What catapults a wine into being among the best of US wines? How do you find the top wines? That, of course, depends on many different factors combined with issues of personal taste and preference. As the New York Times wine critic Eric Asimov recently wrote, “Wine is not just a product in a bottle on a store shelf. It’s the culmination of a long process with many elements that all must coalesce to create a delightful, surprising beverage.” And as our own expert Mark Oldman stated, “The ultimate measure of wine relates to the feeling it arouses in you. The difference between a merely good wine and a spellbinding one is similar to what makes a music composition uncommonly special.”

We must, therefore, consider different categories of American wine to find the best among the best. You will surely find one or two categories of interest whether it’s for regular enjoyment, a special themed event, special meal, or as a gift.

Best US Red Wine for $20 or Less

Our list of the best cheap red wines will give you an idea of the incredible variety of excellent wines available without breaking the bank. But, today, we have to define in greater detail what make the best US wine for not so much money, about $20 a bottle.

Now, if you immediately think a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon must be the best wine in the US, the $20 criterion pretty much eliminates that as an option. Instead, look to other California regions that also feature excellent growing conditions but where the cost of production is lower. Here is one suggestion for the most popular varietal, Cab:

Paso Robles

Paso Robles is a large region renowned for its wide range of microclimates, soils, and vineyard topography. Situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, this American Viticultural Area is bordered by the Santa Lucia Mountains to the west and the San Joaquin Valley to the east. The Mediterranean climate means generally warm days and cool nights alongside hot, dry summers and mild winters.

A significant Pacific influence brings cooling breezes and fog to the region’s western parts. Think of high quality wines like the Grant Burge Ink Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles or the Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon. Plan for an American wine with structure, balance, and conservative power with aromas of boysenberry pie, chocolate, and black olive.

Best Regions in the US for Producing Wine

If you want to find the best US wine, then you must identify the best region for producing wine, whether that be Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir.

Napa and Sonoma

Here, again, Napa Valley or maybe its neighbor, Sonoma County, will spring to mind for many. That’s deserved. It’s not a big place —30 miles long and a few miles wide—but Napa Valley boasts diverse microclimates and soils especially suited to wine grapes like, yes, Cabernet Sauvignon but also Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Cabernet Franc.

Napa also boasts a number of sub-regions, like Rutherford with its famous dust. This is important because of terroir, or, as Asimov puts it, the best wines should taste “like the place in which it was grown.” A good example of the produce of the best wine region of Rutherford is the Scarecrow Cabernet Sauvignon; just don’t expect for it to cost $20.

Finger Lakes

Let’s say, however, that you’re a fan of white wines like Riesling or Gewurztraminer (maybe you hail from Alsatian stock); in that case, don’t think Napa for the best wine region, think New York’s Finger Lakes. Again, the region’s climate and geographic features make the difference, with those lakes plunging hundreds of feet in depth, acting like a heat sink in winter.

Check out the Living Roots Shale Creek Bone-Dry Riesling from Keuka Lake. Don’t expect a sweet Riesling (it has above 13% alcohol), but rather an aromatic bomb of tangerine, lemon zest, and honeycomb with a mineral finish. As Mark Oldman said, “the magic of wine often comes in noticing the overall sensation that wine renders in your mouth.”

So, in the end, the best US wine regions deserve exploration to see what you like. A great way to accomplish this is through a virtual wine class that will expose you, through tastings, to the amazing diversity of wine styles produced in the USA.

Best Wine Country in the US

When we think “wine country,” we think wine lifestyle. Wine country pretty much defines a relaxed, pleasurable way of being. So, where do you find the best wine country in the United States?

That requires a bit of definition. First, beautiful, enriching wine country and crowded, touristy destinations don’t mesh. Second, you want to be able to interact, on a genuine level, with the winemakers, the vineyards, and the wineries. Given those two criteria, for once, Napa Valley is thus off the list. For wine country, it has become a victim of its success.

Third, wine country must be beautiful, feature some topography, and of course, gorgeous vineyard settings and architecturally inspired wineries. Bevinars’ expert, Mark Oldman in his interview with the New York Times had some suggestions.

Shenandoah Valley and Paso Robles

He pointed to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, which produces great Chardonnays and rosés. One can soak up historical culture regarding Founding Father and oenophile Thomas Jefferson. The rolling “countryside has these grand Jefferson-era homes,” he added, which contribute to the scenic splendor. Another has been mentioned above: Paso Robles.

Mark says, “the red blends are terrific, and you can go to wineries and spend hours interacting with the owners if you want to.” Indeed, he states, “the region is what Napa was before it was discovered.” Indeed.

Santa Barbara and Eola-Amity Hills

Two other examples of the best wine country come to mind: parts of Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Santa Barbara County, with its transverse mountains meeting the Pacific Ocean. In Oregon wine country, check out Eola-Amity Hills. Award-winning Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines are found just an hour southwest of Portland. You will see a breathtaking fusion of geology, soil, and climate alongside friendly, laid-back vintners.

In Santa Barbara find six distinct appellations, urban wine trails, and bucolic vineyard estates. The views are stunning and the tourism subdued. The wine tasting options are almost endless.

The Best Wine Comes in Many Forms

In all, the United States boasts a diverse and exceptional wine landscape, offering something unique for every wine enthusiast looking for the best. Whether you’re exploring the microclimates of Paso Robles, the storied terroirs of Napa Valley and Sonoma County, or the cool-climate wonders of New York’s Finger Lakes, each region presents distinctive charm and world-class wines. As Mark Oldman wisely notes, the true magic of the best wine lies in the sensory journey it offers—so venture out and discover the pinnacle of what American wine has on offer.

Charlie Leary

A member of the Circle of Wine Writers, Charlie Leary has directed restaurant wine programs in the US, Canada, Costa Rica, and France. In the mid 1990s, while earning a PhD from Cornell University, he made artisanal cheeses and counted among the first North Americans inducted into the Guilde International des Fromagers; he later planned, planted, and managed an IGP vineyard in Andalusia.

His book-length guide to worldwide wine education programs (Leary’s Global Wineology) was first published in 2022, in part based on his experience earning numerous wine certifications. His feature articles have appeared in Decanter magazine, Jane Anson’s Inside Bordeaux, JancisRobinson.com, Sommelier Business, Hudin.com, and Tim Atkin MW’s website, among others. He recently consulted for the wine metaverse startup Second Winery and wrote a detailed report on the history of wine sensory analysis for the Wine Scholar Guild. Charlie now lives in Panama, where he offers wine classes, and is writing a book on the philosopher Montesquieu as an eighteenth century winegrower. IG: @bacopty