Discover America’s premier wine regions through unforgettable road trips, combining scenic drives with charming towns and diverse experiences beyond just wine. From New York’s Finger Lakes, celebrated for Riesling and waterfront vistas, to California’s iconic Highway 1 route from Santa Barbara to Carmel-by-the-Sea, offering dramatic coastal views and luxurious stays.
Explore Washington’s Walla Walla Valley from Seattle, boasting rolling vineyards and a burgeoning culinary scene. Texas Hill Country showcases a rapidly growing wine industry and refined regional cuisine. Virginia’s historic Monticello Wine Trail honors the state’s viticultural heritage, while Oregon’s Willamette Valley (Portland to Eugene) shines for its acclaimed Pinot Noir and vibrant food scene. These multi-day journeys offer ample opportunities to savor local culture, food, and stunning landscapes.
From leisurely drives through mountain passes to legendary coastal routes, there’s no better way to experience America’s best wine regions than with a good-old-fashioned road trip. Many of the country’s most esteemed wine-producing areas, from the Finger Lakes to Walla Walla Valley, are not only breathtakingly scenic, but full of charming towns for pit stops that are best accessed by car. Exploring these regions with a road trip over several days—with ample breaks between vineyard visits to eat, stroll, and even spa—allows you to experience so much more than just the wine.
Whether you want to enjoy dramatic landscapes between laidback wineries or sip Bordeaux blends at historic inns, the itineraries below provide plenty of inspiration for your next road trip.
The Seneca Lake Loop, New York
If waterfront vistas, trolley rides, and unpretentious tasting rooms sound like your scene, set out on Central New York’s Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Named Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 American Wine Region of the Year, the Finger Lakes are within a five-hour drive of several major metropolises, including New York City and Philadelphia.
Among the waterways, Seneca Lake has the highest concentration of wineries, many known for their Riesling, Pinot Noir, and ice wines. Brittany Gibson, executive director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, recommends family-owned Fox Run Vineyards for an in-depth, hands-on look at the winemaking process. (They offer tours of their winemaking facility seven days a week, all year round.) She also recommends off-the-beaten-path Boundary Breaks Vineyard, which has an on-site dog park and private patios for peaceful lakeside tasting.
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Stop by Keuka Outlet Trail for a leisurely, under-the-radar nature escape with waterfalls and winding streams, as well as nearby Shtayburne Creamery for ice cream and cheese flights. Just before rounding the lake’s northern edge, roam Geneva’s Linden Street, a quaint, walkable neighborhood of historic buildings and wine bars. Cabin and cottage rentals complement Seneca’s homey atmosphere, but for upscale lakeside stays, head to Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel or the romantic Idlwilde Inn.
Read our full insider’s guide to the Finger Lakes from WE Writer-at-Large Christina Pickard.
Santa Barbara to Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Few roads in America can rival the epic coastal views of Highway 1, which re-opened earlier this year after having been closed since January 2023. A journey from Santa Barbara to Carmel-by-the-Sea, including a lengthy sojourn in Big Sur, lets you experience some of the West’s best wines, luxe hospitality, and dramatic scenery. Start in Santa Barbara’s lively Funk Zone neighborhood to hit the buzziest restaurants and tasting rooms, or if history and relaxation are your top priorities, base yourself in the colonial-era Presidio neighborhood, which boasts Lobero Theatre, the state’s oldest continuously operating theatre since 1873. Centrally located stays at the boutique Riviera Beach House and the Spanish-style Kimpton Canary Hotel (don’t miss the glam rooftop pool) make it easy to explore it all before heading south.
In Big Sur, stay at the serene, clifftop Post Ranch Inn for the region’s most luxurious accommodations, or enjoy the cozy riverside cabins at Ripplewood Resort. Dine at Wine Enthusiast editor-favorite Solstice to sample a selection of Monterey’s best wine, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. End your journey on the cobblestone streets of Carmel-by-the-Sea, with standouts De Tierra and Galante Wines among the storybook town’s best tasting rooms.
Read WE Writer-at-Large Matt Kettmann’s dreamy guide to eating, drinking, and vibing in Big Sur.
