Wine is more than a tasty beverage you order at a restaurant or pair with seafood. If you ask us, a great vino is essentially geography in a bottle: Factors like soil, elevation, and climate all work together to create the terroir, the environment the wine is grown in and ultimately inform its notes and aromas. It’s these small details that are why pinot noir from Oregon’s Willamette Valley tastes different from the same varietal grown in California’s Russian River Valley.
Napa and Sonoma might be the go-to places to sip on the West Coast, but if you want to expand your palate, you might want to make the trek to an underrated wine region. Not only can you understand all the nuances of your go-to grape, but you can also use this as an opportunity to check out some stunning, multi-sensory tasting rooms.
But where to? With so many wineries to peruse, planning a cheersworthy itinerary might be easier said than done. To help, we’ve found five lesser-known regions to consider—plus wonderful wineries to check out while you’re there.
Philo, California
Navarro Vineyards & Winery
If you’re a regular in Napa or Sonoma Valley, keep driving all the way up to Anderson Valley. It’s just under 100 miles north of Sonoma—so it’ll take you some time to get there—but it’s well worth the schlep. Here, a cool coastal climate and diverse soils are particularly good for sparkling wine as well as white varietals like riesling, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc. Similar to Napa and Sonoma, the valley is packed with smaller towns, but Philo is dotted with some truly terrific tasting rooms.
Where to Taste: There’s no shortage of wine at Navarro Vineyard & Winery, the oldest original-family-owned vineyard in Anderson Valley. When husband-wife duo Ted and Deborah Bennett opened the property in 1973, they wanted to recreate the delicious wines they loved from Alsace, France, in California. Now? Navarro is rife with chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, and more. Pro tip: Order a glass of the gewürztraminer, which has a delightful, floral taste.
Carmel, California
Folktale Winery & Vineyard
Carmel might be known for its robust marine life and champion-worthy golf course, but don’t discount its wine scene. Located about 120 miles south of San Francisco, this coastal area’s mineral-rich soil delivers flavorful, full-bodied wines. Since Carmel is so close to the water, this cooler climate is an excellent match for chardonnay and pinot noir.
Where to Taste: With a bounty of different wine types—classics like chardonnay and pinot noir as well as blends, sparkling, and an aromatic syrah—Folktale Winery & Vineyards has something to intrigue virtually every oenophile. You might come to Folktale for its variety, but it has so much more to offer. Nestled on 15 acres of sustainably farmed grounds and pristine gardens, the property has an idyllic, storybook feel from the moment you arrive. A stylish sip, if you will.
Paso Robles, California
DAOU Vineyards
As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life—which is why you’ll want to beeline it to Paso Robles. Sandwiched between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and about 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean’s coastline, this new-to-many area is blessed with a bunch of microclimates. Not only is it possible to grow a handful of varietals like chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, but the ocean breeze cools down the area—and helps preserve the grapes’ acidity in the process.
Where to Taste: Perched on top of its eponymous mountain, DAOU Vineyards is arguably the crown jewel of the area. First-timers can enjoy a tour of the grounds or sip directly from a barrel, while a proper tasting will give you access to beloved varietals like Chemin de Fleurs or its marquee Soul of a Lion. Hungry? Chef Spencer Johnson has a seasonal culinary program, which often features duck confit and pan-seared scallops.
Moab, Utah
Spanish Valley Vineyard & Winery
We know what you’re thinking: Utah? Really? Unlike many other regions on this list, the landlocked state isn’t blessed with a coastal breeze. However, its higher elevation and volcanic soil creates some dynamic and slightly herbaceous vino. Plus, the high desert climate lays a delicious foundation for tempranillo or albariño.
Where to Taste: After a long day hiking at Canyonlands or Arches National Park, treat yourself to a tasting at Spanish Valley Vineyard & Winery. Located a few miles from both outdoorsy sites, this tasting room offers small-batch varietals like cabernet sauvignon and dry riesling. Feeling adventurous? Grab a bottle of the winery’s cherry wine. While Spanish Valley is open every day from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., go later in the day. That way, you can enjoy the sunset—and, if you’re lucky, live music—with a glass of wine in hand.
Cornville, Arizona
Page Spring Cellars
Believe it or not, Arizona is yet another desert location that is a wine lover’s diamond in the rough. Here, volcanic soil and higher elevation work together to serve up effortlessly earthy pours. It’s also worth noting that the desert climate—hot in the day, cold at nights—helps the grapes retain their acidity. (Fun fact: That dramatic temperature change is very similar to Argentina’s Mendoza wine region.) While Cornville isn’t exactly a household wine region, it has a bunch of revered wineries in case you want to indulge in a few tastings!
Where to Taste: Tucked along a shaded creek in Arizona’s high desert, Page Springs Cellars’s sustainably minded winery offers a uniquely immersive experience. On occasion, this property does source grapes from New Mexico and California; however, most of the fruit is grown in three estate vineyards right in Arizona. Page Springs Cellars trades in the pinots and chardonnays for a roster of obscure varietals: Expect some yummy blends made with barbera, mourvèdre, and grenache, among others.
While you’re there, enjoy an estate tour, guided wine tastings, or curated lunch and dinner menu. For a more relaxed setup, picnic-friendly provisions are also available, offering a snack and sip set against a backdrop of vineyard views and creekside desert beauty.
