Nothing beats a glass of wine amongst loved ones, on a fun girls trip, or with friends soaking up some summer sun. Vineyards and wineries will create summer blends that are refreshing and light, letting you enjoy being outside without getting too tired. Some of the classic summer wines to look out for are Rose, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Whether you prefer whites, reds, or even rose, you will certainly want to find a backdrop that is summery and fun as well!

There are wineries across the country that make for the best weekend trips you could ask for. From outdoor patios to tastings in chilled rooms, and cooled glasses of wine, any of these amazing wineries will be the perfect spot to head to this summer.

Best Wineries to Visit in the U.S.

RGNY

North Fork, New York

The North Fork of Long Island, New York has been known for a long time as a primer wine destination. Close enough to New York City that this can be a day or weekend trip, RGNY is a sustainable winery perfect for tastings or events you may want to host. It is a great starting spot before going on a wine tour of the North Fork, or a place you can hang out all day.

Darioush

Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley is also one of the most popular wine destinations for people to travel to for bachelorette trips or romantic getaways. And at Darioush, you will be amazed by this stand-out location and atmosphere as you sip on their famous red blends. The winery is modeled after the owners Persian heritage and you can feel the culture and history merge with the culture and notoriety of Napa Valley. You can book a wine tour through the vineyard or a table in their wine garden to enjoy with your travel companions.

Tank Garage Winery

Calistoga, California

Tank Garage Winery is one of the most unique wineries you can visit this summer. It is housed in a gas station that was built in the 1930s that has been converted into a hip summer spot for wine tastings. The tastings include seasonal wines, including traditional reds and whites. But they also have orange wine and natural wines to taste as well. These wines arent sold in stores or offered in restaurants, so make sure to bring home a bottle of your favorites.

Scribe Winery

Sonoma, California

Scribe Winery is known for being as California and Californian wineries can be. They have really leaned into the cool, laid-back nature of Californias history in a way that doesnt seem overly curated (but definitely is). You will walk past rows of palm trees and grapes on the vine as you sip on delicious, summer wines. You do need to be a member of the Scribe Viticultural Society to enjoy the winery, but it is a free club to join and well worth the signup.

Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards

Verde Valley, Arizona

Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards is a boutique winery owned by TOOL front man Maynard Hames Kennan with his wife Jennifer. Their wines are known for being very unique around the Verde Valley and Sedona. The tasting rooms are located in towns, but if you want a really special moment while in Arizona, you can book a tour of the vineyards. With the desert as their background, it is a tour worth doingtruly stunning!

Wolffer Estate

Sagaponack, New York

If you summer in the Hamptons and dont want to travel to the North Fork, Wolffer Estate in Sagaponack is a delightful option to stay on the south shore. The aesthetic of Wolffer Estates is perfect for those looking to be immersed in summer vibes. You can attend yoga in the vines events, which are put on between May and October every year. Head winemaker Roman Roth also takes Wolffer Estate clients on a Rhone River cruise in France, if you want to extend your time with Wolffer Estates.

Red Tail Ridge

Penn Yan, New York

Red Tail Ridge is New Yorks only LEED Gold-certified winery. They use traditional European grape variations, like Riesling and lagrein grapes. The winery itself is a completely sustainable and is a great backdrop for a wine weekend if you prefer modern architecture over the barn look many wineries have.

Folktale Winery

Carmel, California

Much like the name implies, just like our favorite fairytales growing up that enchanted us, the wines created at Folktale Winery will tell a story with each sip. Folktale has received various accolades, including Best Place for Day Drinking and Best Winery to Visit in Monterey County. Not only can you sip on summer blends in their wine garden, but also listen to weekly live music and enjoy small plates of inventive foods, or pizzas. There is also a gift shop on site that features crafts from local artists. 

