Photo by Robert Landau
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The Contrarian Traveler
Fine Wining
By Peter Greenberg, September & October 2009
You know about Napa. Now you can sip vino and stomp grapes at these five juicy alternatives
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Monterey County, California
The vineyards here are home to 40 different varieties of grapes. Want veggies with your vino? Try Ag Venture Tours (831-761-8463), which offers a farm tour in addition to wine tours.
Big event: The "Harvest 101" seminar at McIntyre Vineyards ($45; 831-678-4845) in September and October includes a tour and winetasting.
Leelanau Peninsula, Michigan
The cool climate is perfect for growing grapes, and the area's 20 or so wineries are less crowded than those in more hyped wine regions.
Big event: Head south to Burgdorf's Winery in Haslett to prepare your own cases of wine (517-655-2883). Choose a grape variety; then help with blending, bottling, labeling, and corking. The aging process takes just six weeks.
Texas Hill Country
The Lone Star State is better known for cattle than Cabernet, but it now has 180 wineries, and the Hill Country is its top wine region.
Big event: The town of Grapevine near Dallas has a stomping contest at its GrapeFest, September 17 to 20. Winners get the Purple Foot Award (800-457-6338).
Yakima Valley, Washington
Tour companies will take you through the valley—home to 60 wineries (509-965-5201)—and the Cherry Wood Bed Breakfast and Barn provides tours on horseback (509-829-3500).
Big event: Be a vintner at Two Mountain Winery's "Winemaker for a Day" class, October 17 ($40; 509-829-3900).
Southeastern Virginia
Want to work off your wine? SouthEast Expeditions and Chatham Vineyards (757-678-5588) will take you kayaking on the Chesapeake Bay (cost: $85).
Big event: Head west to King Family Vineyards near Charlottesville. On Sundays through October enjoy a picnic while watching polo (434-823-7800).
Find Peter Greenberg Q&As and videos on AARP.org
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