Scanning the shelves at a standard wine shop might make you think California is the only state making wine worth sipping. And while it’s true that Napa Valley and Sonoma County have some of the most famous wineries stateside, the U.S. is home to a wide swath of regions making excellent wine.
Every single state in the U.S. produces wine, which means there are dozens of overlooked regions worth exploring, whether that means taking a trip to the vineyard or simply picking up a new bottle to try. So we asked sommeliers from across the country to name the region they’re most excited about right now that deserves a little more love. From underappreciated regions in upstate New York to pockets of the Pacific Northwest that remain off the beaten path, here are the most underrated American wine regions, according to sommeliers.
The most underrated American wine regions, according to sommeliers:
- Hudson Valley, N.Y.
- Northern Michigan
- Ballard Canyon, Santa Barbara, Calif.
- Laurelwood District, Willamette Valley, Ore.
- San Luis Obispo Coast, Calif.
- Yakima Valley and Walla Walla Valley, Wash.
- Seneca Lake, N.Y.
- Applegate Valley, Ore.
“The Hudson Valley is one of those wine regions that rewards curiosity because it has never had the luxury of taking an obvious path. The climate is challenging, the growing season is shorter, and the wines tend to have a freshness and restraint that I really love. They’re energetic, food-friendly, and often much more nuanced than people expect from the region. What makes the Hudson Valley particularly interesting to me is that it doesn’t feel like a smaller version of somewhere else: unlike Long Island’s maritime, Bordeaux-leaning wines or the Finger Lakes’ extraordinary Rieslings, the Hudson Valley has developed a more eclectic identity, with winemakers embracing everything from Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay to French-American hybrids. There’s a sense of experimentation and discovery there that feels distinctly American, and I think we’re only beginning to understand how compelling these wines can be.” —Vanessa Price, wine director, Wildflower Farms, Auberge Collection, Gardiner, N.Y.
“The most surprising (and certainly underrated) wines that I’ve tasted in the last few years have actually been from Northern Michigan. Patience, thoughtfulness, and collaborative approaches on the peninsula are really driving a renaissance for the wines here. Names like Dave Bos and Brian Ulbrich (Left Foot Charley) bring a real unbending commitment to growth in the industry, and produce wines that are tasty and, in many cases, improve with each consecutive vintage. Although Riesling is king here, I have tasted multiple compelling examples of other Alsatian varieties that thrive in this climate as well as some interesting and quaffable reds from grapes like Pinot Noir, Gamay, and Blaufränkisch. Paired with a blossoming restaurant and cocktail scene, Northern Michigan is a place to watch (and visit!).” —Erin Healy, head sommelier, Restaurant Daniel, New York City…