If you love wine as much as I do you probably try to visit a winery on vacation. Napa Valley is probably the first wine destination that comes to mind, but every state has its options. But knowing where to find the best wine on vacation can be hard, especially if you’re just a casual wine drinker. Well, you’re in luck, the dating reviews website MyDatingAdvisor.com ranked the best wineries across the country.
But what makes a winery “the best”. Obviously, to a degree it’s opinion. Something that I love others might hate, as well as the reverse.
However, the metrics used in this are the following:
This study took the winery quality, popularity, and things to do into account. The analysis was across six key metrics of winery perfection: 1) TripAdvisor rating, 2) Google reviews rating, 3) Number of TripAdvisor reviews, 4) Number of Google reviews, 5) Number of restaurants within 3 miles, and 6) Number of attractions within 6 miles.
They ranked each winery according to a ‘‘Winery Index Score.’ This value represents the quality of the winery experience that you can have there.
Also, check out the top 20 wineries in North Carolina.
List: The Best Wineries and Wine In Every US State
Alabama: Jules J. Berta Vineyards & Pizza (Albertville)
- Winery Index Score: 66.41
- About: They grow Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Petit Syrah, Blaufrankisch, and Sylvaner. Their vineyard has an elevation over 1100 feet, the highest in the state.
- Wine to try: Dog at Large Blackberry
- Flavors: Juicy, plump, mixed varietal blackberries blended with red wine grapes and laced with delicate oak nuances
Alaska: Bear Creek Winery (Homer)
- Winery Index Score: 61.42
- About: A small country winery in Homer, Alaska. They have produced award-winning fruit/grape blends since 2004.
- Wine to try: 2019 Glacier Bear Blueberry Wine
- Flavors: This wine gets its deep violet color from the wild-grown blueberries used to make it. On the nose, it smells very jammy and has notes of blackberry. The taste experience is one of the layered blueberry flavors that start warm and juicy and have a long velvety finish.
Arizona: Arizona Stronghold Vineyards Tasting Room (Cottonwood)
- Winery Index Score: 81.42
- About: Features wine tasting flights daily, a delicious skewer and tapas menu, live music Fridays, local art, and a great staff.
- Wine to try: 17 Bonita Springs Vineyard Cabernet Pick 2
- Flavors: Fig, plum, black cherries, cranberries, with a touch of tobacco.
Arkansas: The Winery Of Hot Springs (Hot Springs)
- Winery Index Score: 63.85
- About: Free tour most prominent of the Arkansas Historic Wine Museum branch, followed by tasting a wide variety of Arkansas wines.
- Wine to try: Lake Hamilton Sunset
- Flavors: A sparkling strawberry wine.
California: Judd's Hill Winery And MicroCrush (Napa)
- Winery Index Score: 82.85
- About: Located only minutes from downtown Napa, near the foot of the Silverado Trail, Judd’s Hill.
- Wine to try: Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
- Flavors: The delicious notes of sweet brioche, plum, and crushed violets pop out of the glass, followed by bold red and blue fruit flavors. You will find the perfect end to a Cabernet, well balanced with big tannins and high acid on the finish.
Colorado: Balistreri Vineyards (Denver)
- Winery Index Score: 83.18
- About: The cozy, family-run winery, tasting room, and event center offer daily tours & a seasonal lunch menu.
- Wine to try: 2019 Colorado Little Feet Merlot
- Flavors: Stomped by kids at Festival Italiano in the fall of 2019! Another exceptional year. This Merlot is rich and luscious with deep garnet hues and fresh berry aromas. Flavors of black cherry and currants linger on the smooth, soft finish.
Connecticut: Jones Family Farm (Shelton)
- Winery Index Score: 63.58
- About: Established in 1848, this 400-acre farm offers pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries, and pumpkins with a hayride and Christmas trees and a farm winery with Tasting Room.
- Wine to try: Woodlands White
- Flavors: The winery favorite! Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, and Cayuga White blend are refreshingly crisp with a lightly sweet finish. Connecticut Grown.
