Napa Valley may be the most well-known of the United States ’ wine regions , but it is not the only choice for those who want to spend their time and travels exploring vineyards and sipping vino .
“ The world of wine is truly about exploration and experimentation , and we are now so fortunate to have regions to discover all over the U . S . and the world ,” said Camron King , president of Oakwood Strategic , a boutique consultancy in wine and food .
With more than two decades of experience in the global wine industry , King is no stranger to emerging markets . “ Today , there is an opportunity to visit and experience lesserknown wine growing and wine producing regions such as Temecula , California , the Finger Lakes in New York , Woodinville , Washington , or even other regions around the world ,” he said . “ Wine tasting and visitation are about learning and experiencing new places and new people and simply thinking outside the box . Visiting new wine regions gives everyone the chance to broaden their palate , experiment with different grape varieties and wine styles , fall in love with a new place and even build a bigger community — a community of wine lovers !”
These lesser-known , off-the-beaten-path regions offer visitors exceptional experiences ranging from e-bike rides through grapevines to creekside tastings of flavored bubbles . The varying terroir of these locales and the passionate winemakers found there make visiting these spots a great choice to discover a stellar bottle of wine that may become a new favorite .
We ’ ve highlighted five of these hidden gems , which have activities for everyone — whether guests are looking for a laid-back picnic spot at the end of a country road or a modern tasting room with a gourmet dining menu .
COURTESY OF FINGER LAKES WINE ALLIANCE
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