Oenophiles around the world enjoy wine for more than its mood boosting properties. Drinking wine becomes an experience of the senses. Beyond smell and taste, beautiful vineyards and unique wineries add sight, touch, and hearing to the mix creating a totally immersive experience. Bucket-list worthy wineries that top our list include:
Kailua, Hawaii
Home to poke, coconuts, and sea turtles, Hawaii is a hot spot for foodies and adventure seekers. And since the 1970s, it has grown in popularity for its wine scene. Located in gorgeous Kailua, Winery Oeno has been crafting island-inspired wines since 2008. Winery Oeno takes a hands-on approach to wine, allowing guests to make their own. For those able to wait 4-6 weeks, guests become temporary vintners, personalizing their wine from start to finish! Taste test, pick your favorite blend, create your own label, bottle it, and cork it. Wanna leave it to the pros? Enjoy unique flavors like Tropical Coconut Lime Sangria and Plum Passion Sangria.
Geyserville, California
For vacations with the whole family, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Geyserville, CA is the easy choice. Considered a “wine wonderland”, this winery truly has something for most everyone. The winery sits on a grand estate large enough for a park area, performing arts pavilion, bocce court, and two swimming pools totaling 3,600 square feet. The first in Northern California to feature a swimming pool, the Francis Ford Coppola Winery takes wine drinking to a new level with live performances, salsa dancing, and year-round festive fanfare.
Napa, California
The Palmaz Vineyard provides guests with a total behind-the-scenes experience, inviting them to tour its multi-level underground winery cave. Extending 18 stories into Napa Valley’s Mount George, the “cave” is a well-engineered maze of tunnels and domes showcasing 24 fermentation tanks. Why underground? Beyond an incredible storage solution, the wine benefits from the natural temperature control of the underground, rocky cave. Following the tour, guests enjoy a private tasting of wine varietals from across the estate.
Cream Ride, New Jersey
A small town with big wine taste, the Cream Ridge Winery was founded in 1988 and continues to attract visitors from all over. Locals and tourists love Cream Ridge Winery for its family feel and lively food and music festivals. This New Jersey winery utilizes homegrown grapes, cranberries, and other fruits to create their fruity wine flavors such as Barbera, a cherry delight.
San Francisco, California
Located on San Francisco’s historical Treasure Island, Sottomarino embraced the city’s history as a former US Naval Base and repurposed a training submarine vessel into an urban tasting room. Under the sea in spirit, guests enjoy Italian wines while soaking in the views of the Bay Bridge.