5 Wine Growing Regions Every Oenophile Should Visit
The places to steal away to for prime wine tasting experiences.
Courtesy of Visit Temecula Valley
The Sunset Travel Awards celebrate the best in travel in the West, and this year we had another record-breaking number of entrants of the highest level across all categories. These destinations are the 2024 winners of the Where to Go: Wine Country Escapes & Destinations 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.
Temecula Valley
Courtesy of Visit Temecula Valley
Temecula Valley, Southern California’s Wine Country, is known for its welcoming spirit and its quality wines. With nearly 50 wineries, panoramic views, al fresco dining, and live music, it’s a laid-back paradise for people seeking a vibrant, unpretentious wine country experience. Adventure awaits with hiking, biking, hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, and more. Nearby Old Town Temecula offers historic charm, quaint shops, and cultural experiences. Special events like the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival make it a year-round destination, blending rustic charm with modern amenities.
San Luis Obispo County
Courtesy of Visit SLO CAL
Midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, SLO contains all the quintessential California hallmarks—picturesque beaches, rolling vineyards, fields of wildflowers, and plenty of small-town charm. It’s safe to say your camera roll will be loaded with gems from cultural attractions like the Sensorio Field of Light and Hearst Castle. Plus, did someone say sand dunes? Wine country has never been so diverse and entertaining.
McMinnville, Oregon
Thomas J. Story
McMinnville is at the heart of one of the Pacific Northwest’s most notable wine regions. And while the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir undoubtedly draws visitors (and winemakers) from far and wide, it’s far from the only thing on the menu. Think unrivaled farm-to-table cuisine, lush landscapes, and a quirky, down-home vibe that is reminiscent of the nearby city of Portland.
The Township of Santa Ynez
Courtesy of The Genevieve
The Santa Ynez Valley perfectly balances Wild West charm with modern sophistication. With period-style facades and hitching posts, and streets lined with shops, galleries, tasting rooms, and museums, visitors can partake in experiences both ranchy and rad by turns. With wineries like Sunstone and Gainey Vineyards, diverse restaurants and lodging, and the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society Museum, it’s the ideal base to explore the surrounding Central Coast wine country.
Healdsburg
Courtesy of Montage 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 all that’s vinous in Sonoma. With a leafy historic plaza, 40 tasting rooms, Michelin-starred restaurants, boutique hotels, small town-vibes, and both the Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience and a jazz festival rounding out its cultural offerings, it’s a wine and food lover’s favorite that sets the high bar for wine country charm.
