Where to Sip & Stay in the USA's Best Wine Regions - Full-Time Travel

Where to Sip & Stay in the USA’s Best Wine Regions

Where to Sip & Stay in the USA's Best Wine Regions

Full-Time Travel asked three wine experts for their favorite U.S. wine regions, what to sip while there, and where to stay nearby. You’re in good hands with these three: 

Mark Oldman, wine author, speaker, and presenter of the popular virtual wine seminars 

André Hueston Mack, sommelier, winemaker, and designer

Anthony Giglio: sommelier, journalist, and Wine Director for The American Express Centurion Global Lounge Network

The Farmhouse Inn, Sonoma

Sonoma, CA

Mark Oldman: If I ran Sonoma’s tourism board, I would use the motto, “Sonoma is for Lovers” – that is, lovers of world-class Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay, fine dining, scenic beauty, and a pace slower than that of Napa. I like to stay near the central square of Healdsburg, which is filled with gourmet markets, art galleries, and tasting bars. Nearby in Forestville, the Farmhouse Inn offers luxe country chic, its own Michelin-starred restaurant, and airy, comfortable rooms. Insider pick: make a reservation at the brand-new, photography-themed tasting room of Aperture Cellars, a new, Bordeaux-influenced winery from talented, young winemaker Jesse Katz.

Brooks winery, Willamette

Willamette Valley, OR

André Hueston Mack: Oregon’s Willamette Valley (pronounced will-AM-it) is the place that I source grapes for my own Maison Noir Wines, so it’s near and dear to my heart. In my opinion, the Valley is the best place to grow my favorite grape: Pinot Noir. It represents the best of both worlds – the fruit that you associate with Californian wines mixed with the terroir, (or taste of the land) that you associate with European wines. Antica Terra is my favorite place to visit. It’s by appointment only, so make sure you call ahead to reserve a spot and taste founder Maggie Harrison‘s world-renowned elixirs. Others to explore are Soléna Estate, Hiyu Farms, and Brooks. When it comes to accommodation, Atticus Hotel, located right in the heart of McMinnville town, right off the picturesque Main Street, is a gem.

Wolffer Estate, the Hamptons

Long Island, NY

Anthony Giglio: Long Island has a lot to offer visitors three out of four seasons a year. On the Northfork, I’ve long been a fan of Shinn Vineyards (which has its own accommodations on-site), Bedell Cellars, Anthony Nappa, Lenz, and Lieb Cellars. Rieslings are even more fruity here than they are up north thanks to warmer weather, and Merlot grapes ripen beautifully. On the South Fork of Long Island, in the Hamptons, Wolffer Estate makes terrific wines (they are especially loved for their rosé), and it’s a gorgeous property to visit.

Poolside at the Auberge du Soleil hotel, Napa

Napa, CA

Mark Oldman: I’ve been visiting Napa Valley since the tasting rooms were free and the traffic was only challenging on weekends. This is hallowed ground, the Hollywood of American wine production, home to vinous stars such as Joseph Phelps, Opus One, and Duckhorn as well as dozens of fine boutique wineries. One visit that never gets old is the Hess Collection, where you can enjoy delicious Mt. Veeder-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, then visit the on-site museum, featuring contemporary art from the likes of Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg, and Franz Gertsch. Going north, stay at posh hotel Auberge du Soleil, and don’t miss drinks on the deck, with a spectacular view of the valley below.

Monticello, VA

Anthony Giglio: Back in 2012, I was asked to sit on a panel of judges to taste the best wines of Virginia, alongside legendary judge Steven Spurrier and Master of Wine Jay Youmans. I had little experience with Virginia wines, but their tourism board took us to several regions, one more surprising than the next. It was amazing to taste the blends they were making in the Bordeaux style, especially Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot for the reds, and Petit Manseng and Viognier for the whites, to name a few. I especially love the wines of Barboursville, Breaux, King Family, and Veritas, which has its own Farmhouse B&B next door.