Delaware: Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery (Frankford)
- Winery Index Score: 59.27
- About: A family-owned winery near the Delaware beaches offers an array of dry to sweet wines. Beautiful grounds, a large selection of wine, and famous wine slushies!
- Wine to try: Traminette 2020
- Flavors: A dry white wine with floral characteristics and a spicy ginger finish.
Florida: Panama City Beach Winery (Panama City Beach)
- Winery Index Score: 90.31
- About: The only tropical winery in Bay County, Florida. Citrus, berry, and fruit wines.
- Wine to try: Passion Fruit Florida Fever
- Flavors: An exotic flavor created from Florida’s finest passion fruit juice. Tart and flavorful, this wine will enhance any meal. Great outside or along the beach. It is a customer favorite.
Georgia: Crane Creek Vineyards (Young Harris)
- Winery Index Score: 71.96
- About: This winery is high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia, just 3 miles north of the quaint college town of Young Harris in the shadow of Brasstown Bald, the state’s highest peak. Try flights, wine by the glass, and wine by the bottle are available in the tasting room.
- Wine to try: Mountain Harvest Red
- Flavors: Crane Creek’s signature Chambourcin dominant red blend. Fresh, fruity, and approachable. Tasting Notes: plum jam, cherry, nutmeg.
Hawaii: MauiWine (Kula)
- Winery Index Score: 61.18
- About: Scenic vineyard and commercial winery, bottling sparkling, pineapple, grape, and raspberry dessert wines.
- Wine to try: Maui Splash Pineapple – Passionfruit
- Flavors: A sweet, but not overly sweet, pineapple wine with a touch of the fragrant passion fruit. An easy-to-drink wine.
Idaho: Telaya Wine Co. (Garden City)
- Winery Index Score: 67.39
- About: A family-owned urban winery. They focus on sourcing the highest quality fruit from Washington and Idaho and making premium boutique wine.
- Wine to try: 2020 Rose of Syrah
- Flavors: A beautiful strawberry in color with hints of cranberry and strawberries intertwined with rose petals. The body is full of a cherry jolly rancher with a lovely mild spice finish like the Syrah it originates.
Illinois: Lynfred Winery (Roselle)
- Winery Index Score: 77.55
- About: The oldest and largest continuously operating winery in Illinois produces more than 50 varietals and 25,000 cases of award-winning wines each year.
- Wine to try: Apricot Wine
- Flavors: Medium-bodied, gold-colored with greenish hues, an intense aroma of ripe apricots and tropical & floral notes, sweet & sour on the palate with a smooth finish.
Indiana: Urban Vines Winery & Brewery Co. (Westfield)
- Winery Index Score: 81.38
- About: A winery and brewery located in Westfield, Indiana. They produce small batches of handcrafted wines and beers for local consumption.
- Wine to try: Carnival Candy Wine
- Flavors: Made with grapes from the Great Lakes growing region. Slowly fermented to keep these grapes’ natural cotton candy qualities, it produces a delicious wine with hints of cotton candy.
Iowa: Stone Cliff Winery (Dubuque)
- Winery Index Score: 71.56
- About: A family-owned and operated winery. The vineyard is in the beautiful rolling hills north of Dubuque in Eastern Iowa.
- Wine to try: Blushing Claire
- Flavors: “Best Iowa Wine” in the 2014 Mid-American Wine Competition. A well-balanced, semi-dry rosé. Crisp acidity and luscious aromas of apricot, peach, pineapple and citrus.
Kansas: Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery (Basehor)
- Winery Index Score: 51.01
- About: Conveniently located only 20 minutes west of downtown Kansas City, MO, and 5 miles west of the KS Speedway. They create estate wines from a 16-acre vineyard.
- Wine to try: Chambourcin
- Flavors: An award-winning, medium-bodied, dry red with berry notes. Aged in American Oak.
Kentucky: Purple Toad Winery (Paducah)
- Winery Index Score: 77.86
- About: The name “Purple Toad Winery” originated from the color of your toes when pressing grapes the old-fashioned way. They combine modern wine-making techniques with old-world knowledge to produce award-winning wines.
- Wine to try: Black & Bruised
- Flavors: A sweet blend of Blackberry and Concord. The winery’s best seller.
