4 Under-the-Radar Wine Destinations Worth Exploring

Sure, you know about Napa Valley and Tuscany, but there's great wine to be found across the country. Here are four lesser-known vino destinations you should visit.

Author:: Sophia McDonald
Publish date:: Aug 5, 2020

1. Southern Oregon

Despite the popularity of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the nearby Umpqua, Rogue, and Applegate valleys remain little-known but worthwhile wine stops, particularly for pinot noir. Top picks: Abacela and 2Hawk Vineyard & Winery.

2. Central Virginia

Settlers first planted grapes here nearly 400 years ago. Explore the area via the Monticello Wine Trail, which boasts 33 wineries along the Blue Ridge Mountains.

3. Boise, Idaho

The grape-growing bona fides of Idaho’s Snake River Valley are due to volcanic soil and a riverside microclimate, which makes for a mighty tasty terroir for wines like Syrah and cabernet sauvignon.

4. Lake County, California

Despite being a grape’s throw from Napa and Sonoma, fewer people venture to this North Coast locale, where you can find bold varietals like the widely planted (and delicious) cabernet sauvignon.

This article originally appeared in our Summer 2020 issue. Get the magazine here .