American wine tends to be upstaged by Europe’s offerings on the international stage, and when the conversation is U.S.-centric, the Napa Valley consistently gets the most attention. But there are noteworthy wineries in all 50 states, with some growing at an incredible rate.
So, where are the hidden gems across the nation? We decided to ask the folks who know best: sommeliers and winemakers themselves. They’ve highlighted a Virginian renaissance that utilizes centuries-old vines, vineyards in upstate New York that are growing varietals often only seen in Central Europe, and even regions that may seem well established but continue to show impressive range due to the soil diversity.
Here, the stateside winemaking areas that deserve some extra attention.
The most underrated American wine regions, according to wine pros: Monticello, Virginia Walla Walla Valley, Washington Western North Carolina Finger Lakes, New York Northern Virginia Santa Cruz Mountains, California Sonoma County, California Willamette Valley, Oregon Temecula Valley, California
“Monticello in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains is a standout. Vines have been in the area since the 1700s, but there’s been a sort of renaissance over the past couple of decades. Petit Manseng is putting this region on the map, [as] we don’t see much of this grape outside of southwest France, but it has found a second home in Virginia’s clay-heavy, cool, mountainous terroir. Early Mountain Vineyards is one of my favorite [wines], balancing the rich texture of this thick-skinned grape with its racy acidity and aromatic stone
