt Duffy bought a ton of Pinot Noir grapes and launched Vaughn Duffy with his wife, Sara Vaughn. That first Pinot Noir garnered positive reviews. Since then, the two have added Pinot Noir blends and single-vineyard wines, along with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, rosé of Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. Poured at the label’s small tasting space, they’re reasonably priced given the high quality.

A consultant to a dozen wineries, Kirk Venge is an acknowledged master of fruit-forward but balanced Cabernet-heavy Bordeaux-style blends. At his casual ranch-house tasting room, flights that might start with Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, or Zinfandel set the stage for the Cabernet Sauvignons. With its views of the estate Bone Ash Vineyard and, west across the valley, Diamond Mountain, the ranch house's porch would make for a magical perch even if Venge's wines weren't treasures themselves. Tastings are by appointment, with same-day visits unlikely.

Set amid Chalk Hill's rolling countryside, Vérité earns consistently high scores for three collector-worthy Bordeaux-style blends—La Muse (Merlot-forward), La Joie (Cabernet Sauvignon), and Le Désir (Cabernet Franc)—whose grapes come from estate properties in four Sonoma County appellations. Since 2013, sixth-generation French-born winemaker Pierre Seillan has crafted these gems with his daughter, Hélène, and with no drop-off in quality: a top critic bestowed 100 points on her debut vintage. Tastings end with Le Diamante, a Sauvignon Blanc. The French-style hospitality makes a visit here enchanting. Appointments, required, are best made a week ahead.

Sophisticated whimsy is on full display at Chateau Potelle's tasting room. Jean-Noel Fourmeaux, the winery’s bon vivant owner, fashioned this jewel of a space out of a nondescript bungalow south of downtown St. Helena. The residence, decorated with contemporary art (some wine-themed), is the scene of leisurely paced, sit-down, appointment-only tastings, some accompanied by gourmet bites from Napa's La Toque restaurant. On Fridays, the chefs prepare a three-course lunch paired with six wines. Fourmeaux prefers fruit grown at higher elevations because he believes the extended ripening time grapes require in a cooler environment produces more complex and flavorful wines. His Cabernet Sauvignons and other reds support this thesis. The Chardonnays star among the whites.

On a 92-acre property with valley views west to the Mayacamas range, this boutique winery partway up Howell Mountain was established in 1986. Founder Delia Viader bucked conventional wisdom by planting her vines vertically down a 32% slope instead of terracing them horizontally. Smooth and supple yet intense and aromatic, the three principal red blends, these days assembled by her son Alan, are similarly atypical in that they're not, per Delia, "trying to hijack your palate with high tannins or alcohol." A curving knoll of oaks, madrones, and manzanitas separating two vineyard sections holds the winery and nearby appointment-only tasting room. The latter's vistas and terrace are as alluring as the much-sought-after wines.

The downtown tasting room of owner-winemaker Nathan Vader's boutique winery occupies a restored 1891 structure made of volcanic rock. Top Sierra Foothills vineyards supply grapes for his primarily reds lineup, led by best sellers Barbera and the Primitivo-based Phoenix blend. Merlot, Grenache, and the Venus red blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Cabernet Franc, rank among the other stars, served inside or on the shaded rear patio.

Fans of this down-home winery's flagship Petite Sirah snap it up so quickly that visitors to the plywood-paneled tasting room have to buy "futures" of wines still aging in barrels. The same holds true for other small-lot wines. Founder Vincent Arroyo replaced a prune orchard with Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon, and later Zinfandel, the winery's top sellers. Later came more acreage and Merlot, Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, and other grapes. These days, Vince's daughter, Adrian, and her husband—the current winemaker, Matthew Moye—own and run the appointment-only winery. The presentation here is charmingly old-school.

Owners Suzy and Jim Gullett draw raves for their Sangioveses, which range from light and fruity to rich and heavy. They also produce Rosato di Sangiovese (aka rosé), old-vine Zinfandel, and a few other varietals. Most tastings take place in the red barn where the couple began operations in the 1980s or on a nearby patio.

Not all volcanic soils are ideal for the cultivation of grapes, but this winery grows its own grapes and produces some interesting vintages. The Macadamia Nut Honey Wine is a nutty, very sweet after-dinner drink. The Infusion Tea Wine pairs estate-grown black tea with South Kona's fermented macadamia nut honey for a smooth concoction perfect for brunch through early evening. Though this isn't Napa Valley, the vintners take their wine seriously, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Wine tasting and flights are available; you can also enjoy wine and cheese inside or in a shaded picnic area. A gift store carries a selection of local crafts.

