Everyone Needs a Wine Weekend—Here’s Where to Go

The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West. These eight destinations are the 2026 winners of the Where to Go: Wine Country Escapes category. Check out the complete list of winners here. For our definitive and searchable travel directory to help you plan your next trip in the West, click here.

Healdsburg, California

Courtesy of Stay Healdsburg

Surrounded by the storied wine-growing regions of the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valleys, Healdsburg is the perfect home base for exploring Sonoma. We love the leafy historic plaza, 40 tasting rooms, Michelin-starred restaurants, boutique hotels, and small town-vibes.

McMinnville

Timothy Sofranko

If you want a taste of the way wine country used to be, this vibrant small town in Oregon is it. With a thriving wine scene, exceptional restaurants, and craft makers, each with an eye for sustainability, the McMinnville community proves that the indie Pacific Northwest is alive and well.

Napa Valley

Bob McClenahan, courtesy of Visit Napa Valley

Few destinations embody the good life quite like Napa Valley, with its world-class wine, exceptional food, wellness experiences, and beautiful scenery. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a restorative solo retreat, or a weekend with friends, the region’s remarkable range of experiences rewards one and all.

Santa Barbara Wine Country

Courtesy of Santa Barbara Wine Country

With more than 300 wineries and an energetic new generation of vintners, Santa Barbara Wine Country remains one of the West’s most exciting wine destinations. Winemaker-led tastings, vineyard tours, seasonal festivals, and exceptional food experiences invite visitors to explore a region where innovation and craftsmanship go hand-in-hand.

Walla Walla, Washington

Victoria Wright

Walla Walla pairs one of the West’s most acclaimed wine scenes with the charm of a walkable small town rich in culture and history. Between cellar doors, visitors can explore galleries, catch a performance, dine at standout restaurants, and discover a community where agriculture, creativity, and hospitality intersect.

Paso Robles

Courtesy of Travel Paso

Paso Robles is a Central Coast destination where laid-back charm meets a refined sense of place. Known for its award-winning wine region, the area is defined by rolling vineyard landscapes, a vibrant downtown, and a welcoming, unpretentious atmosphere that invites visitors to slow down and stay awhile. Beyond the glass, Paso Robles offers a rich mix of experiences, from scenic outdoor adventures and locally driven dining to a growing arts and culture scene that reflects the creativity of the region. With its blend of natural beauty, community spirit, and evolving hospitality, Paso Robles continues to establish itself as one of California’s most compelling destinations for a well-rounded getaway.

Lodi

Elise Giordano

A true farm charm escape just 90 minutes from the Bay Area, Lodi is California’s cozy wine powerhouse, producing a staggering one-fifth of the state’s total harvest. Unpretentious by nature, it’s a place where seasoned oenophiles and casual sippers alike are welcomed with equal warmth and where a multi-generational wine culture offers accessibility with every tasting. In the heart of town, Lodi welcomes an on-the-rise culinary scene guided by a generous farm-to-table approach. Visitors can enjoy artisanal coffee roasters, century-old dining institutions, and new celebrity chef-driven eateries. Step outdoors and travelers will find endless ways to explore, whether meandering along the historic Mokelumne River, paddling or kayaking through waters once traveled during the Gold Rush, horseback riding across nearby ranchlands, or wandering expansive campgrounds and scenic trails.

The Walls Vineyards

Courtesy of The Walls Vineyards

The Walls Vineyards represents what’s next in American wine culture, where a love and respect for what’s classic intermingles with a passion for the eclectic. Based in Walla Walla, the winery crafts wines that reflect the full range of the state’s vineyards, from single-vineyard cabernet sauvignon to expressive blends made from Rhône and Portuguese grape varieties rarely seen in the region. Their downtown Walla Walla winery serves as a hub for this exploration. Visitors can taste across The Walls’ family of brands, including Stanley Groovy Wines and PÁŠXA Wines, while experiencing the winery’s broader desire to shine a light on the vineyards, chefs, and producers in their community.