3 Non-Traditional Destinations for Wine

There’s something about wine that exudes an air of luxury. Perhaps it’s because wine requires a certain level of expertise to appreciate fully, or maybe it’s in the vocabulary we use to describe the actions we take with it. We sip, we savor, and we indulge in wine. 

Whatever the case may be, wine tourism is a booming industry that is flourishing everywhere that grapes will grow. Most oenophiles are aware of the classic wine regions such as Bordeaux, Tuscany, and Northern California, but today, let’s get into three lesser-known wine tourism destinations.

1. Moldova

Winemaking is a longstanding tradition in this tiny Eastern European nation. It has three main wine regions: Stefan Voda in the southeast, Valul lui Traian in the southwest, and Codru in the center. All of these are within a one- or two-hour drive from the capital of Chisinau, which is just a two-hour flight from several major European cities (Rome, Vienna, Berlin). Moldova is also home to Mileștii Mici, the world’s largest wine cellar. It’s over 120 miles long!

2. Crete, Greece​

Santorini gets a lot of love for its colors and beaches, but Crete is where you go for wine. It, too, has beaches and that unmistakable Greek architectural style, but Crete also has a rich history of winemaking. The wines made on the island of Crete are quite special, as many of the local grapes are not found anywhere else in the world.

3. Finger Lakes, New York

To the folks on the US East Coast, you don’t have to cross an ocean or the country to access fantastic wine; the Finger Lakes in New York frequently top charts for Riesling varieties. There are more than 100 wineries taking up residence around the eleven Finger Lakes, and the region is also known for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Vidal Blanc.

There are plenty of other emerging wine locales, such as Stellenbosch, South Africa; Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary; and Maule Valley, Chile. Ready to start planning your next wine-tasting expedition? Feel free to reach out to Life's Journey Travel.