California Wine Country

One of the most advertised romantic getaways is the wine tour. In the United States this is especially popular in the California wine country of the Napa and Sonoma valleys. Some of the country’s most celebrated wines have been created here, and wine critics go head-to-head on wine varieties, growing characteristics, and California versus French or Italian.

The very nature of food and wine offer the perfect setting for romance

From the northern town of Mendocino where the road snakes in and out of steep hills, visitors are afforded dramatic views of the coastline. Continuing up the road transports one into spires of redwoods that hide the sky overhead like primitive cathedrals. South of here are the more well-known Napa and Sonoma counties, home to big --Beringer Vineyards-- and small --Plumpjack Winery. And still south, Santa Barbara, the southernmost point of this popular California region. Accomodations are as varied as swank spa lodgings to more mainstream hotels and motels with bed and breakfast spots peppered along the way. Do not forget the proximity to San Francisco that this key region offers, too.

Depending on the time of year, you might find Napa and Sonoma swamped with wine tourists, which could quite possibly put a damper on your romantic mood. In this case, seek out some of the smaller wineries for a more intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience. For detailed information there are countless resources on the internet, but don’t rule out contacting local Visitors’ Bureaus and Chambers of Commerce for further information. For comprehensive travel advice for the California wine tourist, visit the “Wine Country” website at www.winecountry.com

Other Regions

Want to try something new in the wine tour theme? Almost all regions of the United States offer increasing numbers of wineries with their own characteristics and hometown flavor. Every state has a “wine trail” these days. In the Southeast, Virginia “is for lovers” as it is for wines. All areas of this beautiful state have wine offerings and the landscape varies from low-lying coastline to the sunny Shenandoah valley and the more mountainous Blue Ridge. More metropolitan areas are Richmond, Virginia Beach, and historic Williamsburg. Here, you are close to Washington, D.C., too. Take a look at “Virginia Wines”, www.virginawines.org, for detailed information on this region.

Craving a romantic getaway among the towns of the New England coast? Try pairing your coastal wanderings with a visit or two to a few of the region’s reputable, but small, wineries. Search online by state and you will run into more information than you need for that intimate New England holiday and wine tasting.