The New Top 10 Cities for Wine Snobs
From small towns in Idaho and Washington state to the tried-and-true regions of Napa Valley who are shaking things up, you’ll never guess where (or how) you’ll be drinking your next glass of vino.
Woodinville, Washington
Asheville, North Carolina
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Paso Robles, Calif.
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Calif.
Traverse City, Michigan
Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg, Texas
Snake River Valley, Idaho
Snake River Valley creates a micro climate that has shown its suitability for grape growing, despite its higher elevation and arid landscape. New-wave vintners are planting Riesling, Malbec, Syrah, Viognier, and more—in the last decade, the number of in-state wineries has jumped from 11 to 50. Since 2009, Fujishin Family Cellars has focused solely on wines made from the Snake River Valley in their unique high-desert climate—the combination of warm days and cool nights creates a balance of acidity, fruit, and regional character. The tasting room for Cinder Wines, named for the volcanic cinder of the area, is located inside their urban winery, just five minutes from downtown Boise in Garden City.