48% of Travelers Surveyed Plan to Visit a U.S. Vineyard This Year

TripAdvisor, the world’s most popular and largest travel community, today announced its top 10 North American wine destinations, according to TripAdvisor editors. Travelers are particularly interested in wineries this fall, with searches for the term “vineyards” up 10 percent on TripAdvisor over the past six weeks, compared to the same period last year.

In a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. respondents, 48 percent plan to visit a U.S. vineyard this year, with 40 percent planning to do so this fall. Travelers are most interested in visiting California favorites Napa Valley (29 percent) and Sonoma (18 percent), with the Finger Lakes, New York and Willamette Valley, Oregon tied for third place with eight percent. When it comes to good taste, 59 percent prefer red wine, 43 percent want white and 12 percent request rose.

1. No Contest for Napa: Napa Valley, California
The undisputed American capital of wine has earned its reputation thanks to seemingly endless picturesque vineyards and world-class wines. The valley’s gorgeous scenery serves as the backdrop to both amazing large-scale wineries as well as smaller, intimate (but no less excellent) wineries.
Top Value hotel in Napa, California: Chablis Inn — Average nightly rate: $114

2. Sublime Sonoma: Sonoma, California
Protected by mountains from excessive rainfall, Sonoma has an ideal climate for growing grapes on its numerous vineyards. Napa’s neighbor is smaller in terms of wine production, but has the highly sought-after wines and sweeping vistas to make it an enchanting wine destination.

3. Oregonian Oenophilia: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Oregon produces far less wine than its Californian counterparts, but distinguishes itself for its outstanding pinot noirs and other varietals. Willamette Valley, one of Oregon’s major wine-growing regions, has more than 200 charming wineries, and is considered the hub of the state’s wine industry.