Eight North American Wine Regions to Visit In Your RV
If you want to appear cultured and catch a buzz at the same time, it’s hard to beat wine! Grapes grow in bunches, and the wineries that produce them tend to cluster together too.
If you ever have the chance to visit the vineyards of France and Italy they will provide an unforgettable experience, but North America has its fair share of wineries as well.
The good news for RV enthusiasts is that the wine regions tend to offer beautiful scenery and excellent opportunities for camping. Wine is grown in many parts of the US, so enjoy the road and enjoy the wine, just remember not to drink and drive.
Here are just a few of the regions that the RVer with a taste for grapes will want to explore.
Okanagan Region of British Columbia
Nearly 200 wineries dot the scenic landscape of the Okanagan Valley in BC, featuring world class Chardonnay, Riesling, sparkling wines and Pinot Gris.
After enjoying the beach at the Gallagher Lake Resort in Oliver, head north to Penticton for lakeside relaxation and stunning hillside wineries. The drive from Penticton to Kelowna is magnificent.
Upon arrival you might just catch a glimpse of Ogopogo, the lake monster that reportedly lives in Okanagan Lake.
Washington
Washington is the second largest premium wine producer in the United States with 970+ wineries, 350+ wine grape growers, nearly 70 varieties of wine produced, and 58,000+ acres of wine grapes. In other words, there's lots of wine to be had.
Washington produces about 59% red to 41% white, so if you prefer red and your partner prefers white, Washington is a good middle ground.
Check out Wine Country RV Park when you're here. It's located in the center of
Washington's Wine Country in the sunny Lower Yakima Valley.
Photo Credit: Washington State Wine
California
Let’s start with the obvious.
California holds a mythical place in the collective imagination of American pop culture. Great scenery and great wine are just two of the ingredients in the Sunshine State’s winning formula. The Napa Valley region is home to some of the world’s premiere wines—a paradise for connoisseurs and novices alike!
Lots of great RV parks exist in and around San Francisco and Napa Valley, and you’ll love the scenery as much as the wine.
Those looking to put some miles on their RV should note that wines are produced in many regions of California, as well as the state’s northern neighbor of Oregon. If you really want to cover some territory, extend your trip north to Vancouver Island and explore the wineries that region has to offer.
It’s accessible via ferry from several points in Washington State and the province of Bitish Columbia.
Colorado
The Centennial State boasts over 100 wineries, located throughout various regions.
Grand Junction in the western part of the state has the highest concentration of wineries, although the Boulder/Denver area, further north, is another area of note for wine-lovers. Nearby Estes Park, the location of the headquarters for Rocky Mountain National Park, is popular with RV enthusiasts due to its natural beauty and outdoor activity.
Texas Hill Country
Head west of Austin and north of San Antonio and hit Texas Hill Country. Highway 290 will take you through the hills from Austin to Fredericksburg, offering tasty scenery and wine.
Chardonnay is the most popular variety of wine in this area of the ‘lone star state’, but there’s plenty of Cab Sauv as well.
RVTexasyall lists dozens of RV-friendly campgrounds in the region, so after you’ve finished touring the vineyard, grab a bottle to enjoy later that evening as you relax after a day of sightseeing.
Virginia
Ah, the Atlantic Ocean, the Appalachian Mountains, and wine. These things and more await you in the state of Virginia.
Founding Father Thomas Jefferson tried, and reportedly failed, to grow wine here. But, nowadays over 200 wineries have succeeded.
Visit Jefferson’s home and gardens in Monticello, and extend your trip to neighboring West Virginia where RVers enjoy picturesque Blackwater Falls State Park.
Niagara Region
Unbelievable quantities of roaring water isn’t the only thing going down in the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada... it’s also home to about 50 wineries.
Although there are quite a few varieties grown here, it’s the ice wines that have gained international renown. And while the waters of Niagara Falls flow at approximately 85,000 cubic feet per second, we recommend savouring the sweet dessert wine at a much slower rate.
A few hours away you’ll find the Finger Lake region of New York State, where lakeside wineries offer quality Chardonnays and Rieslings.
Extend your drive to Long Island where you’ll find Merlot and Chardonnay on the menu.
From there you may be tempted to visit the Big Apple itself, about 80 miles away. Just don’t even attempt to park your RV in Manhattan.
New England and the Maritimes
To accompany your Vermont wine, consider visiting some of the 50 artisan cheesemakers along the Vermont Cheese Trail. We’ve heard they go well together.
In New Hampshire’s southeastern corner you’ll find over two dozen wineries, as well as cider mills.
For an international extension to your trip, travel through Maine to the Canadian Maritime provinces. The St. John/Digby ferry crosses the Bay of Fundy: home to some of the world’s highest tides, as well as whale watching adventures. Visit Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley region for a blossoming wine scene, and be sure to order the lobster.
These are just a few of the regions where delicious wines and beautiful geography intersect. Wine and camping are both known to provide relaxation, so an RV tour through wine country would be an unforgettable vacation.
To eliminate the stress of an uneven camper, bring along our Lynx Levelers. They’re stackable, affordable and specifically designed to stabilize your camper.
They’re backed by a 10-year warranty, and are just one of the great products you’ll find at trilynx.com, so browse our website today and take your RV game up a notch.