Kita Wines

Santa Ynez Valley, California

Going to Kita Wines is an amazing way to support women in the wine-making business. The founder and owner, Tara Gomez, is a force to be reckoned with among Indigenous and LGBTQ winemakers. You can enjoy Kita Wines and the Camp 4 Vineyards with a tour. The vineyards are actually owned by the tribe that Gomez is a part of the Chumash Indians. Tours help support the tribes tourism development and are well worth it.

Remy Wines

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Remy Wines is a charming winery in the Willamette Valley. Housed at her familys farmhouse, you can tour the grounds and enjoy a summer day in Oregon sipping on wine that has long been a staple in the community. Owner Remy Drabkin is a well-known face in the Oregon wine circle, holding many public leadership positions and creating the Wine Country Pride events.

Arrigoni Winery and Cider Company

Portland, Connecticut

There is so much to do during the summer at Arrigoni Winery and Cider Company that you can spend a whole weekend just here. They put on yoga and paint night, pairing dinners, live music entertainment, and have a couple of food trucks to choose from. Besides refreshing wines, you can also sample fun ciders with flavors like maple, blueberry ginger, or vanilla. There are also more than 20 wines here for you to choose from as well.

Frichette Winery

Benton City, Washington

You can visit Frichette Winery in the Red Mountain wine region of Washington state. You can sip on their famous red blends either inside or on their large patio that overlooks the vineyard below and the mountains. Sip on a wine flight and enjoy a cheese plate knowing that a portion of what you spend will be sent back to the community and to local nonprofits. 

Bluemont Vineyard

Bluemont, Virginia

One of the best wineries to go to in Virginia is Bluemont Vineyard. You can not only stay in one of their onsite cottages, but you are also close to the very charming town of Bluemont. Enjoy the tasting room or head to the patio that overlooks the Blueridge Mountains. And if you fall in love with the vineyard during the summer, come back during the Christmas season to see the vines adorned with lights.

Round Barn Estate

Baroda, Michigan

Round Barn Estate has received national recognition by USA Today for being one of the best wineries for live music in the United States. Live music is put on every weekend from Memorial Day through Labor Day. They also have hiking trails on the property that you can enjoy between them and Tabor Hill Winery as you sip on your favorite glass of wine.

Croteaux Vineyards

Southhold, New York

Nothing says summer wines like a rose does. And at Croteaux Vineyards, you can expect the best roses because that is all they make. They only harvest vinifera grapes, which make noteworthy refreshing roses. And every year, they released a new rose vintage, which is very popular among the loyal buyers of Croteaux wines. They also have a picturesque tasting garden, adorned with weeping cherry trees and a barn.

Oeno

Kailua, Hawaii

Oeno is a unique winerythey let you create your own bottle! And not just the label, you can create what grapes from all over the world you want in your unique blend. Of course, they will help you pick out what tastes and flavor notes go best together. They only use wines without preservatives, making the tastes very smooth and refreshing, They are also the only winery on Oahu, which is a great summer vacation destination itself.

Luna Rossa Winery

Deming, New Mexico

Luna Rossa Winery only uses grapes grown in New Mexico in their wines. The grapes come from places like Spain, Italy, and Germany, and have adapted to growing in New Mexicos desert climate. Their pinot grigio is award-winning and they have a lovely malbec that has tasting notes of tobacco and violet. They also have a location in Las Cruces, which has a restaurant attached with yummy pizzas.

Fireside Winery

Marengo, Iowa

Even when it’s summertime, sometimes all you want to do is get cozy as the sun goes down and sip on some wine by a fire. And at Fireside Winery, that is exactly what they want you to do! With a wide selection of seasonal wines and food trucks, you could start here in the afternoon and stay into the evening and never get bored. You can also talk with their expert winemakers and hear all about their wine and potato chip pairings or get recommendations for what wine is great when binge-watching a new show.

Conclusion

No matter where you travel this summer, there are sure to be great wineries and summer blends nearby. Enjoy a summer afternoon with a chilled glass of your favorite surrounded by good company!

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