Tablas Creek vineyard, Paso Robles

Paso Robles, CA

 

Mark Oldman: Halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso is known for its rustic beauty – what Napa must have been like fifty years ago. Its diversity of microclimates allows a wide range of grape types to be grown, but Paso’s forte is Rhone-style varieties such as Syrah and Grenache, as well as other warm-weather-loving grapes such as Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Be sure to visit blue chip wineries Justin, Turley Wine Cellars, and Eberle. Also consider Tablas Creek, a joint venture with the acclaimed Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe producer Château Beaucastel, and home to a wide variety of quality wines and one of California’s best rosés.

Texas Hill Country, TX

Mark Oldman: Wine in Texas? You better believe it, pardner, and some of it merits a special trip. Fly into Austin, and to the north and west you have the wineries of Texas Hill Country. Chardonnay stands out in this hot, dry climate, as does Cabernet Sauvignon and warmth-loving grapes such as Syrah and Tempranillo, the latter being the constituent grape of Spain’s Rioja. Having presented many years at the Austin Food + Wine Festival, I have grown fond of Duchman, Becker, Pedernales, and Messina Hof. When your day is done, kick off your boots at the Sage Hill & Spa, a comfortable, centrally-located boutique hotel with a pool. Or make the drive back to Austin to Hotel Saint Cecilia, a stylish boutique hotel with a chic, rock-and-roll vibe.

Explore the fascinating world of Piedra Pómez in northwest Argentina! This lightweight volcanic rock is used in everything from construction to beauty products, while its unique formations create breathtaking landscapes that attract adventurers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Reel: danielkordan
...

283 0

Spring has arrived in the state of Washington.

Reel: @jakeguzman
...

305 2

Off the grid - at the end of the world, where dunes collide into the Atlantic Ocean. 📍 Sandwich Harbor / Namibia

Reel: @formgestalter
...

164 1

Reel: @s.x.traveler ➡️ Escape to the rugged beauty of Calhau das Achadas da Cruz, where Madeira`s wild heart beats in harmony with the Atlantic`s endless blue. Nestled in the remote northwest, this gem in Porto Moniz is a world away from the everyday. ...

657 11

Nothing beats spring in the English countryside.

Reel: @dpc_photography_
...

761 3

Swim with killer whales, camp with friends, and cool off in a river surrounded by the beauty of Baja, California. 🇲🇽

Reel: @rodtrvn
...

185 0

This surreal store in Chengdu, China, which includes over 80,000 books, is lined with images of books on the upper shelves so it would appear that they stretch from floor to ceiling.

Reel: @losojosdelau
...

741 5

Patagonia is pretty much the most magical place on Earth.

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
...

365 1

inspired by Space exploration’s seminal era, as it sits in quiet solitude surrounded by pitted rock format, Echo Camp in Antarctica gives you as close as you can get to feeling off the planet without leaving Earth.

It`s the newest luxury adventure experience from White Desert where you can enjoy fine dining, ice climbing, cross-country skiing and for the adventurers learn life saving techniques.

Reel: @jeremyaustiin
...

124 2

Welcome to the new @thewhitelotus hotel @fskohsamui 🌴 The resort offers stunning views, beautiful beaches, and upscale amenities, which align with the high-end and exotic backdrop often sought after by TV producers. Will you be tuning in to the new season?

Reel: @postcardsbyhannah
...

140 1

Dreaming of traveling to warmer destinations like Lucky Bay in Western Australia.

Reel: @haylsa
...

203 3

Discover the allure of Pidurangala Rock, a captivating geological marvel adjacent to Sigiriya in Sri Lanka. Embark on a scenic hike that unveils panoramic vistas of Sigiriya Rock, lush forests, and distant mountains. Explore a historic cave temple at the base and catch the magic of sunrise or sunset from the summit.

Reel: @natigana
...

137 0

Located in Lahaul Valley, Himachal Pradesh in India, Kardang Village offers stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan landscapes and its 12th century monastery that holds cultural and historical significance in the region.

Reel: @shiv.mer
...

411 1