Wander the Wine Trails of the East Coast
Those of us who are wine appreciators, but not necessarily wine connoisseurs, will naturally think of California’s Napa Valley when the conversation turns to American wines. However, if you consult your friendly, neighborhood sommelier, you’ll discover that some of the best wine in the United States is made clear on the other side of the country—great news for all the wine appreciators who live on the East Coast, like us.
Here are wine trails that can guide you through some of the best wine regions to be found, not just on the East Coast, but in the country.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York
The Finger Lakes region of New York has three exciting wine trails, but the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, established in 1983, is the United States’ oldest organized wine trail. There are 16 wineries included on the trail, and each one is dog-friendly. These wineries have won over 6,000 awards between them—both national and international—and in case you want to include someone whose preferred drink isn’t wine, the trail includes a taproom, a meadery, cideries, and distilleries.
Most of the wineries are only a few minutes apart by car, but if you’d rather not drive yourself, there are bus tours and other wine trail packages available. If you choose to stay in the area for a few days, the Finger Lakes region is a great place for dining, shopping, or outdoor fun like fishing, hiking, or biking.
Bucks County Wine Trail
Bucks County, Pennsylvania
With scenic rolling hills, deep and well-drained soil, and a moderate climate, Bucks County is a natural for grape growing, making the area one of the best vineyard regions on the East Coast. The eight family wineries along the Bucks County Wine Trail are eager to share their heritage by conversing with visitors and touring them through vineyards and wine cellars, demonstrating how they produce their wines, and, of course, providing the opportunity to taste quality wines of all varieties.
There is no one-ticket tour to take you through all eight wineries, but maybe that’s for the best, as you won’t want to be rushed along the way. Work with a travel company to arrange transportation, or drive yourself, using the official Bucks County Wine Trail Map. Check out the colonial-style Peddlers Village for shopping and dining while you’re in the area.
The Wine Tasting Capital of Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia
To experience award-winning wines in Dahlonega, a charming city in the foothills of the scenic North Georgia mountains, you can tour vineyards by driving along the Dahlonega Wine Trail, or indulge on foot, via the newly established Dahlonega Wine Walk. Stop by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center to purchase a wine glass for five dollars, and then get two wine tastings for $2.75 at every participating tasting room downtown—which includes a lot of tasting rooms. After all, Dahlonega has been nicknamed the “Wine Tasting Room Capital of Georgia.”
From premier wining and dining experiences to gorgeous views and fresh mountain air to regular live music and outdoor festivals, the Heart of Georgia Wine Country is a laid-back vacation destination within easy reach of anyone living in the Southeast.
Coastal Wine Trail
Southeastern New England
The 14 wineries along the Coastal Wine Trail in New England have made their reputation through an impressive array of national and international awards. This tight-knit winemaking community is ready to turn wine enthusiasts into wine connoisseurs at their picturesque vineyards and tasting rooms. The heart of the trail is less than 90 minutes from Boston, and under three hours from New York City, and the whole can be experienced in two to three days of hopping from winery to winery along the beautiful New England coast.
To sweeten the deal, you can visit the Coastal Wine Trail website to get a “passport” that you can get stamped at twelve spots along the trail, then enter to win prizes like a seven-day cruise to Bermuda. However, you’ll probably find that just experiencing the wineries is reward enough.
Swan Creek Wine Trail
North Carolina
Five superb wineries make up the Swan Creek Vineyard Association, and you can visit each one in less than twenty miles of total driving. The Swan Creek Wine Trail is within an easy drive of the Triad area in North Carolina (High Point, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem) if you’re coming from the east, Wilkesboro and Boone coming from the north, or Charlotte from the south. The region rests in the shadow of two grand mountain ranges, the Blue Ridge and the Brushys, which have created the mineral-rich, schist-like soil that allows vinifera wine grapes to flourish.
The Vineyards of Swan Creek specialize in French and Italian varietal wines, as well as local blends, and the friendly people, breathtaking views, and award-winning wines to be enjoyed along the trail makes it an excellent destination for East Coast wine lovers. For anyone in your group who’d prefer whiskey to wine, Windsor Run Cellars also has a distillery, along with its vineyard and winery.
Terra Marique Wine Trail
North Florida
Florida currently has 24 independently-owned Certified Farm Wineries, and ten of them are available to visit along the Terra Marique Wine Trail. To be certified, wineries must have at least ten acres of owned or managed vineyards and be open to the public for tasting, tours, and sales at least 30 hours a week.
You may be surprised to learn that Florida actually has a rich wine-making history, dating back to the 16th century. The French Huguenots who settled in Florida around 1562 made wine from the abundant, indigenous Muscadine grapes—the first recorded instance of winemaking in the New World. Muscadine wine is still a sweet staple for many Florida wineries, but you can also find dry wines, sparkling wines, and a range of different reds and whites along the Terra Marique Wine Trail. Exotic or citrus fruit wines can make for an unexpected treat, so prepare to try something new!
We hope you enjoyed this post. If you have a favorite East Coast Wine Trail, please use the comments below and tell us your favorite.
