Sip Into Summer in Our Favorite Wine Tasting Destinations

June 21, 2022

From the lush coastal landscapes of the California coastline to the rugged peaks of the Rocky Mountains Continental Divide – verdant vineyards, award-winning wineries, vibrant tasting rooms, and complimentary wine tastings and experiences await!

Whether you’re simply seeking a reason to put your feet up and relax in rolling vineyards or are a true wine connoisseur and collector exploring new and desirable wine regions in the US, summer is the perfect season to sip and swirl your way around our favorite destinations for wine tasting.

Santa-barbara

Santa Barbara, California

The state of California produces approximately 85% of the wine made in the US today and is the fourth-largest producer of wine in the world! While we all love the famous Napa Valley wine region for a wine tasting experience, some of California’s best wines are produced in the rolling hills between the Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Maria Valley, named “One of the Top 10 New Cities for Wine Snobs” by Travel Channel.

Santa Barbara is a hot spot for wine lovers and there’s no need for a designated driver! The Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail covers 5 local neighborhoods: The Presidio and downtown Santa Barbara, the Haley Street Corridor in midtown, the beach town of Summerland, and the Funk Zone, one block from Santa Barbara’s world-class beaches. Start your days exploring and adventuring on the California coastline followed by unique wine tasting experiences just steps from PCH.

Riverbench

Riverbench Vineyard and Winery is one of our favorite Santa Barbara wineries with an urban-style tasting room and vibey outdoor patio in the heart of the Funk Zone, as well as gorgeous vineyards on the banks of the Sisquoc River on the Santa Maria Bench. Sip with the hip and happening in the Funk Zone or take a scenic through the California countryside for wine tastings at the Riverbench Vineyards.

Established in 1973, the boutique winery is known for its sustainable practices and a small portfolio of award-winning 100% estate-grown wines.

Wine tasting experiences range from indoor tastings around the fire in a charming and beautifully restored 1920s home to family-friendly wine tastings under the shade of the sycamore trees surrounded by tranquil vineyard views. A unique experience for every wine lover.

A quick diversion (but right next door to Riverbench in the Funk Zone)! It may not be wine but if you’re exploring the Santa Barbara Funk Zone be sure to stop by Cutler’s Artisan Spirits. Cutler’s Artisan Spirits are Santa Barbara’s first legal distillery with award-winning American-style whiskeys, gins, vodkas, delicious apple pie liqueur … and a fascinating history from bootleggers in the prohibition to modern craft distillers.

Wine (and spirit) lovers will find the perfect vacation package with Paradise Retreats, our Xplorie partner in the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley wine region. Whether you choose to stay oceanfront in Montecito, downtown in the Funk Zone, or in a luxury vineyard retreat in the heart of wine country, your vacation package includes the best places to stay, play and sip wine (for free!) in Santa Barbara.

Cutlers

Delaware Beaches, Delaware

The Delaware Beaches are not the first destination that spring to mind when dreaming of a wine vacation, but we’re here to set the record straight! The Delaware Beaches lie along Southern Delaware’s Culinary Coast, a stretch of coastline from Lewes to Fenwick Island with over a dozen craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, tasting rooms, and outdoor patios for summer sipping.

Our favorite stop along the Delaware Wine & Ale Trail is Salted Vines Vineyard, a 26-acre winery near the charming resort town of Bethany Beach. In 2016, Adrian Mobilia, a fourth-generation grape grower from Lake Erie planted the first 1600 vines of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot and opened the doors to the rustic tasting room and on-site production facility for wine tasting tours and experiences.

Salted Vines Vineyard hosts amazing events! Last year they hosted “Sippin’ with Sloths”, an event to launch their new wine Lower Slower Delaware and sip with the sloths from Barn Hill Preserve. In the summer, the Summer Concert Series is the place to be – amazing food trucks, wine tastings of red, white or blush, summer cocktails, and Salted Vines famous chilled sangria slushies. Great news, Salted Vines is family-friendly so bring the kids along too!

The Delaware Beaches area is one of our “Favorite Destinations for Summer Fun” with adventures and experiences for the whole family.

Colorado

Winter Park, Colorado

If crisp mountain air, Rocky Mountain views, and chilled chardonnay is more your style, Winter Park, Colorado ticks all the boxes! Colorado is known for its crazy good craft brew scene, but the high elevation valleys and plateaus, long sunny days, cool nights, and low humidity create ideal conditions for growing wine grapes. The high-altitude wineries in Colorado wine country are among some of the highest vineyards in the world.

Winter Park is another of Xplorie’s “Favorite Destinations for Summer Fun”. The charming mountain town comes alive with live music under the stars, outdoor movie nights, mountain-top happy hour, and endless outdoor adventures in Colorado’s favorite playground. When you’re not out rafting the rapids, fly-fishing the Colorado River, or exploring miles of alpine trails – we suggest you soak up the social scene and small-town charm of Winter Park at a local winery.

Winter Park has a handful of craft breweries and distilleries, as well as two local wineries easily accessible by foot, a bike ride on the Fraser River Trail, or on The Lift, a free town shuttle between Winter Park and Fraser. Perfect for bar-hopping the Winter Park watering holes!

Head to downtown Winter Park for an elevated wine experience at Adventures Decanted, with a choice of 80-sommelier-selected wines from around the world, by the glass. Innovative wine dispensers keep the wine at the perfect temperature, there’s a full craft cocktail bar, and the small plates, charcuterie boards, and rustic pizzas are more’ish!

With great events like Filet & Fondue Fridays, Sip & Super Bowl Sunday, unique wine-centered experiences, and a boho-chic vibe with outdoor firepits and mountain views, you’ll be stopping by more than once.

Winter-Park-Winery

The next stop on your wine tour of Winter Park is the Winter Park Winery, a small and intimate winery on US40 in Fraser, CO. The colorful tasting room seats only 20 people with a barrel-clad bar, stainless wine tanks lining the room, and local artwork for sale. Winter Park Winery imports over 20 tons of world-class grapes from the California wine regions, producing 1000+ cases of reds, whites, and blends on-site each year. Visiting Winter Park this summer? Be sure to get your tickets in advance for Winter Park Uncorked, a fantastic wine event and chance to toast Colorado’s top wineries.

There’s no need to break the bank when you vacation with Xplorie! Browse our selection of affordable and luxury Winter Park vacation rentals and start planning your complimentary Winter Park wine tasting experiences for each and every day of your vacation.

The best summer wines for sipping are complimentary and just a click away!

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