The 5 US states with the best wineries, according to a sommelier

It’s no surprise that California is at the top of my list.

Napa Valley offers something special for both cabernet-sauvignon enthusiasts and those who enjoy luxurious tasting experiences. Key places to visit include Artesa Vineyards and Winery, Matthiasson Wines, and Quintessa Winery.

Sonoma has a more laid-back feel but equally good wine. My favorite spots in the region include Peay Vineyards and Chalk Hill Estate.

Paso Robles — between Los Angeles and San Francisco — has made quite the splash lately, with a spectrum of tasting experiences ranging from casual (Thacher Winery and Tablas Creek) to extreme luxury (Daou Vineyards or L’Aventure Winery).

Other notable wine regions in the Golden State include Lodi for more relaxed tastings, Santa Barbara for beachside sips, and Temecula for additional unique experiences (including hot-air-balloon rides).

The sprawling Willamette Valley begins just outside Portland. It’s a peaceful wine region with plentiful green scenery and fresh Pacific Northwest air.

The area focuses on cooler-climate chardonnay and pinot noir. In general, the wine-tasting rooms are more understated and chic.

CHO Wines, Abbey Road Farm Winery, and Brooks Winery are some of my favorite places to visit.

Don’t forget to check out the Rogue and Applegate Valleys in the southern part of the state. The climate is a little warmer, so you’ll find more diverse wine styles and wines made from many different grapes.

My top picks in the region are Troon Vineyard and Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, which have casual and outdoorsy vibes.

The Columbia Valley, which covers more than a quarter of Washington, is where most of the state’s wine is made.

The welcoming wine region focuses on Bordeaux-style reds made from cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and syrah (also known as shiraz) grapes.

The subregions of Walla Walla and Red Mountain zero in on quality. Plus, the proximity to the Columbia River Gorge, one of the most stunning landscapes in the state, is desirable.

Overall, Washington wine country is a well-rounded place to visit with something to suit all tastes. Must-visit tasting rooms include Three Rivers Winery, Frichette Winery, and Smak Wines.

Wine and tranquility aren’t the first things that come to mind when I think of New York, but the state’s Finger Lakes region is one of the most beautiful wine areas in the country.

It gets its name from the collection of 11 lakes that look like long, skinny fingers on a map. The area has a squarely cool climate and is known for wines made from aromatic white grapes like riesling and gewürztraminer, as well as red varieties such as cabernet franc and pinot noir.

Standout wineries include Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, and Ravines Wine Cellars.

You may think it’s too cold to grow grapes in Michigan, but the nearby Great Lakes help moderate the northern state’s temperatures.

The Traverse Wine Coast (along the Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas) is a great place to start. Riesling is king here, and the area’s views make it one of the state’s most desirable places to visit.

Check out Brys Estates and Black Star Farms Old Mission. For a unique wine-country experience, you can snowshoe through some of the vineyards in the winter.

In the state’s southwest corner, the Lake Michigan Shore area gives a strong showing with numerous small, family-owned wineries such as Cody Kresta Vineyard & Winery and Hickory Creek Winery.

This story was originally published on September 2, 2024, and most recently updated on March 12, 2026.