Summer is a great time to enjoy wine (along with the rest of the seasons) — Photo courtesy of iStock / ViewApart
As one of the most recognized wine-producing regions in the world, California is responsible for around 80% of American wine.
But did you know that chilly Minnesota and other northern states have their own wine industries, made possible by varieties bred at the University of Minnesota? Or that wine has been created in New Mexico since the 17th century?
All 50 states in the union produce wine from grapes, fruit or honey, and this summer is the perfect time to try a bottle from each one.
Alabama
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In Jemison, visit Hidden Meadow Vineyard and try the muscadine dessert wine. It's a truly indigenous American variety of grapes that gets big respect in the South and does particularly well in Alabama.
Alaska
Try Bear Creek's award-winning strawberry rhubarb wine — Photo courtesy of Bear Creek Winery
Look to this northernmost state for fruit and grape blends such as Bear Creek Winery’s strawberry rhubarb wine. It's made with local produce which can be purchased fresh on-site, in season.
Arizona
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Arizona grape growers credit the diurnal shift in temperatures and seasonal storms for productive vineyards. Alcantara Vineyards makes a 2017 sauvignon blanc Yavapai County with estate-grown grapes to exhibit the local quality.
Arkansas
This Arkansas White is made from muscadines, as are many Southern wines — Photo courtesy of The Winery of Hot Springs; Jessica Wallace
The Winery of Hot Springs' Arkansas White is made with classic southern muscadine, which the winery claims is "nature’s healthiest grape."
California
Try this red blend from California — Photo courtesy of Bonny Doon Vineyard
It's incredibly difficult to choose just one wine from California, but we're going with Bonny Doon Vineyard's 2013 Le Cigare Volant, which is the 30th anniversary release of the flagship wine. Bonny Doon proprietor Randall Grahm has created an all-American project, Popelouchum, where he plans to breed 10,000 new grape varieties to create a true vin de terroir California wine.
Colorado
This Colorado merlot is sure to impress — Photo courtesy of Colterris Winery
Colterris Winery in Palisade has three wines included in the 2018 Colorado Governor’s Cup collection. We recommend the 2016 Estate Collection Riverside Vineyard merlot, which is made with 100% estate-grown Colorado grapes.
Connecticut
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Taylor Brooke corot noir is a pinot noir-style hybrid developed for cooler climates and shorter growing seasons, as experienced in Connecticut.
Delaware
This white from Delaware should be on your summer wine list — Photo courtesy of Lauren Watras / Harvest Ridge Winery
Harvest Ridge Winery in Marydel makes White No. 47 from estate-grown Vidal blanc. Late harvest Vidal blanc is also used to make a dessert wine.
Florida
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San Sebastian Winery is located in St. Augustine, which some historians believe may be the birthplace of American wine, with a history dating back to 1562. Wines are made from Florida fruit, highlighting the native muscadine including Carlos, Welder and Noble varieties. Try Vintners Red or White for a taste of Florida.
Georgia
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Habersham Vineyards and Winery’s Georgia Creekstone cabernet sauvignon is estate-grown and aged in Hungarian Oak.
Hawaii
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Volcano Winery’s award-winning Macadamia Nut Honey wine is made from local honey for a truly unique Hawaii product.
Idaho
Grapes used to make this wine come from Skyline Vineyards and Emerald Slope — Photo courtesy of Fujishin Family Cellars
Idaho is turning heads in the wine world, and Fujishin Family Cellars' tempranillo 2016 is made with 100% Snake River Valley fruit.
Illinois
Is it really summer without a nice bubbly rosé? — Photo courtesy of John Boehm / Illinois Sparkling Co.
Illinois Sparkling Co. makes award-winning bubbles and one to try this summer is the Brut Ombré Rosé, made from 100% Illinois-grown Chambourcin.
Indiana
This chardonel was just released in July — Photo courtesy of Butler Winery
Butler Winery has been making wine in Indiana Uplands AVA since 1983. Try the estate-grown 2018 Butler Vineyards chardonel.
Iowa
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Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery has been a working family farm for five generations. For a taste of Iowa wine, sample the Saint Croix, which the winery believes could be "Iowa’s premier red wine grape."
Kansas
If you like gewürztraminer, you'll probably love this traminette — Photo courtesy of Cindy Reynolds / Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery
Somerset Ridge Vineyards and Winery makes a wonderful dry traminette from 100% estate-grown grapes.
Kentucky
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River Valley Winery in the heart of the Ohio River Valley makes its cabernet sauvignon from 100% Kentucky-grown fruit.
Louisiana
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Louisiana food enthusiast Jay Ducote and Landry Vineyards owner and winemaker Jeff Landry paired up on Louisiana-grown Jay D's blanc du bois dry, made to pair well with classic Louisiana food.
