Vermont may have gotten a relatively late start in the commercial wine industry with the first winery, North River Winery, opening in 1985, but the state has rapidly become a leader in developing cold-hardy wine grapes. The majority of grapes grown in Vermont are French-American hybrids such as Baco Noir, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, and Cayuga, but cool climate vinifera varieties, such as Riesling, are also starting to show promise. Scroll down to find Vermont’s best wineries. The “Highest Visitor Ratings” section lists Vermont wineries that have received visitors’ highest ratings for service, views, and wine quality. The “Highest Wine Critic Ratings” section lists the producers of Vermont’s best wines based on awards won at international wine competitions and ratings from publications such as Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, and The Wine Advocate. The “All Vermont Wineries” section contains a comprehensive and continuously updated list of Vermont wineries. Click “map view” to access the advanced winery search to find wineries that provide vineyard lodging, have food available to complement their wines, host vineyard weddings, or produce wines from organic grapes. We make it easy to find the best Vermont wine tour and tasting destinations.