Louisiana: NOLA Tropical Winery (New Orleans)
- Winery Index Score: 69.03
- About: The wines are fine works of the vintner’s art created from hand-selected berries, citrus, and tropical fruits.
- Wine to try: St James Blackberry/Blueberry
- Flavors: A sweet wine with rich fruit flavors that develop evenly across the palate and remain for a long berry finish.
Maine: Cellardoor Winery (Lincolnville)
- Winery Index Score: 73.43
- About: They produce cellar-door wines in small, handcrafted batches in Lincolnville, ME.
- Wine to try: Malbec
- Flavors: This wine has blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries, which lend a familiar berry tartness.
Maryland: Linganore Winecellars (Mt Airy)
- Winery Index Score: 59.83
- About: Producing over 30 wines, ranging from stylish white and red dinner wines to elegant semi-sweet grape, fruit, and honey wines. They are on 230 acres of rolling countryside surrounded by vineyards.
- Wine to try: Albariño Reserve 2020
- Flavors: A bright floral nose that mingles with notes of pear, peach, and fresh apricot and ends with a round crispness. Estate Bottled.
Massachusetts: Plymouth Bay Winery (Plymouth)
- Winery Index Score: 68.08
- About: Plymouth Bay Winery has a collection of wines produced from locally grown, native grapes and berries. Their focus is on fruit wines and has a wide selection. For $10, you get to taste them all and some of the jams that they make using these wines.
- Wine to try: Cranberry Blush
- Flavors: A semi-dry spicy blend of cranberry and Vidal grapes Crisp, fruity, and tart.
Michigan: Fenn Valley Vineyards (Fennville)
- Winery Index Score: 69.47
- About: Longtime, family-owned vintner featuring a tasting room, tours, and wine-pairing dinners. A large assortment of fruit wines. The tasting offers seven samples.
- Wine to try: Peach & Honey Wine
- Flavors: A smooth but not too sweet, fruity wine loaded with the flavor of peach and honey.
Minnesota: Carlos Creek Winery (Alexandria)
- Winery Index Score: 66.20
- About: Situated on 160 acres in the heart of the Alexandria Lakes area in Minnesota’s first Federally Approved Viticultural Area (AVA).
- Wine to try: 2018 Reserve Frontenac
- Flavors: Dry Estate red wine aged in Minnesota, French, and American oak barrels for 14 months. Medium body with light tannins of bright cherry aromas and flavors and finishing with smooth oak.
Mississippi: Old South Winery (Natchez)
- Winery Index Score: 57.45
- About: The Galbreath family runs the winery, and the wines from Muscadines (an American grape with a European name), are grown in a vineyard right outside the facility’s back door. The local favorite is a rose’ labeled Miss Scarlet.
- Wine to try: Blue Bayou
- Flavors: Dessert – Lush and Balanced
Old South Wine and chocolate pair well and make for a lovely night ❤️
Posted by Old South Winery on Sunday, January 16, 2022Missouri: Pirtle Winery (Weston)
- Winery Index Score: 77.78
- About: Established in 1978 in a historic church, this family-owned winery offers tours and tastings.
- Wine to try: Mellow Red
- Flavors: Concord grape wine is their customers’ favorite
Montana: Yellowstone Cellars & Winery (Billings)
- Winery Index Score: 73.72
- About: The wines are from premium hand-picked red and white grapes harvested from small family vineyards in the Yakima Valley of Washington. The tasting room is open daily for samples, glass pours, bottles, deli items, and pizzas.
- Wine to try: 2018 Rimrock Red
- Flavors: Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Big and bold Find red fruit, blackberry, and current with finishing layers of smoked wood and burnished leather.
Nebraska: Cellar 426 Winery (Ashland)
- Winery Index Score: 58.73
- About: This winery sits high on the hill with 360 degrees of breathtaking views. Enjoy Nebraska-crafted wines in a tasting room designed with the comfort and warmth of a modern lodge, conveniently located halfway between Omaha and Lincoln. You’ll find wines, food plates, and gorgeous views.
- Wine to try: Sunflower White
- Flavors: Made with the Edelweiss grape, this semi-sweet white has hints of green apple and pear.
