Sip & Spa Part 2: Unexpected Wine Regions You Need to Visit

Northeast: The Hudson Valley, New York State

Fun Fact: The Hudson Valley is America’s oldest wine-producing region! Located just a few miles from the hustle and bustle of New York City, the Hudson Valley offers beautiful outdoor trails, lots of history, and some truly gorgeous views!

Where to Stay & Spa:  Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz is the perfect location for resting up during your tour of New York State’s wine region.

Where to Sip: Blaze a new trail and head out on the Shawangunk Wine Trail. From New Paltz to Warwick, each of these intimate family-owned wineries offers you a true and unique taste of New York State!

Southeast: Loudoun County, Virginia

Loudoun County is a truly picturesque countryside with rolling hills, horse farms, and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. Just a few miles from Washington, DC, it’s the perfect long-weekend getaway from the city. Wineries here all have a unique feel – from renovated dairy farms to sprawling estates.

Where to Stay & Spa: Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg is perfectly located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Head over to the spa for a relaxing treatment or work on your fitness with equestrian yoga!

Where to Sip: Salamander has its own Gold Cup Wine Bar which hosts select area winemakers each month and offers tastings and wine dinners but if you want to get out on the trails, there are over 200 wineries to chose from! One notable vineyard is Boxwood Winery where five award-winning varietals of red wine are produced!

Midwest: Ashtabula County, Ohio

With 18 covered bridges, charming lighthouses, the beaches along Lake Erie, and twenty area wineries, Ashtabula County in Northeastern Ohio offers loads of Midwestern charm! The Lake Erie and Grand River Valley regions are the largest grape growing regions in the state and grow 65% of all the grapes in Ohio!

Where to Stay and Spa: When in Ohio’s wine region, where better to stay and spa than at a winery? The Lakehouse Inn & Winery in Geneva has 4 cottages and 8 guestrooms all right on the water! Head over to the spa for the Wine & Chocolate Signature Facial for just $69!

Where to Sip: After you sip and spa at The Lakehouse Winery, hop on Lake Erie’s “Wines & Vines” Wine Trail! There are 20 wineries along the trail which is set on the south shore of Lake Erie and offer great award-winning vino!

South: Hill Country, Texas

It’s been said that the Texas Hill Country is the “new Napa,” and just taking a look at its 42 wineries, all with their own individual feel and amazing wines, it’s no wonder!

Where to Stay and Spa: Just 20 minutes from downtown Austin, Travaasa Austin is the perfect location for your visit to Hill Country! Sample native Texas wines, head over to the spa for truly refreshing and renewing treatments, or check out the experience schedule for tons of special classes and events!

Where to Sip: Four times a year, Hill Country creates fun and festive wine trail events where you can visit a selection of the 42 wineries! Check out texaswinetrail.com for events, special trails, and more!

Northwest: Willamette Valley, Oregon 

Known for its award-winning Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley is home to an unbelievable group of more than 300 wineries!

Where to Stay and Spa: It’s been voted the #1 Wine Country Hotel by Travel & Leisure, The Allison Inn & Spa is the perfect destination for your Willamette Valley getaway! Settled on 35 acres, with 85 guestrooms and suites, and a fabulous spa to relax and unwind, The Allison boosts an impressive 800-label wine list and 5 acres of its own vineyards!

Where to Sip: With over 300 wineries, it can be difficult to plan the perfect “wine trail,” but willamettewines.com makes it easy by breaking down the wineries by region, features, and even varieties!

Southwest: Verde Valley, Arizona

Located right in Central Arizona, Verde Valley offers breathtaking views of red rock landscape and the gorgeous canyons Arizona is known for.

Where to Stay and Spa: Enchantment Resort and it’s Mii amo Spa (which also offers a Destination Spa experience for those hoping to renew their mind, body, and soul during their wine country adventure) is the perfect place to kick back in the Verde Valley.

Where to Sip: With 12 wineries and tasting rooms, the Verde Valley Wine Trail offers the perfect map for experiencing Arizona’s Verde Valley varietals!