| Catch the last of the vibrant Fall Colors by using your | | | | LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: For some hands-on fun, |
| Road Trip Planner to create a Romantic Wine & Dine | | | | sign up for Wine Camp at Long Island's renowned |
| Weekend Getaway. A 3-Day Weekend of wining and | | | | wine-producing North Fork region. Wine Camp's |
| dining, of walking through vineyards or sun-dappled | | | | packages vary as do the participating vineyards but |
| trails and getting a breath of fresh Fall air will breathe | | | | you?ll enjoy activities like winemaking, tasting |
| romance into your life and relaxation into your veins. | | | | techniques, food pairings, and wine blending. The price |
| The TOP WINE PRODUCING STATES in the U.S. are: | | | | includes lodging, some lunches & dinners... and a case |
| California, Washington, New York, Oregon, Texas, | | | | of wine! |
| Virginia, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, North | | | | WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON: To see a |
| Carolina. But WINE IS PRODUCED IN EVERY STATE | | | | 6-generation family-owned establishment, enjoy a trip |
| so you can easily build a road trip within driving | | | | to Willamette Farms in Newberg. For a more |
| distance of your home or via a short flight. | | | | drama-infused history, check out what used to be |
| To get your road trip planning started, below are | | | | called Seven Springs Vineyard. The grapes from this |
| some Wine & Dine Weekend Getaways to consider, | | | | vineyard were sought after by many top wine |
| including some of the top-rated vineyards in the | | | | producers in the world. Then it was cut in half after a |
| country as well as those wineries offering visitors a | | | | legal settlement in 2001, only to be reunited six years |
| beautiful setting and a fun experience. | | | | later with an exclusive, fifteen-year lease to the |
| CENTRAL CALIFORNIA: Halfway between San | | | | Evening Land partnership. FINAL VINTAGE: The St. |
| Francisco and Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo County | | | | Innocent Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006. |
| produces excellent Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. The | | | | TEXAS: What often springs to mind when people |
| Cottage Inn by the Sea at Pismo Beach overlooks | | | | think of Texas are those BIG 10-gallon hats. And yes, |
| the Pacific Ocean. You can venture to the region?s | | | | Texas is getting BIGGER... in wine production. This |
| wineries on your own or take their Coastal Wine | | | | Lone Star State boasts more than 110 bonded |
| Tour, which includes the popular Edna Valley Vineyard. | | | | wineries and wine aficionados are noticing their award |
| TOP RESTAURANT in the area: F. McLintocks Saloon | | | | winning wines. The following three vineyards rise |
| & Dining House. | | | | above the rest because they go the extra mile for |
| NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: A verdant valley, and a | | | | their guests: Bella Vista Cellars, in Wimberly; Delaney |
| lovely place for a road trip, includes Napa, Sonoma, | | | | Vineyards in Grapevine; Flat Creek Estate, west of |
| and Healdsburg. Here you can find the Monte Rosso | | | | Austin. Any of the 3 would make an excellent anchor |
| Vineyard, one of California's oldest vineyards. Known | | | | in your road trip planning, whether you create 3 |
| for its firm Cabernet Sauvignons as well as intense, | | | | individual weekend getaways or a wine-themed |
| old-vine Zinfandels. TOP WINES from this area: 2002 | | | | week's vacation. FUN FACT: A ten-gallon hat actually |
| Ravenswood Monte Rosso Zinfandel; 2003 Rochioli | | | | only holds ¾ gallon. Its name was derived from |
| Estate Grown Pinot Noir from the The Rochioli | | | | the Spanish galón word meaning braid. |
| vineyard in Healdsburg. | | | | OAK GROVE, VIRGINIA: One place I'd recommend |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Add Santa Barbara to your | | | | adding to your road trip planner is Ingleside Winery, |
| road trip planner because it offers you the Pacific | | | | one of the oldest and largest wineries in Virginia. This |
| Ocean on one front, the Santa Ynez Mountains at | | | | winery was built in 1834 and the vineyards cover |
| your back, and in between, prime wine country. The | | | | about 70 acres. Their wines have consistently earned |
| Hotel Mar Monte, a historic hotel built in the tradition | | | | top honors in state, national, and international wine |
| of Spanish Colonial architecture, offers a package | | | | competitions. BONUS LODGING: Ingleside Vineyards |
| tour to 3 wineries or you can explore on your own. | | | | has two 2-bedroom rental cottages set within the |
| Or choose staying at the Estero Beach Hotel Resort | | | | vineyards and also a stunning four-bedroom Leeds |
| in San Ysidro, nearly at the Mexican border. Nearly | | | | Cove retreat, which overlooks the Rappahannock |
| two dozen wineries can be found in the Mexico | | | | River. |
| Guadalupe Valley. BONUS ACTIVITY: Try a bike tour | | | | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: You can secure a great |
| to a winery or a horseback-riding adventure to the | | | | wine package when you add the Hotel Vintage Park |
| Adobe Guadalupe Vineyard. | | | | to your road trip planner. Enjoy wine tasting at Pike |
| TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN: In the nation's | | | | Place Market's tasting room, and an evening wine |
| fourth-largest grape-growing state, the Chateau | | | | hour in the hotel's lobby. Or check out Seven Hills |
| Grand Traverse winery overlooks the Grand | | | | Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley. Seven Hills Vineyard is |
| Traverse Bay. You can sample their award-winning | | | | now one of Washington's best known vineyards. |
| varietals, including their Rieslings. BONUS | | | | Getting away for an extended weekend, indulging in |
| DESTINATION: Nearby, you?ll find the Old Mission | | | | respected wines and eclectic dishes, enjoying the |
| Peninsula, which leads you into 7 wineries like the | | | | view from your hotel window...yes, these are the |
| Chateau Chantal, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys | | | | things that await the Road Trip Planner who heads |
| Estate Vineyard & Winery and Peninsula Cellars. | | | | for wine country. |