U.s. Wine Trails - The Perfect Weekend Getaway
Jim Hofman
If you enjoy wine tours and wine travel, you'll be pleased to know that there's a U.S. wine trail within a half day's drive of your home, just waiting for you to experience and enjoy. With over 6000 wineries now active in the United States, many of these wineries are clustered all across the country in small groups in grape growing areas. These groups of wineries are often designated as a wine trail, and are perfect for visiting as a weekend excursion.
These small independent wineries are typically grouped only a few miles apart, making it easy to visit several over the course of a day or two. In addition to beautiful scenic countryside, you'll be able to taste some of America's finest new award winning wines, produced by master winemakers.
Most wine trails are designated by their state's tourism commission. Typically, you'll see distinct signage and maps to help guide the way from winery to winery. Interestignly, there are wine trails in the northeast states all the way to the southwest, and many states have multiple wine trails. Enjoying the passion of these independent wine makers is truly an experience to share with family and friends.
Although the traditional wine producting states like California, Washington, and Oregon are usually in the forefront of wine lover's minds, other states are catching up fast. With groups of wineries scattered all over the U.S., there are options galore for those seeking a wine travel experience. Almost two dozen states have officially designated at least one wine trail. We expect the trend to continue as state tourism boards learn more about wine travel and wine related tourism.
Another example is Missouri, where there are 75 wineries, many with their wine making roots going back 150 years. These midwestern states, along with many in the eastern part of the U.S., are the forefathers of the American wine industry. There are many largely undiscovered treasures that await in dozens of other states as well.
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.
Whenever we travel a wine trail, we always add in an overnight stay. This allows us to relax and enjoy wine as it was meant to be enjoyed. It's particularly enjoyable to try local restaurants and their regional specialties. You'll even be able to break up the wineries into two seperate days, which will help keep you and your palate sharp.
No matter the season, wine travel is a highly enjoyable and educational weekend getaway. You'll experience new wines, historic small towns, and local food and culture. No matter where you live, chances are good there's a wine trail within a few hours drive. These small friendly wineries are just waiting to share their handcrafted wines with you. Cheers!
Jim Hofman is a free lance author specializing in beverages, and is the owner of several websites devoted to wine enjoyment. Jim and his wife produce a free online newsletter dedicated to exploring U.S. wine trails and the joy of http://www.winetrailsusa.com/ wine travel.
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