Seattle to Walla Walla Valley, Washington
There are several ways to get from the Emerald City to the world-class Pacific Northwest wine destination, including stunning byways through Yakima River Canyon and Olympic National Park, so take your pick. The best routes by car include stopovers within the historic Yakima Valley AVA and its sub-AVAs, a region where over one-third of Washington’s grapes—and more than 70% of the country’s hops—are grown.
Picturesque Walla Walla Valley went through a third wave of growth in the early 2020s, with a host of rolling vineyards opening alongside new restaurants and hotels. Morgan Davis, general manager of retro-chic downtown hotel The Finch, recommends starting at Walla Walla Vintners. The vineyard sits at the base of the Blue Mountains, offering stunning alpine views to the east and lavender-tinged sunsets to the west. She also suggests heading to Tranche Estate to enjoy live music with locals and stopping by art-focused Dama Wines downtown, which features the work of a local creative on every label. If you can, snag a reservation at 18-seat Bar Bacetto for James Beard Award-nominated Italian cuisine.
Get more inspiration from our guide to the best wineries (and more) to visit in Walla Walla Valley.
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Texas Hill Country
The state’s wine scene continues its meteoric rise, solidifying Texas Hill Country’s reputation as a dream destination for wine lovers. The scenic route between San Antonio and Austin goes through the best of Texas Hill Country, including a dense cluster of wineries along the U.S. Route 290 through Fredericksburg. There are private barrel room tours and tastings at Becker Vineyards, one of the most awarded wineries in the state.The sweeping Hill Country views and celebrated Riesling at Invention Vineyards are also worthy of a visit.
Nearby, Cabernet Grill serves refined Texas classics, like Gulf shrimp and grilled quail, and an entirely Texan wine list. Book Stonewall Motor Lodge’s apropos accommodations to embrace a nostalgic roadside ambiance, or opt for the fairytale stone cottages at Cotton Gin Village. Then, extend your drive to Austin with a stay on Sage Hill Inn & Spa’s tranquil 88 acres, and be sure to set aside time to enjoy the state capital’s budding wine scene.
We’ve rounded up the best wineries (and more) to visit in Texas right now.
The Monticello Wine Trail, Virginia
Virginia’s viticulture shares a founding father with the nation itself, though the state’s thriving 4,000-plus acres of vineyards likely surpass even Thomas Jefferson’s grandest visions. Setting out on the Monticello Wine Trail, which encompasses 2023 Wine Region of the Year Charlottesville, is a fitting celebration for America’s 250th birthday. According to Richard Leahy, author of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines, the Evolution of Quality Wine in Virginia, Barboursville Winery—the state’s oldest and largest vineyard—is not to be missed. Their signature wine is Octagon, named in tribute to ruins of a home designed by Jefferson on the vineyard’s grounds. Stay at the 1804 Inn and Cottages for full immersion. Leahy also suggests sampling a wide range of Virginia’s best at Horton Vineyards and making a visit to Loving Cup, the state’s only certified organic vineyard. On the eastern side of the trail, you’ll find fantastically scenic roadways and acclaimed vineyards tucked into the bases of Blue Ridge peaks, including King Family Vineyards and Afton Mountain Vineyards.
For the full experience, work your way through the 10 best wineries to visit in Virginia.
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Portland to Eugene, Oregon
Willamette Valley’s coveted Pinot Noir earned its reputation as the “Burgundy of the United States,” and winemakers continue to elevate its Chardonnay and sparkling offerings. From Portland, explore the region via Oregon Route 99. Elaine Heide, wine director at the idyllic Allison Inn & Spa, says a drive across beautiful Worden Hill Road in Dundee Hills, one of Willamette’s 11 sub-AVAs, is the best way to take it all in. There, Granville Wine Co. combines vast views with a sampling of wines from across the valley, while Soter Vineyards’ farm-to-table pairing menu in the nearby Yamhill-Carlton AVA makes a memorable lunch stop. Travelers should also dedicate a day to the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, where Corollary Winery exclusively serves Oregon sparklers and Brooks Winery crafts some of the region’s only (and best) Riesling. Beyond wine, Willamette has become a star on the national culinary stage: Chef Timothy Westall won a James Beard Award for his work at Antica Terra, and, according to Heide, the hyper-seasonal Hayward Restaurant is also among Willamette’s best, with a menu of Northwestern fare that changes weekly.
Don’t miss the buzzy Willamette Valley restaurants that are putting the area on the culinary map.
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