Some Top Wineries in the US

Wine areas in the US start in California, move through Ohio, on to New York, and finally into Virginia.  Each area is associated with specific wines because of the vineyards that are found in the area.  Some are more at home with red wines, and some are associated with white wines.          

Napa Wineries

The Napa area of northern California is almost a perfect grape growing area with the warm days and the cool fog that rolls in each night from the Pacific.  The Napa Valley seems to capture both temperatures as the day progresses from warm to cool.  The soil is also conducive to the growth of the grape vines that are seen in profusion in the Napa Valley.  This area, although new in the history of wine, has produced some of the better wines in tasting contests throughout the world.  Napa Valley history is filled with names that have become famous because of their association with great wines that carried the name of the founder of the winery.  Charles Krug established a commercial winery in 1861.  The site is famous now for its wine, brandy, and the castle like fortress that is its local image.  Schramsberg did the same in 1862. 

Beringer was founded in 1876 and Inglenook in 1879.  The early pioneers that came before the commercial wineries were early believers in the Valley.  These included George Yount who founded the first homestead in 1831.  Other pioneers followed like John Patchette, Dr. George Crane, and Hamilton Crabb who experimented with over 400 types of wine grapes.  This beautiful area of northern California is a perfect setting for the 400 wineries and the great wines they produce.          

Seneca Lake Wineries

Seneca Lake is part of the New York Finger Lakes area with 36 wineries in this beautiful area of New York   Thee are some hearty wines produced in this area and some very subtle wines.  The wine list for the area includes Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir. 

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail allows visitors to visit many of the wineries that are found in this lovely area of New York.  Many of the white wines from this area have done very well in international tasting contests with many winners among their entries. 

Sonoma Wineries

The Sonoma wine area is just a few miles west of the Napa wine area.  This area is noted for some great red wines.  Sonoma or the Valley of the Moon has a rich agricultural history and was one of the first counties to be so designated after California became a state in 1850.  Grape growing was a natural move, and the Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandels from Cline Cellars are noted wines from the area.  Chateau St. Jean has a variety of wines including dessert wines, and Chateau Souverain is noted for its reds. 

The little town of Glen Ellen has two areas of interest to a visitor to the Sonoma area.  There is a small winery there that has a great Merlot.  It is also the home of Jack London State Park with its volcano rock burned out home that Jack London built and never lived in, as it was mysteriously burned down the day before he was to move in.  The Jack London museum associated with the park is an interesting visit.  The park has an air of mystery if visited on a rainy day.  This little known side visit in the wine area is worth the time and the experience of this wonderful park.

Temecula Wineries

Temecula is one of the many winery areas located in the southern part of the state, and because of the hot and dryer climate, it is noted for its many award winning wines and the 25 wineries that make up its vineyard list.  With all the wineries in California, it is no wonder that so many of the wines produced in the state have won so many awards. 

Ohio Wineries

The wineries in Ohio stretch down from the Lake Erie region to the southeast corner of the state.  Many of the wines from this area are whites and sweet wines.  Most people when they think of wine from the US think of California and New York.  This area does produce some very nice white dry wines that have done well in some of the tasting events.  The list of wines from the area include Pinot Gris, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc.  The weather associated with the Lake Erie region makes for an ideal growing of grapes as the lake affects the moisture in the air and temperatures at critical growing times.  The soil is also conducive to great grape growing vineyards.  Some better known vineyards from the area are Buccia Vineyard, Debonne Vineyard, and Ferrante Winery, which is one of the largest family owned wineries in the state. 

Virginia Wineries

Old Virginia has a long history of involvement in the culture and history of the United States.  Since wine is intertwined with both in this country, one would expect that this seaside state have a history of wine involvement.  The grape growing stretches from the sea to the Appalachian mountain ranges.  This range of growing areas induces many types of grape growth and the wines that the grape varieties support.  Many famous Americans from the founders to the present have been involved with private vineyards.  This state has long been an agricultural related state.  Grape growing fits in with this culture of growing things, and wine is a natural outgrowth of having vineyards.  There are 15 established wine trails in this area and over 150 different wineries.  Virginia does not immediately come to mind when thinking of areas that are into wine making, but the state has a long history in this area of making wine.  Virginia completes the grape growing areas of the United States and does produce some award winning wines in the process.