USA TODAY 10Best
The Best Wine Region in the U.S.? Walla Walla
Best Wine Region (2021)
While California undoubtedly produces excellent wine, it's got stiff competition these days. North America is home to more than 250 grape-growing regions. We asked a panel of wine industry experts to pick their favorite North American wine regions.
- Old Mission Peninsula - Michigan
- Monticello - Virginia
- Paso Robles - California
- Verde Valley - Arizona
- Dahlonega Plateau - Georgia
- Valle de Guadalupe - Baja California
- Temecula Valley - California
- Texas Hill Country - Texas
- Finger Lakes - New York
- Walla Walla Valley - Washington
Photo courtesy of Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail
No. 10:
Michigan’s Old Mission Peninsula is home to just 10 wineries in the northwestern portion of the state along Grand Traverse Bay. The 19,200 acres of vineyards here grow mostly vinifera grapes — Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, though visitors can also sample ice wine.
Photo courtesy of iStock / lovingav
No. 9:
Back in the 1770s, Thomas Jefferson tried to make wine at this Monticello estate in what is now the heart of Central Virginia’s Monticello American Viticultural Area. When not sipping on European grape varietals, visitors to the region can explore the battlefields of the Richmond area, tour historic Charlottesville or stroll through revitalized downtown Lynchburg.
Photo courtesy of Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance
No. 8:
California's Paso Robles wine country comprises 11 different American Viticultural Areas exhibiting a diversity of microclimates and growing conditions. The most commonly grown varieties among the area’s 40,000 acres of vineyards are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Syrah and Chardonnay.
Photo courtesy of iStock / DOUGBERRY
No. 7:
Sedona’s Verde Valley features a dry, arid climate , dramatic temperature changes from day to night and volcanic soil, resulting in excellent conditions for growing grapes. Visitors to the region can explore its wineries and tasting rooms along the Verde Valley Wine Trail.
Photo courtesy of chadscc // Getty Images
No. 6:
Dahlonega, known as the “Heart of Georgia Wine Country,” is located in the foothills of North Georgia and provides wine enthusiasts of all levels with both breathtaking mountain views and award-winning wines. The area is home to twelve wine tasting rooms and eight wineries, with one hundred acres of mountain elevations annually producing a selection of different European and American wine grapes.
Photo courtesy of iStock / cesar fernandez dominguez
No. 5:
This wine region 75 miles south of the U.S. border is Mexico’s premier winemaking destination. This village in Baja California is surrounded by more than 100 wineries producing world-class biodynamic wines, with varietals largely from the Mediterranean.
Photo courtesy of Visit Temecula Valley
No. 4:
Temecula Valley is known for its diversity of varietals, with more than 50 types of grapes grown in the area. Wine grapes have been grown in the area for more than 200 years, but these days, the warm region is best known for its Italian and Rhone varietals.
Photo courtesy of Texas Hill Country
No. 3:
The scenic Texas Hill Country surrounding the communities of Austin, Fredericksburg, Stonewall, Lampasas and New Braunfels is home to more than 50 different wineries. This American Viticultural Area is the second largest in the country, with varietals ranging from Viognier to Tempranillo to Cabernet Sauvignon to Merlot to Chenin Blanc to Aglianico to Sangiovese to Mourvèdre, with increasing acreage being planted in warm weather grapes.
Photo courtesy of Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council
No. 2:
New York’s picturesque Finger Lakes region is home to three distinct American Viticultural Areas, Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake AVAs. Visitors to the area will find more than 130 wineries, many specializing in Riesling.
Photo courtesy of Visit Walla Walla
No. 1:
Italian immigrants began growing wine grapes in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley in the 1850s. Today, this region features more than 100 wineries producing a range of varietals, most popularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The American Viticultural Area spreads across the border into Oregon as well.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning wine regions!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has... Read More
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Dynie Sanderson
Dynie is the creator of NapaFoodGalTravels and has been a food, wine and travel journalist and digital influencer living and indulging in life in the Napa Valley and around the world for over 25 years. She was founder, publisher and editor of GuestWest Magazine, Napa Valley’s first luxury lifestyle magazine; Food and Flavor Editor for Napa Valley Life Magazine and contributor to a variety of food and wine publications. Always seeking out the next wine region or food and wine festival to experience around the US and around the world to add to “Dynie’s Delicious Destinations.” Follow NapaFoodGal on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Jill Barth
Jill Barth is a wine, food and travel... Read More
Jill Barth is a wine, food and travel journalist—a regular contributor to Forbes and USA Today 10Best, where she is a wine country travel expert panelist for the Reader's Choice Awards. Jill is a Provence Wine Master and travels all over France as well as the U.S., Europe and South America to cover both well-known and still-secret wine regions for publications such as Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, Forbes, Courrier International and more. Jill was awarded a fellowship by the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers and her blog, L'Occasion, was named Best Overall and Best Writing at the Wine Media Awards.
