Even if you are not a wine enthusiast, you’re likely familiar with some of the big names among the grape growing regions in the U.S. Names like Willamette Valley in Oregon and the world-famous Napa Valley in California. But you might be surprised to know that some of the best wine destinations aren’t even on the West Coast. They are, in fact, all over the country. From the Southwest to the Smokies and up to the peninsulas of Michigan, there’s as much diversity in American wine as there are places to park your RV! Which means that no matter where you’re starting from, you have a ripe selection of RV wine tours.
Indulging in region-specific wine — and culinary delights that come with them — is an activity that RVs seem made for. Quite simply, your RV is one of the best ways to experience the diverse food culture in America. Because where there is wine, there is almost always fantastic food. But, if you’ve priced out a Valentine’s or anniversary weekend in Napa … well, we know exactly what you are thinking! For lots of folks, it simply costs too much.
But take heart. Exploring the wine regions of the U.S. in your RV does not mean you have to spend your annual vacation budget on a single weekend trip. But if you’re considering which RV wine tours might suit you best, there is one membership you definitely don’t want to be without.
One Membership that Will Save You Big
While you can simply stay at campgrounds near wine country, an annual membership to Harvest Hosts provides you a free and delightfully quiet place to stay the night in your RV — at over 1,000 vineyards across the country. (And, of course, also a stay at thousands of other unique locations.) With their annual $99 membership, it costs less than a quarter of a single night in a four-star wine country hotel. That way, you can enjoy a trip to a wine region several times per year at a fraction of the cost. (If you are not yet a Harvest Hosts member, this link will save you 15 percent on your first year’s membership! )
Personally, we’ve stayed at lots of Harvest Hosts wineries — from North Carolina to Washington State. In doing so, we’ve learned a ton about what makes each area a fantastic grape growing region. To make the most of our Harvest Hosts membership, we often go out to an early dinner before heading to our stop for the night. Then we enjoy the sunset and a glass of wine on their patio. Sometimes, we stop by a local cheese shop, bakery, and chocolatier to pick up some fun charcuterie delights then pair them with a bottle of wine that we’ve just sampled from the winery in which we are staying the night. One night, we even got to watch the full moon rise over the vineyard! Add candles and your favorite music, and you’ve created the ultimate romantic night among the vines in your very own RV.
No. 1 Tip: Drive to Drink vs. Drink and Drive
Naturally, all this come with a friendly reminder to never ever drink and drive. The whole idea, really, is that you won’t even be tempted to. You drive to the location where you want to taste, buy, and open more wine — and there you stay. All you need to do is walk from the winery to your RV. No driving is necessary. Many hosts now offer multiple night stays too.
What’s more, some of these grape-growing regions are located in beautiful places. That means you can also explore the natural world and/or wander through historic cities, exploring the areas surrounding these unique wine regions of America is half of the fun. Many of these RV wine tours are even within a day’s drive of a national park!
8 Regions Ripe for RV Wine Tours
Boise, Idaho: The Spud State Surprise
The Spud State is one of those places that continues to surprise! It’s not just potatoes anymore. The varied climate and topography make it a booming wine region. The Eagle Foothills, part of the spectacular Sawtooth Range, is well-suited to growing Rhone and Bordeaux wines, specifically Syrah and Cabernet. There are several vineyards that offer a peaceful atmosphere just outside this vibrant and incredibly friendly city. Boise is also centrally located to several national parks within a one- or two-day drive: Arches, Utah; Crater Lake, Oregon; Great Basin, Nevada; Mount Rainier, Washington; and Yellowstone, Wyoming.
Sedona, Arizona: An Intro to Delicious Desert Wine
The hot days and cool nights of this mountainous region of Arizona allow those Italian reds like Sangiovese, as well as Rhone Valley varietals like Syrah and Grenache, to grow particularly well in the vineyards of the Verde Valley. The Grand Canyon State is also becoming known for delicious sparkling wines, so plan a visit if you have something special to celebrate! Local Sedona culture speaks for itself, but what most don’t realize is how close this famous spiritual place is to other spectacular public lands. If you’ve never been to the Superstition Mountains, trust us when we say you are in for a Sonoran Desert treat!
Las Cruces, New Mexico: An Ancient Grape in the Land of Spice
Winemaking has been a New Mexican tradition for more than 500 years. It all started when Spanish priests first planted the region’s wine grapes. There are now more than 50 wineries in the Chile Capital of the World, with many of them clustered along the riverbanks of the Rio Grande. The region’s intense sun and dry climate make for powerful, complex wines which hold up well to the culinary masterpieces that New Mexican chefs dish out. While in the area, be sure to wander the streets, bars, and restaurants of old town in this historic city — and, of course, pay a visit to Carlsbad Caverns or White Sands National Parks, both located within a few hours of Las Cruces.
Grand Junction, Colorado: A Mountain View’s Perfect Pairing
With high-altitude terrain and reliably sunny days, the western slopes of Colorado has been a fruit-growing region for several generations and is perfect for making wine — with many of the vineyards set against a dramatic Rocky Mountain backdrop. Expect full-bodied Chardonnays and fruit-forward Merlots that will stand up to Napa’s best. Early winters allow the area to make outstanding dessert ice wines made from grapes frozen on the vine. And, of course, you are just a day’s drive from either Rocky Mountain National Park or the four corners region including Mesa Verde National Park!
St. Louis, Missouri: Tasting the American Rhine
German immigrants planted the first European vines in the area over a century ago, which led to naming it the “American Rhine.” Since then, Missouri wineries and vineyards have grown where you’ll find hybrids like Vignoles, as well as native American grapes, including concord and catawba. Be sure to visit the Gateway Arch National Park while you are in the area, too!
Traverse City, Michigan: A Sea of Lake-Cooled Varietals
The Mitten State’s cold winters, warm summers, and glacially-tilled sandy soils near the lakes make it surprisingly similar to some parts of Europe, and an ideal location for growing wine grapes and other fruit. Just above Traverse City and situated along the 45th parallel are two peninsula’s — Old Mission and Leelanau. Dotted along these two skinny land masses extending into Lake Michigan are over 30 wineries — with Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc being just a few of the varietals that have been internationally recognized for their excellence! Ice wines are also a specialty of the region due to those early winter storms that come some years when the grapes are still hanging on the vines. Within a hour’s drive, you can enjoy several bike trails, a dune climb on the famous Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and just about any water sport you can imagine!
Asheville, North Carolina: Bold Reds in the Blue Ridge
Many know Asheville as an artsy, fun city that is full of live music and great restaurants, but it also sits next to some high-quality vineyards. The warm, humid climate is perfect for growing big, bold reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, with many of the local vineyards specializing in blends of these Old World varietals. The Yadkin Valley wine trail, located in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, also has become a significant grape growing region, including wine made from local muscadine grapes. Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park while you are in the area!
Finger Lakes, New York: Blending the Old and New World
Within a few hours drive of the spectacular Adirondack Mountains, the Finger Lakes Wine Country covers five counties, three wine trails, and over 3,000 square miles of endless possibilities for fun! Of all these RV wine tours, this one might have the most branches. Seneca, Cayuga, and Keuka Lakes each have their own wine trails to explore with Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Blaufränkisch being just a few of the common varietals grown in this northerly climate. Local winemakers are experimenting with quite a few other grape varieties grown in both Europe and the country of Georgia. But, the fun does not stop with wine in the region, bring your kayaks to explore the lakes, cycle one of the many bike trails, or hike through some of the jaw dropping gorges nearby, with Watkins Glen gorge being one of the most famous.
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