Nevada: Pahrump Valley Winery (Pahrump)
- Winery Index Score: 67.15
- About: A desert oasis winery located a short one hour’s drive from Las Vegas, complete with a restaurant. Enjoy a wine tour, wine tasting, and meal as you overlook the grounds and small estate vineyard. They produce the wine from grapes grown on the property, several other Nevada vineyards, and California under three labels.
- Wine to try: Riesling
- Flavors: Rich apricot and honeysuckle overtones complemented by a floral bouquet.
New Hampshire: Seven Birches Winery (Lincoln)
- Winery Index Score: 67.54
- About: This winery produces wines from classic European grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay and locally sourced fruits like blueberry and apples.
- Wine to try: 2020 Merlot
- Flavors: Dark red fruits, soft tannins, and freshness are all identifying notes found in this Merlot.
New Jersey: Cape May Winery & Vineyard (Cape May)
- Winery Index Score: 81.94
- About: The winery has taproom tastings, plus tapas and brunch dining with tours of the vineyards and cellars.
- Wine to try: 2012 Isaac Smith Vintage Red Port
- Flavors: Tawny color. Flavors of brown sugar, fig, baked apples, and cherry appear rich on the palate.
New Mexico: Casa Rondena Winery (Albuquerque)
- Winery Index Score: 68.77
- About: The winery has a lovely patio and a grassy area where you can buy some cheese and crackers and a glass of vino.
- Wine to try: 2021 Viognier
- Flavors: Light, crisp, semi-sweet white. This Rhone varietal has notes of citrus, apple, and tropical fruit.
New York: Three Brothers Wineries And Estates (Geneva)
- Winery Index Score: 74.21
- About: Three unique wineries, a microbrewery, and a café are all on one estate in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York.
- Wine to try: 2020 First Degree of Riesling
- Flavors: White. Off-Dry Riesling. Aromas of orange blossom, apricot, and candied lemon. Lime zest and clean minerality in the glass.
https://www.facebook.com/3BrothersWineries/posts/10166164132050640
North Carolina: Biltmore Winery At Antler Hill Village (Asheville)
- Winery Index Score: 85.89
- About: The winery is in another town. You can enter a tunnel in this village to take you to this location where free wine tastings are available.
- Wine to try: Century Sweet Red Wine
- Flavors: Aromas of strawberry and dark caramel complemented by notes of blackberry and vanilla.
North Dakota: Prairie Rose Meadery (Fargo)
- Winery Index Score: 54.61
- About: They have a tasting room and outdoor patio (weather permitting). Kid-friendly.
- Wine to try: 2019 Dakota Apple
- Flavors: An award-winning blend of tart North Dakota apples and clover honey with a hint of spicy cinnamon notes and the tart finish of biting into a crisp fall apple.
Ohio: Gervasi Vineyard (Canton)
- Winery Index Score: 80.41
- About: The winery resort sits on a 55-acre estate and offers three restaurants and several accommodation options – Tuscan-inspired Villas, a boutique inn, The Casa, and a restored Farmhouse from the early 1800s.
- Wine to try: Brigante ‘Brigand’
- Flavors: Sweet, red wine with complex fruit flavors.
Oklahoma: Girls Gone Wine (Broken Bow)
- Winery Index Score: 60.40
- About: A fun winery in the Beavers Bend resort area, it was created by three longtime girlfriends from Hochatown.
- Wine to try: Road Trip Red
- Flavors: Dry red wine. This smooth Pinot Noir-style wine has a medium body and flavors of cherry and spice.
Oregon: Willamette Valley Vineyards Tasting Room In McMinnville (McMinnville)
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- Winery Index Score: 76.51
- About: One of the largest wineries in the area. The Tasting Room has both indoor and outdoor seating with fantastic views.
- Wine to try: 2018 Bernau Block Pinot Noir
- Flavors: Deep garnet colored. Complex nose of bramble fruit, plum, dried herbs, and minerality notes. On the palate: flavors of red and black fruit framed by cedar and earth.
