A trip to California’s wine region is a bucket list adventure with an abundance of wine country inns. But, for those who’ve been there and done that there are a surprising number of wine trails and regions throughout the United States that are quietly growing not only grapes but fabulous B&B tasting experiences too. One of the best parts about travel is finding those unexpected surprises along the way. There are plenty of inns and B&Bs offering the ideal wine vacation from coast to coast. Let bnbfinder, the world’s most comprehensive independently owned international bed and breakfast directory, take you on a journey to some astounding wine destinations offering the inngoers an unmatched wine tasting getaway.
In Missouri’s Wine Country
At one time right before prohibition, Missouri’s wine country rivaled California’s. Established just west of St. Louis, in the mid-19th century, immigrants from Germany’s Rhine River Valley planted vineyards, built cellars and created a wine culture that draws wine tasters to this unexpected wine region today. Combine a visit to Missouri’s wine country with a stay at Inn at Harbor Ridge in Osage Beach. You’ll pair all the adventure on the Lake of the Ozarks with sips along the The Lake of the Ozarks Wine Trail. The Seven Springs Winery is just seven minutes from the inn or choose Shawnee Bluff Winery with a view overlooking the main channel of the Lake.
In Virginia’s Wine Country
Virginia isn’t just for lovers, although the B&Bs here are a perfect place for romance! Virginia has developed a thriving wine country, replete with wine trails and scenic tasting rooms. At Orchard House B&B in Lovingston, VA, you’ll not only enjoy chauffeured wine tours to vineyards in the area, but you can enjoy wine’s from the property’s own vineyard. You’ll find wine from the inn’s one acre vineyard of Petit Manning available in each room for guests to purchase and enjoy.
In Oregon’s Willamette Valley
Not exactly unexpected, but still a fabulous wine destination, there are over 19,000 acres of vineyards planted throughout the valley and some 500+ wineries, producing what some refer to as “liquid sunshine”. A fifth season called “cellar season” draws plenty of visitors to the area. Chehalem Ridge B&B sits atop Chehalem Mountain overlooking this amazing wine region, with more than 100 wineries within a 20-minute drive. Lodging packages include private tastings to not only wineries but also microbreweries and coffee roasters too. Guests are treated to home-made jams and jellies, one of which is made from the Pinot Noir grapes from a nearby Vineyard.
In Pennsylvania’s Brandywine Valley
With approximately 14,000 acres of grapes and 100 wineries, Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the nation in amount of grapes grown, and eighth in wine production, according to Travel + Leisure. The climate, rolling hills, and larger bodies of water combine to create an ideal setting for winemaking. Add in the many B&Bs in the region, including the Hamanassett Bed & Breakfast, offering rooms, suites and pet-friendly cottages topped off with elegant candle-lit breakfasts, and wine lovers will have everything they need to start a day of vineyard touring the right way.
Texas Hill Country Wine Region
The Hill Country Wine Region of Texas extends north of Fredericksburg offering a landscape of rugged limestone outcroppings, pristine rivers and creeks, panoramic views and 600 + acres of vineyards. With more than 70 wineries, plus a fine collection of tasting rooms, this region is becoming a favorite of wine-loving Texans. The wineries and tasting rooms along US Hwy 290 offer up music, and specialty food on Saturdays and Sundays, too. Stay in the midst of the only vineyard in the city at Baron’s Creekside, a collection of 12 hand-crafted Swiss log cabins and 4 unique family homes, surrounded by a continuously-flowing creek. Within its own vineyard, grapes (Petite Syrah) are grown for the property’s own premium boutique style wines which guests can taste exclusively at the property’s own Club.
Finger Lakes Wine Region of New York
Located in Upstate New York, this American Viticultural Area located south of Rochester, NY encompasses eleven glacial lakes. The Finger Lakes was named America’s top wine region in a 2018 nationwide poll conducted by 10Best.com, an affiliate of USA Today, so perhaps it’s not as unexpected as some other wine regions. The area around Canandaigua Lake offers up approximately 100 wineries, so those staying at Sutherland House Victorian B&B, Bella Rose B&B, 1840 Inn on the Main, or B&B at Oliver Phelps can get in on a number of wine tours, wine tastings, and winery events in the region. Home to not only wineries but award-winning B&Bs, Canandaigua attracts thousands of wine lovers every year.
Throughout the USA and Europe, you’ll find plenty of B&Bs on bnbfinder.com offering the perfect sipping and tasting experiences. Looking for the perfect gift for that wine traveler who has everything? Give the gift of a bed and breakfast gift card, honored at 100’s of B&Bs worldwide, and let your favorite B&B traveler enjoy the trip of a lifetime to the B&B of their choice.
