Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about American wineries and wine regions

Using American Winery Guide

How do I find wineries near me?

Use our "Wineries Near Me" tool to discover wineries in your area. You can search by city, zip code, or let us use your location to find nearby wineries. You can also browse by wine regions and states to explore specific areas.

How do I search for specific wineries or regions?

Use the search bar at the top of any page to find specific wineries, regions, or wine varietals. You can search by name, location, or wine type. Our search results will show wineries, regions, and articles that match your query.

What do the ratings and scores mean?

Wineries may have quality scores and popularity scores. Our quality scores are based on multiple factors including reviews, awards, and industry recognition. Popularity scores reflect visitor interest and engagement. User reviews are displayed with star ratings (1-5 stars) and detailed written feedback.

How do I read and write winery reviews?

You can read winery reviews on individual winery pages or browse all reviews on our winery reviews page. To write a review, you'll need to create an account and then visit the winery's page to leave your review.

American Wine Regions & Planning

What are the best American wine regions to visit?

Popular American wine regions include Napa Valley and Sonoma in California, Oregon's Willamette Valley, Washington's Walla Walla, New York's Finger Lakes, Texas Hill Country, Virginia wine country, and Colorado's Grand Valley. Each region offers unique varietals and tasting experiences.

How many wineries are there in the United States?

There are thousands of wineries across all 50 U.S. states. American Winery Guide features comprehensive listings of wineries organized by state, region, and AVA (American Viticultural Area) to help you discover both well-known and emerging wine destinations.

Which states produce the best wine in America?

California leads in wine production, followed by Washington, Oregon, and New York. However, all 50 states produce wine, with notable regions in Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and others. Each state offers unique varietals suited to their climate and soil conditions.

Are there good wineries outside of California?

Absolutely! Washington State produces excellent wines especially in Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley. Oregon's Willamette Valley is world-renowned for Pinot Noir. New York's Finger Lakes region excels in cool-climate varietals. Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, and Michigan all have thriving wine industries with unique styles and award-winning wineries.

How do I plan a wine tasting trip in the United States?

Use American Winery Guide to research regions, read winery reviews, and plan your route. Start by choosing a region, check winery hours and amenities, read visitor reviews, and consider making reservations. Our interactive maps help you plan efficient tasting routes. Many wineries offer different tasting experiences, from casual tastings to food pairings and vineyard tours.

What's the difference between California wine regions?

California has distinct wine regions: Napa Valley is known for premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County offers diverse varietals including Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Paso Robles specializes in Rhône varietals, Santa Barbara County excels in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and Central Valley produces large volumes for everyday wines. Each region has unique microclimates and soil types.

What wine regions should I visit as a beginner?

For beginners, start with regions known for excellent visitor experiences: Napa Valley and Sonoma offer world-class facilities, Oregon's Willamette Valley provides intimate, educational experiences, and New York's Finger Lakes offers beautiful scenery with approachable wines. These regions have excellent infrastructure for wine tourism.

Wine Varietals & AVAs

What is an AVA (American Viticultural Area)?

An AVA is a federally designated grape-growing region with specific geographic and climatic characteristics that affect wine production. AVAs help identify where grapes for a wine were grown and are important for understanding the terroir and style of American wines. There are over 260 AVAs across the United States.

What American wine varietals should I try?

Popular American varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay from California, Pinot Noir from Oregon, Riesling from New York's Finger Lakes, and unique American varieties like Norton from Missouri and Vidal Blanc from the East Coast. Visit our wine varietals page to learn about different grape varieties grown in American wineries.

What's the difference between a state, region, and AVA?

States are the broadest geographic divisions. Wine regions are specific areas within states known for winemaking. AVAs (American Viticultural Areas) are federally designated grape-growing regions with specific geographic and climatic characteristics that affect wine production.

What makes American wines unique compared to European wines?

American wines often showcase bolder, fruit-forward styles compared to traditional European wines. The diverse climate zones across the U.S. allow for experimentation with international varietals while developing distinctly American expressions. Many American winemakers blend Old World techniques with New World innovation.

Winery Information & Accuracy

How current is the winery information?

We regularly update winery information including hours, contact details, and amenities. However, we recommend calling ahead or checking the winery's website before visiting, as hours and availability can change, especially during harvest season or for special events.

What should I do if I find incorrect information?

If you notice outdated or incorrect information about a winery, please contact us with the details. We appreciate corrections from visitors and winery representatives to keep our information accurate.

How do wineries get listed on American Winery Guide?

We work to include all legitimate wineries across the United States. Wineries can also contact us to ensure their information is complete and up-to-date. We offer subscription services for wineries that want enhanced listings with additional features and benefits.

What are the different types of winery subscriptions?

We offer tiered subscription services for wineries that provide various benefits like enhanced listings, priority placement, gallery features, and promotional opportunities. Wineries interested in these services should contact us for more information.

User Accounts & Reviews

Do I need an account to browse wineries?

No, you can browse wineries, regions, and read reviews without creating an account. However, you'll need an account to write reviews, save favorite wineries, or access certain personalized features.

How do I create an account?

Click "Sign Up" in the top navigation or use our registration wizard to create your account. You'll need to provide an email address and create a password. We may ask you to verify your email address.

What are the guidelines for writing reviews?

Reviews should be honest, helpful, and based on actual visits to the winery. Please focus on your experience with the wines, service, atmosphere, and facilities. Avoid offensive language and personal attacks. All reviews are moderated before publication.

Can I edit or delete my reviews?

Yes, you can edit or delete your reviews from your account profile page. Visit your My Reviews section to manage your reviews.

Why was my review not published?

Reviews are moderated to ensure they meet our guidelines. Reviews may be rejected if they contain inappropriate content, appear fake, or don't seem to be based on an actual winery visit. If you have questions about a specific review, please contact us.

Technical Support

The website isn't working properly on my device. What should I do?

Our website is designed to work on all modern browsers and devices. If you're experiencing issues, try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, or using a different browser. If problems persist, please contact us with details about your device and browser.

How do I enable location services for the "Wineries Near Me" feature?

When you use the "Wineries Near Me" feature, your browser will ask for permission to access your location. Click "Allow" to enable this feature. If you previously denied access, you can usually re-enable it in your browser's settings under privacy or location permissions.

Can I use American Winery Guide on my mobile phone?

Yes! Our website is fully responsive and works great on mobile phones and tablets. All features including maps, search, and reviews are optimized for mobile use.

Still Have Questions?

If you can't find the answer to your question here, we're here to help! Please contact us and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

For winery-related business inquiries, partnership opportunities, or to update your winery's information, please use our contact form and specify the nature of your inquiry.