Beautiful vineyards span the USA — Photo courtesy of wharman
I realized when visiting family in New Mexico, Texas and Ohio and tasting their local wines, that Virginia wasn't alone in its quest for viticultural recognition.
Check out some of these other lesser-known wine regions across the U.S.
Check out some of these other lesser-known wine regions across the U.S.
Long Island, NY
In the past two decades, the wineries on Long Island have taken root and its 5 vineyards and more than 30 wineries are producing some of New York’s most coveted labels. It is here, on the North Fork that some of the country’s most distinctive Merlot’s are created and enjoyed thanks to the area’s perfect maritime climate.
Washington DC
When you’re traipsing through the halls of Congress or walking the length of the National Mall, it’s hard to believe that just 30 miles west of Washington, DC, lies one of the area’s most robust wine regions. In the past three decades, Loudoun County, Virginia, has put itself on the viticultural map with more than 140 wineries and a healthy production of award-winning Chardonnay.
Massachusetts
Even though its dozen-or-so wineries are scattered across the state, most of the grapes grown in Massachusetts are concentrated on the coast in places like Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island. Our favorites? The wines of Truro Vineyards on Cape Cod.
Ohio
Can you picture thousand of vinophiles from across the globe flocking to the Ohio River Valley to taste its world-renown champagne? Well, if it wasn’t for prohibition, this dream could have been a reality! The first champagne produced in America, Sparkling Catawba, was made here and Ohio quickly became the heart of the US wine country. A century later, wineries are making a comeback with close to 100 opening their doors for tastings.
Michigan
We tend to overlook Michigan when we talk about the best wine regions in the US, but it is actually one of the largest grape producers in the country. Granted, most of the grapes are turned into fruit juice for kids, but some grown-up juice is also produced by the 50 wineries near Lake Michigan.
Iowa
Iowa’s had some bad luck when it comes to its wine industry. First, it was Prohibition that shut down this once vibrant wine region. Then a massive storm in 1940 destroyed all grape vines in the area, but Iowans plowed onward; until a corn herbicide known 2,4-D blew into the vineyards and destroyed the crops. Today, wine makers are trying to make another go of it in the breathtaking Upper Mississippi Valley with a handful of vineyards.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin wine making has a long and prestigious history for it was here that the father of the California Wine Industry, Agoston Haraszthy, called home. Unfortunately, Haraszthy grew tired of the Midwest climate and sought more temperate lands to the west. Today, Wisconsin is staging a comeback that Haraszthy would be proud of, growing hybrid its own hybrid varieties and producing both grape and fruit wines.
Missouri
Believe it or not, Missouri actually has seven wine-growing regions, from the bluffs of the Missouri River Valley just outside of St. Louis, to the foothills of the Ozarks. Thanks to German settlers in the 19th century who came to America with clippings from their vineyards back home, Missouri now boasts a traditional Old World style of winemaking. And it was the rootstock of new Missouri grapevine that saved the French wine industry from complete destruction due to phylloxera in 1871.
Texas
The 600 vineyard acres that flank Highway 290 (aka Winery Road) produce grapes that supply more than 25 wineries in Texas Hill Country. And, since all things are bigger in Texas, the area is the second-largest wine producing region in the U.S., behind New York’s Finger Lakes.
New Mexico
When you first came across an array of New Mexico wines, it's easy to be skeptical – could grapes really grow well in this arid climate? Turns out I hadn’t read my ancient wine history as the shore of the Rio Grande were planted in the early 17th century and more than a million gallons of wine were being produced by the end of the 1800s. It was only after the river flooded at the turn of the century that New Mexico halted its production. Today wineries produce classic grapes varieties that love the hot days and cool nights.
In the past two decades, the wineries on Long Island have taken root and its 5 vineyards and more than 30 wineries are producing some of New York’s most coveted labels. It is here, on the North Fork that some of the country’s most distinctive Merlot’s are created and enjoyed thanks to the area’s perfect maritime climate.
Washington DC
When you’re traipsing through the halls of Congress or walking the length of the National Mall, it’s hard to believe that just 30 miles west of Washington, DC, lies one of the area’s most robust wine regions. In the past three decades, Loudoun County, Virginia, has put itself on the viticultural map with more than 140 wineries and a healthy production of award-winning Chardonnay.
Massachusetts
Even though its dozen-or-so wineries are scattered across the state, most of the grapes grown in Massachusetts are concentrated on the coast in places like Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island. Our favorites? The wines of Truro Vineyards on Cape Cod.
Ohio
Can you picture thousand of vinophiles from across the globe flocking to the Ohio River Valley to taste its world-renown champagne? Well, if it wasn’t for prohibition, this dream could have been a reality! The first champagne produced in America, Sparkling Catawba, was made here and Ohio quickly became the heart of the US wine country. A century later, wineries are making a comeback with close to 100 opening their doors for tastings.
Michigan
We tend to overlook Michigan when we talk about the best wine regions in the US, but it is actually one of the largest grape producers in the country. Granted, most of the grapes are turned into fruit juice for kids, but some grown-up juice is also produced by the 50 wineries near Lake Michigan.
Iowa
Iowa’s had some bad luck when it comes to its wine industry. First, it was Prohibition that shut down this once vibrant wine region. Then a massive storm in 1940 destroyed all grape vines in the area, but Iowans plowed onward; until a corn herbicide known 2,4-D blew into the vineyards and destroyed the crops. Today, wine makers are trying to make another go of it in the breathtaking Upper Mississippi Valley with a handful of vineyards.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin wine making has a long and prestigious history for it was here that the father of the California Wine Industry, Agoston Haraszthy, called home. Unfortunately, Haraszthy grew tired of the Midwest climate and sought more temperate lands to the west. Today, Wisconsin is staging a comeback that Haraszthy would be proud of, growing hybrid its own hybrid varieties and producing both grape and fruit wines.
Missouri
Believe it or not, Missouri actually has seven wine-growing regions, from the bluffs of the Missouri River Valley just outside of St. Louis, to the foothills of the Ozarks. Thanks to German settlers in the 19th century who came to America with clippings from their vineyards back home, Missouri now boasts a traditional Old World style of winemaking. And it was the rootstock of new Missouri grapevine that saved the French wine industry from complete destruction due to phylloxera in 1871.
Texas
The 600 vineyard acres that flank Highway 290 (aka Winery Road) produce grapes that supply more than 25 wineries in Texas Hill Country. And, since all things are bigger in Texas, the area is the second-largest wine producing region in the U.S., behind New York’s Finger Lakes.
New Mexico
When you first came across an array of New Mexico wines, it's easy to be skeptical – could grapes really grow well in this arid climate? Turns out I hadn’t read my ancient wine history as the shore of the Rio Grande were planted in the early 17th century and more than a million gallons of wine were being produced by the end of the 1800s. It was only after the river flooded at the turn of the century that New Mexico halted its production. Today wineries produce classic grapes varieties that love the hot days and cool nights.