Best ways to enjoy wine in the US, from wine clubs to festivals

While France, Spain, and Italy may be known as the heavy hitters in the world’s wine industry, the United States alone is home to more than 250 American Viticultural Areas (AVA) and, according to the Wines Vines Analytics Winery Database, has over 10,000 wineries. And many of these facilities aren’t just making wine; they’re offering behind-the-scenes tours, hosting tastings, and even partnering with chefs to run some of the nation’s top restaurants.
USA TODAY 10Best invited a panel of experts to nominate their top picks across 10 different wine-centric categories, then we asked our readers to vote for their favorites among them. Here are our 2024 winners.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Naked Wines invests in independent winemakers, so customers get insider prices to exclusive wines. Customers, known as Angels, deposit a monthly membership fee into an Angel account, which can be used to order wine from indie winemakers at any time.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Club »
Chateau Chantal, located just north of Traverse City, Michigan, combines a vineyard and winery with luxurious B&B lodging. All suites and rooms have exceptional views of vineyards or Grand Traverse Bay, many with private patios or balconies, and several that offer wet bars and whirlpool tubs. The inn’s amenities include fireplaces and sitting areas, plus an exceptional breakfast.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Country Hotel »
Sandy beaches and sailboats set the scene for this week-long festival in San Diego. Celebrity chefs, top-notch winemakers, mixologists, master sommeliers, brewmasters, and James Beard Award-winning authors join together for a bevy of exciting events.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Festival »
Yakima Valley, Washington, is revered for its role as a pioneer in the state’s wine industry. Its vineyards, graced with over 300 days of sunshine a year, are nestled between rolling hills and fertile lands, creating a stunning travel destination packed with natural beauty. Combine that with a number of high-quality wineries and you’ve got an essential destination within the Pacific Northwest’s wine corridor.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Region »
Bet you’d never imagine stumbling across a quaint wine and Cuban cigar shop in the heart of the Lowcountry, but that’s exactly what ta·ca·rón is. Cuban-born owner, Juan Carlos Jiménez, combines the finest Cuban cigars and coffee with an outstanding stock of boutique wines, especially from South America and Spain — and not a single brand on the shelf gets there without being tasted first. They also offer a wine club, and you can arrange private tasting sessions.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Shop »
Whether you’re seeking a classic tasting experience, looking to create your own journey with a tableside tasting, or hoping to find some new pairings for your favorite dishes, the Estate Tasting Room at Willamette Valley Vineyards has it all. Enjoy the views from the patio before or after embarking on an amazing tasting experience.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Tasting Room »
Located less than an hour from Boise, explore the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, known as “The Heart of Idaho Wine Country,” with Snake River Wine Tours. Excursions include visits to up to four area wineries with award-winning wines and unique tasting experiences. Snake River’s special relationships with the local wineries ensure that guests enjoy a “one-of-a-kind” wine tour experience.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Tour Company »
Set in the gorgeous Europa Village, Bolero Restaurante brings a taste of Spain, with a tapas-style menu served alongside fantastic full-bodied Temecula wines. Indulge in Spanish ham, paella, pork belly chicharrones, or ceviche, enjoying the best of traditional old-world dining and hospitality. Bolero also serves an outstanding breakfast, ranging from chorizo and Manchego omelets to tortilla Española.
Full list of winners: Best Winery Restaurant »
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, located in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York, offers an 1886 Wine Experience in which guests partake in a guided viticultural or cellar tour followed by a seated wine tasting. This in-depth educational experience is available from May through October and is reservation only.
Full list of winners: Best Winery Tour »
French Bloom was founded by women motivated to offer celebratory options without alcohol. There are two bottlings: Le Blanc, crafted from a chardonnay blend, and Le Rosé, which incorporates a bit of pinot noir. Additionally, French Bloom takes pride in presenting La Cuvée 2022 Blanc de Blancs, a vintage French sparkling wine.
Full list of winners: Best Non-Alcoholic Wine »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in more Readers’ Choice Awards.