Maine
For something a bit different, try the Morphos — Photo courtesy of Oyster River Winegrowers
Oyster River Winegrowers’ 2018 Morphos is a pét-nat, a slightly bubbly wine that experienced part of its fermentation in the bottle. Native yeasts are used and winemaker Brian Smith keeps things low-tech with minimal intervention.
Maryland
Great attention to detail goes into the making of this wine — Photo courtesy of Karlie Cook
Old Westminster Winery & Vineyard's vin doux naturel is made sustainably and by hand with 100% Maryland fruit, like every wine produced by this family-run establishment.
Massachusetts
Find fruit and herbal flavors in this signature wine — Photo courtesy of Organic Photography
Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod is a maritime vineyard and the sole vinifera vineyard in the area. Try the 2016 Truro Vineyards cabernet franc, which is the winery’s signature variety.
Michigan
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Grand Mark Methode Champenoise from Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant is bubbly, made from 100% Lake Michigan Shore AVA Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Tabor Hill’s wines have even been served in the White House.
Minnesota
Flavors of apricot and tangerine complement this new grape variety — Photo courtesy of Saint Croix Vineyards
Saint Croix Vineyards’ La Crescent is a new University of Minnesota variety, made to withstand the short growing season and cool climate of this northern state. This wine won the Minnesota Governor’s Cup at the 2010 International Cold Climate Wine Competition.
Mississippi
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Old South Winery in Natchez was founded in 1979 by local veterinarian Scott Galbreath and his wife Edeen. The younger generations are at the helm of this family-run operation now. Try Blueberry Thrill, a sweet fruit wine made from Mississippi blueberries.
Missouri
This dry vignoles is described as fruity and satisfying — Photo courtesy of Heather Bitter
Noboleis Vineyards is located in Augusta AVA, the first-ever recognized official American wine growing region. Try the dry vignoles for a taste of this beautiful area.
Montana
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Hidden Legend Winery's marechal foch is made from a French hybrid grape that can withstand freezing temperatures longer than most other varieties.
Nebraska
Enjoy hits of berry and cherry in this red — Photo courtesy of Nissen Family
Nissen Wine's Sam Bass Outlaw Trail red wine is made from Nebraska grapes grown in two vineyards located on the Outlaw Trail. That's 231 miles of scenic Highway 12, which runs from Sioux City to Valentine, honoring the routes of "Native American Tribes, outlaws, cowboys and pioneers," according to the winery.
Nevada
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"Nevada’s winery in the desert," Pahrump Valley Winery is located to the west of Mount Charleston on the California-Nevada border. Their Nevada Ridge primitivo is an award winner.
New Hampshire
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Jewell Towne Vineyards states it's the oldest winery in New Hampshire. Their Vidal ice wine is made from 100% estate-grown fruit.
New Jersey
This wine is named after the roses that anchor the ends of the vineyard rows — Photo courtesy of Luv Lens
Beneduce Vineyards produces its Row’s End dry rosé from Hunterdon County grapes. They are the proud winner of the N.J. Wine Competition's "Best Rosé Wine" category.
New Mexico
This chenin blanc is described as fresh and mellow — Photo courtesy of Lescombes Family Vineyards
Lescombes Family Vineyards cultivates more than 50 varieties in its Grant County vineyards grown at a high desert elevation topping out at 4,200 feet. Try the D.H. Lescombes chenin blanc named after Hervé Lescombes, a Burgundian winemaker who settled in New Mexico and planted vineyards.
New York
This rosé tastes as good as it looks — Photo courtesy of Bedell Cellars
Wine at Bedell Cellars on the North Fork of Long Island is thoughtfully crafted by Rich Olsen-Harbich, winemaker and author of the Long Island wine-growing appellation. Their Taste rosé 2018 is made with sustainably grown estate fruit and features a stunning label by artist Barbara Kruger.
North Carolina
Sampling this Biltmore wine on estate grounds is worth the trip — Photo courtesy of The Biltmore Company
The Biltmore Estate is a North Carolina classic. A must-try is the Biltmore Estate brut, a high-scoring bubbly blend of chardonnay and pinot noir.
North Dakota
Grown in cold weather, but sure to warm you up — Photo courtesy of Fluffy Fields staff
Fluffy Fields Vineyard and Winery makes its own wine from cold-climate tolerant vineyards in North Dakota (and some fruit from Minnesota and Iowa). The 2018 Wind Chill Red is a blend of hardy Marquette and King of the North cold climate grape.
Ohio
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Heineman Winery in Put-in-Bay has been around since 1888, and their Watersnake Noiret earned a gold at the 2017 Great American Wine Competition. Not familiar with Noiret? It’s a Cornell University hybrid with rich color, peppery notes and balanced tannins.
