While France, Italy and Spain may be known as the heavy hitters in the world's wine industry, the United States alone has nearly 250 American Viticultural Areas (AVA) and over 8,000 wineries. And many of these facilities aren't just making wine; they're offering behind-the-scenes tours, hosting tastings and even partnering with chefs to run some of the nation's top restaurants.
We invited a panel of experts to nominate their top picks for each category and then invited our readers to vote for the next four weeks. The results are in!
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best New Winery: Stone Ashe Vineyards in Hendersonville, North Carolina
Stone Ash Vineyards named Best New Winery of 2022 — Photo courtesy of NDStock // Getty Images
Craig and Tina Little spent years searching for American soil that would match their beloved Bordeaux region of France. They found it on 67 acres of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, then mated grapevine clones from France with California rootstock. Stone Ashe has now opened their 3,100-square-foot tasting room for their wines with a full catering kitchen that can support wedding receptions and special events.
Full list of winners: Best New Winery »
Best Wine Club: Naked Wines
Naked Wines voted Best Wine Club of 2022 — Photo courtesy of N/A
Naked Wines invests in independent winemakers, so customers get insider prices to exclusive wines. Customers, known as Angels, deposit a monthly membership fee into an Angel account, which can be used to order wine from indie winemakers at any time.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Club »
Best Wine Festival: Key West Food & Wine Festival in Key West, Florida
Best Wine Festival? Key West Food & Wine Festival — Photo courtesy of Key West Food and Wine Festival
Escape winter and head to the sunny Florida Keys! This creative festival is the perfect escape for the wintertime blues in their 14th year. 10Best Wine Expert Dynie Sanderson remarks, “With over 20 unique events, held at spectacular island locations, this is an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of wines and cuisine.”
Full list of winners: Best Wine Festival »
Best Wine Region: Walla Walla Valley in Washington
Walla Walla Valley selected as Best Wine Region of 2022 — Photo courtesy of Richard Duval Images
Italian immigrants began growing wine grapes in Washington’s Walla Walla Valley in the 1850s. Today, this region features more than 100 wineries producing a range of varietals, most popularly cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah, cabernet franc and malbec. The American Viticultural Area spreads across the border into Oregon as well.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Region »
Best Wine Tasting Room: Long Shadows Vintners in Walla Walla, Washington
Long Shadows Vintners voted Best Wine Tasting Room of 2022 — Photo courtesy of Long Shadows Vintners
Allen Shoup, the founder of Long Shadows Vintners, struck up a friendship with Dale Chihuly in the 1980s. Today, the Chihuly Tasting Room features work by the famous glass artist, including a custom chandelier and a custom-designed installation inspired by the fields of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Tasting Room »
Best Wine Tour: Snake River Wine Tours in Idaho
Best Wine Tour of 2022? Snake River Wine Tours — Photo courtesy of 10:31 Photography
Located less than an hour from Boise, explore the Sunnyslope Wine Trail, known as “The Heart of Idaho Wine Country,” with Snake River Wine Tours. Daily excursions include visits to up to four area wineries with award-winning wines and unique tasting experiences. Snake River’s special relationships with the local wineries guarantee guests a “one-of-a-kind” wine tour experience.
Full list of winners: Best Wine Tour »
Best Winery Hotel: Château Chantal in Traverse City, Michigan
Château Chantal named Best Winery Hotel — Photo courtesy of KEdward // Getty Images
Chateau Chantal, located just north of Traverse City, Michigan, combines a vineyard and winery with luxurious B&B lodging. All suites and rooms have exceptional views of vineyards or Grand Traverse Bay, many with private patios or balconies, and several that offer wet bars and whirlpool tubs. The inn’s amenities include fireplaces and sitting areas, plus an exceptional breakfast.
Full list of winners: Best Winery Hotel »
Best Winery Restaurant: Chaumette Winery in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri
Chaumette Winery is home to the Best Winery Restaurant — Photo courtesy of Jonathan Pollack
The Grapevine Grill at the 310-acre Chaumette Vineyards and Winery, near historic Sainte Genevieve, presents new American cooking with Cajun, Creole and Southwestern influences. Start with their famous New Orleans barbecue shrimp, then enjoy a Cubano or the pan-roasted chicken with saffron Israeli couscous.
Full list of winners: Best Winery Restaurant »
Best Winery Tour: Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in Hammondsport, New York
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery offers the Best Winery Tour — Photo courtesy of luza studios // Getty Images
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, located in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York, offers an 1886 Food and Wine Experience in which guests partake in a guided viticultural or cellar tour followed by a seated wine tasting. This experience is available from May through October and is reservation only. For a less in-depth endeavor, seated wine tastings are offered year-round.
Full list of winners: Best Winery Tour »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10Best.com daily to vote in our Readers' Choice contests.