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Wine tours have long been popular excursions for wine lovers and those who enjoy beautiful, lush scenery. But no longer will you need to travel to France or Napa Valley for a wine tour getaway, as specialty wine trails in just about every state are catering to wine travel fans. The United States has over 6000 wineries, with at least one in every state. Many states boast specialty wine regions, with clusters of wineries grouped together in close proximity for an ideal weekend getaway.

Many small independent wineries have found grape growing conditions ideal in select geographic areas around the country. More and more of these wineries are being recognized for prestigious wine awards at national tastings and competitions. It’s a fun and fascinating experience to see these wineries up close and personal, perhaps even rubbing shoulders and sharing a glass with the wine makers.

An actual wine trail is usually designated a state’s tourism commission, with routes clearly marked for easy driving. Wineries range from small farm wineries to those more well known in a particular region or within the wine industry in general. Each produces their own unique specialties, with sufficient variety to suit anyone’s palate.

Most domestically produced wine available to U.S. consumers comes from California, but other states are narrowing the gap. Just as California’s Napa Valley and other prolific wine growing areas are wine tourism magnets, so too are other wine areas in the country. To cite just one example, our recent research trip to Arkansas acquainted us with their beautiful wine country and wine trail in the western part of the state.

Another example is Missouri, where there are 75 wineries, many with their wine making roots going back 150 years. These midwestern states, along with many in the eastern part of the U.S., are the forefathers of the American wine industry. There are many largely undiscovered treasures that await in dozens of other states as well.

You’ll find that a wine trail wine tour is easy to navigate, as most wineries on the trail are in close proximity. Usually, it’s a 10 or 15 minute drive between wineries, at most. Also, you’ll encounter some charming small towns with local restaurants, attractions, friendly inns, and bed and breakfasts. With most wineries open year around, any season is the perfect time for your wine travel experience.

Having experienced and enjoyed many wine trails across the country, we can state that the best thing we packed was an open mind. There are thousands of grape varieties being grown and cultivated, resulting in hundreds of different wine styles. These small wineries enjoy experimenting and trying new approaches, so leave any preconceptions at home and enjoy the opportunity to try a new take on an old favorite.

Whenever we travel a wine trail, we always add in an overnight stay. This allows us to relax and enjoy wine as it was meant to be enjoyed. It’s particularly enjoyable to try local restaurants and their regional specialties. You’ll even be able to break up the wineries into two seperate days, which will help keep you and your palate sharp.

Wineries along any U.S. wine trail are happy and proud to share their offerings, no matter what season you visit. You’ll be able to experience new wines and explore charming small towns. Best of all, no matter where home is, there’s a wine trail within a half days drive, making local wine travel a highly enjoyable and educational weekend getaway.

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