U.S. Wine Trails - The Perfect Weekend Getaway
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 states you wouldn't think of as wine producing states do in fact boast wineries that welcome you to taste and experience. Since wine growing is dependent on ideal grape growing conditions, you'll often find several wineries within easy driving distance from one another. From New England to the west coast and just about everywhere in between, you can experience some of America's finest award winning wines by touring a wine trail.
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.
When most people think of wine, they think of traditional wine producing states like California. And while California wine is the best known of all U.S. varieties, other states are equally proud of their wineries. Over two dozen states have officially designated wine trails, and most of these states contain several groups of wineries, perfect for tasting and touring.
For example, just to name a few states, there are multiple wine trails awaiting you in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Connecticut, and Missouri. Due to shipping laws, many of the wines from these wineries are only available within the respective state, although these laws are slowly changing.
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.
While many wine trails can be traveled in one day, consider adding an overnight stay to enhance your experience. Wine is a beverage to be savored and enjoyed leisurely. Give yourself ample time at each winery to relax and unwind. You'll likely find an enjoyable wine to enjoy later in the evening as you settle in for the night. Experience the local restaurants, chat up the local residents, and explore other attractions and points of interest.
Exploring a U.S. wine trail is a highly enjoyable weekend getaway, one you'll want to duplicate again and again. With so many small boutique wineries, you'll appreciate the chance to allow your palate and tastes to blossom. Best of all, no matter where home is, chances are there's a wine trail within a half day's drive. No matter the season, small friendly wineries are waiting for your visit, ready to share their handcrafted wines with pride.
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
About the Author
Jim Hofman is a free lance author specializing in wine and beer, and is the owner of several websites devoted to wine enjoyment. Jim and his wife produce a free bi-weekly newsletter, dedicated to introducing their readers to the many U.S. wine trails and the joy of wine travel.
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License, which means you may freely reprint it, in its entirety, provided you include the author's resource box along with LIVE links (without "nofollow" tags).
by: JimHofman
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