This valley-floor winery’s name and collector-worthy J.H. Wheeler label celebrate the Wheeler family, who owned a much larger parcel in the late 19th century. The current 11-acre property contains a flower and culinary garden, a small fruit orchard, and 7-plus acres of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, all farmed organically and biodynamically. One of two contemporary stained-cedar buildings holds a state-of-the-art winery and cellar, the other a handsome hospitality center. The latter space, with views north through floor-to-ceiling windows to Mt. St. Helena, comes off more upscale Wine Country living room than tasting venue. One experience involves small bites, two others full lunches. Appointments are required; call for same-day visits.

A visit to this family-owned winery can be an enlightenment with its combinations of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, and Pinot Noir. The winery is known for its big reds like Refugio Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as its Amour de L'Orange sparkling wine, which pairs well with breakfast dishes and hors d'oeuvres. There's live music Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 4 pm.

Sampling first-rate biodynamic vino, including an elegantly balanced Nebbiolo and an aromatic Viognier-Roussanne blend, is just part of the fun of visiting this eco-friendly winery high on a ridge overlooking breathtaking Cowiche Canyon. The property is laced with walking paths and gardens—you can even hike down into the canyon, joining its extensive network of trails. There are food trucks and live music from spring through fall, a great time of year to spread out on a blanket on the property's expansive lawn. There's also a distillery that produces organic grappas and brandies in imported copper stills.

Don't be surprised if someone in tie-dye greets you at the downtown salon of this winery whose labels psychedelic art whiz Stanley Mouse—known for his rock posters and Grateful Dead album covers—designs. The hippie ethos that begat the 1960s back-to-the-land movement survives and thrives in the wines, whose grapes come from vineyards cofounder Phil Coturri manages. Dubbed the "Wizard of Green” by Wine Spectator magazine, Coturri is an expert at organic and biodynamic viticulture. Grenache is a particular jam, but he coaxes the best out of whatever fruit he tends. Hosts pouring rosé, a Rhône white blend, Grenache, Zinfandel, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, or other wines are happy to explain Coturri's wine-growing philosophy—but only after you've selected some vinyl (classic jazz or rock) to accompany your session.

Another of Prosser's crop of younger wineries that have developed a big reputation, Wit Cellars offers tastings in a dapper space in Vintners Village. In addition to producing an eclectic array of superb wines, from a old-world-style Cabernet Franc to a late-harvest Riesling and a port-style Petit Verdot dessert wines, the winery stands out for its exceptionally welcoming staff.

Sister-and-brother team Lisa and Mark Mazzoni (she runs the business, he makes the wines) debuted their small winery's first vintage in 2014, but their Italian-American family's wine-making heritage stretches back more than a century. Zialena specializes in estate-grown Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon wines, some of whose lush mouthfeel derives from techniques Mark absorbed while working for the international consultant Philippe Melka. The Zin and Cab grapes, along with Sauvignon Blanc and Sangiovese for the seductive rosé, come from the 120-acre Mazzoni Vineyard, from which labels like Jordan also source fruit.

Most winery owners would love to be in Steve Zichichi's shoes: wines from his flagship vineyard, some of whose vines were planted in the 1920s during Prohibition, are largely sold out before they're bottled. As a result, customers of this northern Dry Creek Valley operation taste some wines while they're still aging in barrels and purchase "futures" available for shipping or pickup months or more later. The highlight, only sometimes available for tasting, is the Old Vine Zinfandel. Zichichi makes another Zinfandel and a Petite Sirah from his main vineyard and one of each from another Dry Creek property. There's also a 100% Cabernet from the Chalk Hill appellation. Tastings, by appointment, often take place on a porch overlooking the historic vines.

For her passion project, sixth-generation vintner Katie Bundschu, also involved in her family's historic Gundlach Bundschu winery, focuses on wines made from organic grapes grown in other family-owned, predominantly Sonoma County vineyards. Most of the wines are old-style field blends in which different types of grapes from the same vineyard are fermented and aged together rather than separately, as is more common these days. A recent vintage of the Makeshift red—Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Souzao, a Portuguese grape—hints at the experimentation going on here. You can sample the wines at a garden estate whose grape-growing history dates back nearly as far as the Bundschu family's.

Except for the production facility backing into tree-lined Sausal Creek, this family-owned winery's Mission-style hospitality space might be confused for an upscale residence, not inappropriate considering the founders' zeal to make guests feel, as one host describes, "like you're stepping into a friend or family member's home who just happens to have really cool wines." They're also well made, especially the Merlot-heavy Deeds proprietary red blend of Alexander Valley fruit and Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Most of the wines, which also include Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and rosé of Zinfandel, are produced in lots of as small as two barrels (about 50 cases).

An upbeat atmosphere prevails in the tasting space of this winery founded by former race-car driver Kevin Buckler and his wife, Debra. To produce its mostly small-lot wines, Adobe Road sources grapes from top-tier growers, among them Beckstoffer for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot; and Sangiacomo for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah from the Petaluma Gap AVA. The Cabernet and Malbec shine. A new combination tasting room, winery, and car museum along the waterfront at C and 1st Streets should open by late 2025.