Top 9 Must-Visit Vineyards in the United States

Experience the U.S. one sip at a time.

The wine-drinking experience is something we tend to associate primarily with our senses of taste and smell. However, being immersed in the source is the ultimate reminder that there’s so much more to feel and absorb from a wine beyond its salient qualities. Moreover, what we take in with our eyes can sometimes be equally (if not more) impactful. From an impossibly charming vineyard farmhouse centered around community visibility and empowerment in Oregon’s Willamette Valley to a Mexican winemaking family’s distinctive interpretation of New York terroir, these are the country’s most breathtaking places to drink wine amid the vines.

Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, Verde Valley, AZ

Regardless of your personal music tastes, there’s something to worship about “Reverend” Maynard James Keenan’s boutique Arizona wines. As the frontman of legendary alt-metal band TOOL and a winemaker since the mid-2000s, Keenan’s experiential vinous empire channels the same cerebral, multisensory experience as his music, thanks in large part to business partner and lab manager Jennifer Lei Li Keenan, who also happens to be his wife. Together, the Keenan family owns Caduceus Cellars, Merkin Vineyards, and several other concepts in and around Arizona’s Verde Valley area.

Kitá Wines, Santa Ynez Valley, CA

Trailblazing winemaker and entrepreneur Tara Gomez is a force, to say the least. Gomez founded Kitá Wines in California’s Santa Ynez Valley in 2010. She is leading the way for female-identifying wine professionals in both the Indigenous and LGBTQ spaces (especially where the two intersect). Visit Kitá for a tasting and a tour of the sunny Camp 4 Vineyards, which is owned by the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (the nation to which Gomez belongs), and take in the views of the valley’s picturesque rolling hills while supporting tribal tourism development.

RGNY, North Fork, NY

For those on the East Coast, rest assured that cross-country travel is not a requisite for full immersion in the lounging-around-gorgeous-vineyards lifestyle. New York State is home to plenty of beautiful wineries and vineyards, however, there’s something about RGNY on the North Fork of Long Island that sets the property apart from the rest. Owned by the Rivero González family of winemakers, who planted their first vines in southern Mexico back in 1998, this sustainable winery presents itself through a design-forward lens, making the perfect backdrop for any casual visit or event.

Frichette Winery, Benton City, WA

Located in the heart of Washington state’s Red Mountain winemaking region, Frichette Winery is a beautifully warm and welcoming place to kick back and sip a big, bold red inside the tasting room, on the patio overlooking the vineyards, or in an Adirondack chair around the fire pit. Wife-and-husband team Shae and Greg Frichette offer daily visiting hours, a variety of flights, and experiences, making scenery at Frichette Winery that much sweeter.

Darioush, Napa Valley, CA

While it’s tough to narrow down the best wineries in Napa, Darioush is certainly among the most uniquely beautiful. This elegant winery is steeped in the family’s Persian heritage, offering a hospitality experience that’s simply stunning inside and out. Enjoy a walking winery tour or a private table in the gardens to soak in the surroundings while tasting the house’s iconic Darius II red blend.

Remy Wines, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Remy Drabkin, founder of Remy Wines, wears many hats. In addition to making wine, she serves as president of the local city council and chair of the McMinnville Affordable Housing Commission. Drabkin’s dedication to serving her community is admirable, and the Remy Wines Dundee Hills family farmhouse is a charming haven for wine lovers from all walks of life.

Scribe Winery, Sonoma, CA

Of all the wineries I’ve visited throughout my near-decade of drinks writing, Scribe has to be the coolest and most impeccably designed expression of California cool. Scribe is a minimalist oenophile’s dreamscape with thoughtful nooks perfect for a social media snap at every turn. Membership in the Scribe Viticultural Society is required for access, but the long list of perks is more than worth it.

Bluemont Vineyard, Bluemont, VA

If you’ve ever dreamt of vacationing in a mountainside vineyard, Bluemont is the place to go. At Bluemont Vineyard, you can enjoy some of Virginia’s top wineries, with the option to taste wines on the patio overlooking the mountainside. This area is beautiful year-round, but it’s particularly stunning around the holidays.

Red Tail Ridge, Penn Yan, NY

As the only LEED Gold-certified winery in the state of New York, Red Tail Ridge is led by winemaker Nancy Irelan. Known for her scientific approach, Irelan favors Old World grape varieties. Additionally, the winery itself is a sight to behold from a design and engineering standpoint, with picturesque surroundings that are perfect in any season.