Oklahoma
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At Woods and Waters Winery and Vineyard in Western Oklahoma, enjoy a meal and view with your glass of wine. Try the Catoosa Port, named after one of the largest inland river ports in the U.S., located near Tulsa.
Oregon
Drink guilt-free with this sustainable wine from Stoller — Photo courtesy of Stoller Family Estate
Oregon is rich with world-class wine and a beautiful atmosphere that draws in visitors year-round. It’s difficult to choose a single spot to highlight, but Stoller Family Estate is an authentic Dundee Hills producer, with an eye on sustainability as the world's first LEED Gold certified winemaking facility. Try the 2016 Dundee Hills pinot noir for a taste of this exceptional growing region.
Pennsylvania
This wine is known for its wonderful complexity — Photo courtesy of Va La Vineyards
Just outside of Philadelphia in Avondale, Va La Vineyards produces high-quality, small-batch wines from northern Italian varieties. If you can get it, a bottle of Mahogany Va La shows off the potential of the black mushroom soils of this vineyard through a blend of eight grape varieties.
Rhode Island
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Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard is definitely worth the charming drive to Little Compton. Rhode Island Red is a multi-award-winning blend of chancellor, cabernet franc and lemberger.
South Carolina
Muscadine wine is popular in the South — Photo courtesy of Deep Water Vineyard
"Muscadines, once thought of as the fountain of youth, have been praised for significant levels of resveratrol, an organic molecule and powerful antioxidant," according to Deep Water Vineyard. Of the South Carolina-grown muscadine bottles, sample Lowcountry Red, made from Ison muscadines. It's a dry and full-bodied bottle crafted for the farm-to-table dinners iconic of Charleston.
South Dakota
Notes of pineapple and citrus add to this wine's refreshing quality — Photo courtesy of Strawbale Winery
The American frontenac gris says it in the name – this winery symbolizes a simpler time in our country, with a homestead setting at Strawbale Winery. All of the grape wines (Strawbale also makes wine from other fruits) are South Dakota-grown and bottled on-site in the winery’s straw-insulated facility.
Tennessee
If you like your rosé dry and crisp, this is the wine for you — Photo courtesy of Spout Spring Estates
Spout Spring Estates is located about 35 miles northeast of Knoxville in a beautiful setting. The dry Appalachian rosé is made from estate-grown Grainger County Sangiovese.
Texas
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Stone House Vineyard overlooks Lake Travis in the Texas Hill Country, one of America’s most engaging wine regions. The 2017 Claros is made from estate-grown Norton, a grape native to the U.S. that Stone House excels in cultivating and producing.
Utah
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Castle Creek Winery is located near Moab on the Colorado River. Vineyards here are planted in the red rock soil characteristic of the region, reminding wine lovers that place is essential in wine grape growing. Try the chenin blanc, an award-winning, estate-grown bottle.
Vermont
Figure 2 2018 is made from grapes that can withstand a cold climate — Photo courtesy of James Buck of Seven Days
Iapetus Wine, in Vermont’s Champlain Valley recognizes wine as a reflection of the environment, landscape and history. A true connection to place, Iapetus uses "yeast foraged from the vineyard microbiome" in Shelburne Vineyard. Sample Figure 2 2018, a pét-nat made of 100% La Crescent.
Virginia
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There is a lot of great wine in Virginia, but any round-up of all-American wine should include a bottle influenced by founding father and wine-lover, Thomas Jefferson. Visit Stinson Vineyards near Charlottesville, along the Monticello Wine Trail, and sample the rosé of Tannat, a rare and beautiful bottle.
Washington
This cabernet sauvignon is described as rich and bold — Photo courtesy of Maryhill Winery
Maryhill Winery's 2015 cabernet sauvignon Otis is harvested from Otis Vineyard, home of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in Washington, situated in Yakima Valley AVA.
West Virginia
This white is semi-sweet — Photo courtesy of WineTree Vineyards
WineTree Vineyards produces traminette, a Cornell University hybrid of Joannes Seyve and Gewürztraminer grapes. "During primary fermentation, the floral bouquet of this wine could be sensed throughout the neighborhood," the winery says.
Wisconsin
Get a taste of Wisconsin with this cherry wine — Photo courtesy of Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery
Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery in Wisconsin’s Door County is a beautiful stop on any trip to the state. For a true taste of the region, sample the Door County cherry wine, one of the region’s most prominent products and a delight for summer sipping.
Wyoming
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Table Mountain Vineyards is the product of Patrick Zimmerer’s senior thesis project on the topic of vineyard establishment in Wyoming. Now his land cultivates 12 grape varieties. Try Cowboy Reserve, made of frontenac for a dry and earthy taste of Wyoming.