Jill Barth
Jill Barth is a wine, food and travel journalist—a regular contributor to Forbes and USA Today 10Best, where she is a wine country travel expert panelist for the Reader's Choice Awards. Jill is a Provence Wine Master and travels all over France as well as the U.S., Europe and South America to cover both well-known and still-secret wine regions for publications such as Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, Forbes, Courrier International and more. Jill was awarded a fellowship by the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers and her blog, L'Occasion, was named Best Overall and Best Writing at the Wine Media Awards.
Larissa Dubose
Larissa C Dubose is a Wine Educator and a... Read More
Larissa C Dubose is a Wine Educator and a market-savvy Senior Sales Manager with over a decade of experience in the Wine & Spirits wholesale industry. As the Founder of The Lotus & The Vines, Larissa’s mission is to bridge the gap from wine novice to wine connoisseur by sharing the soft skills of wine knowledge and wine etiquette so that in personal and professional settings individuals are empowered to put their best personal brand forward. Larissa is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 3, a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators, and a Champagne Master Level Candidate with the Wine Scholar Guild.
Larissa Dubose
Larissa C Dubose is a Wine Educator and a market-savvy Senior Sales Manager with over a decade of experience in the Wine & Spirits wholesale industry. As the Founder of The Lotus & The Vines, Larissa’s mission is to bridge the gap from wine novice to wine connoisseur by sharing the soft skills of wine knowledge and wine etiquette so that in personal and professional settings individuals are empowered to put their best personal brand forward. Larissa is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 3, a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators, and a Champagne Master Level Candidate with the Wine Scholar Guild.
Shana Clarke
Shana Clarke is wine, sake, and travel writer and... Read More
Shana Clarke is wine, sake, and travel writer and author. Her work has appeared in Saveur, Fortune, CNN Travel, NPR, Wine Enthusiast, Hemispheres, and Fast Company. She was shortlisted for the Louis Roederer 2020 International Wine Writers’ Awards and ranked one of the “Top 20 U.S. Wine Writers That Wineries Can Work With” by Beverage Trade Network in 2021. She holds a Level 3-Advanced Certificate from Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Sake Sommelier. In addition, she is author of 150 Vineyards You Need To Visit Before You Die and the contributing author to the North America section of The Wine Lover’s Bucket List. Follow her on Instagram on @shanaspeakswine or view her work www.shanaspeakswine.com
Shana Clarke
Shana Clarke is wine, sake, and travel writer and author. Her work has appeared in Saveur, Fortune, CNN Travel, NPR, Wine Enthusiast, Hemispheres, and Fast Company. She was shortlisted for the Louis Roederer 2020 International Wine Writers’ Awards and ranked one of the “Top 20 U.S. Wine Writers That Wineries Can Work With” by Beverage Trade Network in 2021. She holds a Level 3-Advanced Certificate from Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is a Certified Sake Sommelier. In addition, she is author of 150 Vineyards You Need To Visit Before You Die and the contributing author to the North America section of The Wine Lover’s Bucket List. Follow her on Instagram on @shanaspeakswine or view her work www.shanaspeakswine.com
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy... Read More
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
Ziggy Eschliman
Known on the airwaves as Ziggy the Wine Gal, Ziggy Eschliman is among America's most enthusiastic, authoritative and entertaining libation experts. Her internationally known company, ZigStyle, combines her artistry for wine country entertaining and gardening while integrating her expertise of wine & spirits, showcasing a unique lifestyle. For over 25 years Ziggy has set and reported trends in all things wine and spirits. Her radio shows are broadcast throughout wine country and are available online.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
