Tasting room generic

Best Tasting Room

By Readers' Choice On 9/26/24 at 11:59 AM EDT

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Share on Flipboard Share via Email Comments

Ideal for oenophiles who prefer to sit through their tastings rather than tour facilities and vineyards, these tasting rooms are some of the best in the U.S. In the Midwest, you can enjoy wineries with charming country decor and stunning lake views. Heading to the West Coast? You'll get expansive patios with sunset vistas and all-day experiences that include poolside drinks. And in the Northeast, a single tasting room will offer you options from more than a dozen Finger Lakes wineries.

These 10 tasting rooms were selected by our featured panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.

Callaway Vineyard

1. Callaway Vineyard & Winery—Temecula, CA

Sip your favorite blend while watching the sun set behind the distant mountain range at Callaway Vineyard & Winery. In addition to the panoramic views of its Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards from the courtyard, guests can enjoy the sights from its tasting room, outfitted with large windows, or from the on-site restaurant, serving farm-to-table dishes with ingredients from the on-site greenhouse and garden.

L'Ecole

2. L'Ecole Nº 41—Walla Walla, WA

Taking its name from the 1915 schoolhouse it is located in, L'Ecole Nº 41 is one of the oldest wineries in the Walla Walla Valley. While there won't be any tests, you'll still learn plenty during your time in the Tasting Room, a restored classroom complete with original chalkboards. Want more time with the teacher? Make reservations for the Legacy Cellar Experience for an immersive tasting of exclusive wines.

Oliver Winery submitted

3. Oliver Winery—Bloomington, IN

Oliver Winery, nationally recognized for its sweet fruit-forward wine, has been a staple of the wine community in Indiana for over 50 years. Housed inside what looks like a lodge, its tasting room is surrounded by gardens and opens to a covered patio. Guests can pre-book Picnic Packages for a basket full of charcuterie supplies and a souvenir wine tumbler, the perfect glass for a pour of Oliver's Sweet Red.

Alloro Vineyard

4. Alloro Vineyard—Sherwood, OR

Set in the beautiful Willamette Valley, Alloro Vineyard, with its stone façade and lush landscaped grounds, could easily be mistaken for a winery in Italy. Inside the Alloro Tasting House, you'll find vaulted ceilings with exposed wood, floor-to-ceiling windows and seating that extends to a modern patio. While you soak up the ambience, try the Pranzo, a mid-day wine tasting paired with seasonal dishes.

Tasting room generic

5. Francis Ford Coppola Winery—Geyserville, CA

Easily an all-day adventure, a visit to Francis Ford Coppola Winery is a great choice for wine-loving parents. Start with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from the Diamond Collection while the kids play bocce, and then break for a mid-day swim in one of the two massive pools. Order another glass from the Pool Café before drying off and heading inside for a glimpse of Coppola's Academy Awards.

Tasting room generic

6. Ernest Vineyards Tasting Room—Healdsburg, CA

Ernest Vineyards' grapes are grown in the cool climates of West Sonoma Coast, producing wine with naturally bright acidity and remarkable complexity. Located adjacent to Healdsburg Plaza, the modern and refined tasting room has Estate and Reserve options, and if the weather is pleasant, the covered, enclosed patio is the perfect spot for one more glass.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery

7. Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery—Woodinville, WA

Hidden away in 105 wooded acres, Chateau Ste. Michelle is the oldest winery in Washington. The French-style chateau (hence the name) was added in the 1970s and gives the whole property an elegant feel. Open daily, the tasting room offers various experiences, from walk-up flight tastings to guided chocolate and wine pairings.

Tasting room generic

8. Rockside Winery and Vineyards—Lancaster, OH

Stretch out on the covered patio that overlooks rolling hills lined with grape vines and the farmland of Fairfield County when you visit Rockside Winery and Vineyards. Inside the barn-reminiscent tasting room, though, you can learn about the wine-making process from the first plant to the final bottle. Hungry? A small menu includes pizza and cheese plate options.

Chateau Chantel Vineyard

9. Chateau Chantal Winery and Inn—Traverse City, MI

With views of Grand Traverse Bay and Power Island from an expansive courtyard and a patio that overlooks the thriving vineyard, Chateau Chantal is a scenic spot for Michigan wine tasting. Don't miss trying its double gold medal Celebrate! rosé, and if you happen to visit over the summer, grab reservations for Jazz at Sunset, a music and wine collaboration.

Tasting room generic

10. Heron Hill Winery—Hammondsport, NY

Designed to resemble the silos and barns that are scattered throughout the Finger Lakes region, Heron Hill Winery's unique Greek Revival architecture has garnered national attention. Inside, visitors can look out on Keuka Lake from the vaulted tasting room while sampling the cool-climate Rieslings that have become synonymous with the Heron Hill name.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Our Featured Panelists

Amy Piper

Amy Piper is a freelance travel writer, blogger, photographer and author specializing in luxury and multigenerational travel. She is a native Michigander who travels through the lens of a food lover and has been to 45 states and 41 countries around the world. From getting chased by bomb-sniffing dogs in the middle of the night in Bogotá to being boarding on her plane from Buenos Aires to Paraguay due to the wrong visa, Amy always has an exciting adventure to tell her readers and community of travel enthusiasts. Learn more at followthepiper.com.

Jill Robbins

Jill Robbins is an expert writer focusing on family and adventure travel as well as practical tips to help everyone get the most value out of their vacation experience. Jill's work has appeared in the Business Insider, Fodor's Travel, San Antonio Magazine and many other publications. She lives outside San Antonio with her husband and two sons, but she's usually somewhere else. Learn more about her travels at https://www.rippedjeansandbifocals.com or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Susan Lanier-Graham

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.

Theresa Russell

Theresa Russell thrives on the thrill of travel, visiting new destinations and experiencing local food, beverages and culture whether she is in Anchorage or Zihuatanejo. Cruising has a special place in her heart, but she's stranger to other types of travel. Hiking the Inca Trail and cycling across the North American continent rank as some of her most memorable trips. Visiting many countries opened her eyes to the world and made her realize how much we are all alike. She is proud to have received awards for both her writing and photography. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.