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Pennsylvania: Mount Hope Estate & Winery (Manheim)
- Winery Index Score: 73.94
- About: Home of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Fair.
- Wine to try: Heartland Harvest
- Flavors: Sweet. Made predominately from Concord grapes. Robust flavor.
Rhode Island: Newport Vineyards (Middletown)
- Winery Index Score: 76.22
- About: Newport Vineyards includes a 60-acre vineyard, restaurant, cafe, marketplace, tasting room, tank room, tours, and live music.
- Wine to try: Rhody Coyote
- Flavors: 100% local apples. Effervescent and crisp.
South Carolina: Duplin Winery (North Myrtle Beach)
- Winery Index Score: 88.93
- About: Duplin Winery is the oldest and largest winery in the South.
- Wine to try: Twisted Sisters Sweet Red Wine
- Flavors: Pomegranate zinfandel.
South Dakota: Prairie Berry Winery (Hill City)
- Winery Index Score: 75.67
- About: The winery in Black Elk Peak’s shadow is minutes away from Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and outdoor activities in the Black Hills.
- Wine to try: Red Ass Rhubarb
- Flavors: Their most popular, most award-winning wine. It features rich raspberry followed by bright, tart rhubarb and a hint of citrus.
Tennessee: Tennessee Homemade Wines (Gatlinburg)
- Winery Index Score: 96.05
- About: They specialize in local flavors like muscadine, strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, peach, etc.
- Wine to try: Old Apple
- Flavors: A medium-bodied American Hybrid with a soft cherry tone finish and aromas of red currant fruit. Aged 10 months in American oak barrels.
Texas: Messina Hof Winery (Bryan)
- Winery Index Score: 73.11
- About: Their highly-rated B&B is 5 miles from the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History and 8 miles from Texas A&M University.
- Wine to try: HG – Emblaze
- Flavors: Sweet red blend. On the nose are floral notes of magnolias and rose petals. Ripe plum flavors with notes of wildberry jam and vanilla.
Utah: IG Winery (Cedar City)
- Winery Index Score: 54.01
- About: IG Winery also offers artisan cocktails and beer on tap from local brewery Silver Reef Brewery.
- Wine to try: IG Winery
- Flavors: Full-bodied red, aromas and tastes of cherry, caramel & spices.
Vermont: Snow Farm Vineyard And Winery (South Hero)
- Winery Index Score: 54.64
- About: On the shores of Lake Champlain, this winery is a favorite destination for bike riders. It is a 12-mile bike ride from Burlington’s Waterfront Park via the Island Line Rail Trail (New England’s only bike ferry).
- Wine to try: 2019 Seyval Blanc
- Flavors: Dry white, nicely balanced, light, yet fruity. Can compare to a zesty Sauvignon Blanc. One of their most popular wines.
Virginia: Williamsburg Winery (Williamsburg)
- Winery Index Score: 79.22
- About: Massive winery on a historic 300-acre farm with tastings, restaurants & on-site lodging.
Washington: Chateau Ste. Michelle Vineyards (Woodinville)
- Winery Index Score: 82.47
- About: Washington’s oldest winery is in a historic chateau near Seattle.
- Wine to try: 2017 Ethos Reserve Late Harvest Riesling
- Flavors: A rich Columbia Valley wine with aromas of orange marmalade, dried apricots, and honey. Layers of concentrated flavors balanced with natural acidity.
West Virginia: Lambert's Vintage Wines (Weston)
- Winery Index Score: 58.34
- About: Gothic-looking structure on a hillside surrounded by a vineyard.
- Wine to try: Niagara
- Flavors: Tastes of freshly picked grapes.
Wisconsin: Cedar Creek Winery (Cedarburg)
- Winery Index Score: 72.64
- About: Constructed in 1864 as a woolen mill, located in the historic Cedar Creek Settlement in downtown Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
- Wine to try: Waterfall Riesling
- Flavors: A multi-award-winning, light semi-dry Riesling complex with hints of coconut and citrus.
Wyoming: Big Lost Meadery And Brewery (Gillette)
- Winery Index Score: 58.61
- About: Mead served in horns!
- Wine to try: Crazy Woman
- Flavors: Hibiscus Mead
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