Wine Road Trip Across America

It's the last stretch of summer before vacations end and the weather cools down. What better way to take advantage of summer than by taking a wine-themed road trip across the country? We've planned out a great route to take, but feel free to substitute in some of your favorite vineyards.

MAINE: Start your journey at Cellardoor Winery & Vineyards in Lincolnville, Maine's oldest vineyard. Cellardoor offers a wide selection of both red and white varietals; try them during wine tastings available every day of the summer.

PENNSYLVANIA: Continue on to Franklin Hill Vineyards in Bangor, which planted its first grapes in 1976. With 23 wines to try, including a cabernet sauvignon, a chardonnay, and many fruit wines, there's something for everyone.

OHIO: In 1968, Markko Vineyards in Conneaut was one of the first to plant European vinifera grapes near Lake Erie. Known for its chardonnay and riesling, Markko also offers cabernet sauvignon reserves and tastings six days a week.

IOWA: Our route leads next to Marquette for Eagles Landing Winery, a small family-run winery that won Best Iowa wine at the 2009 Mid-American Wine Competition. Free wine tastings are offered every day.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Taste reds, whites, and fruit wines at South Dakota's first winery, Valiant Vineyards Winery in Vermillion. Then head further west and see Mount Rushmore, South Dakota's most famous landmark.

OREGON: We have reached the West Coast and Mystic Wines, another small, family-run winery, in the hills outside Salem. Open for weekend tastings, try their pinot noir, merlot, or cabernet sauvignon, and other reds.

CALIFORNIA: End your road trip in American's greatest wine-producing region. You really can't go wrong here. You could visit a winery in Napa or Sonoma Valley, or a less famous region like Livermore Valley or Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara. As the trip comes to an end, revel in the fact that you've learned about wines from all over the country.

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