So you’ve checked Sonoma off your list and explored Napa’s Silverado Trail. Don’t worry that you’ve exhausted your wine-country options from Atlantic to Pacific; you’re simply primed for an under-the-radar getaway catering to vino aficionados.
These three vineyard-dotted destinations deliver delicious varietals surrounded by stunning vistas and gourmet meals. Spanning the country from California to Virginia, they may even be right under your backyard. Here are our top picks that you can reach by private jet charter:
Paso Robles, California
What to do: Located on the Golden State’s Central Coast about 30 miles north of San Luis Obispo, this SLO County gem boasts more than 200 wineries throughout the area, many of which are growing Paso’s famed zinfandel grape. A trip down Adelaida Road and Vineyard Drive will bring you to many of the must-see tasting rooms.
Where to stay: Hotel Cheval’s 16 guest rooms put you within walking distance of downtown’s attractions and within a stone’s throw of area wineries, with a luxury SUV standing by for sommelier-curated tasting excursions. As the luxury hotel’s name suggests, it takes its design cues from France and follows a subtle equestrian theme. The Pony Club, its Parisian-inspired wine bar, serves local wines at a horseshoe-shaped bar on a heated outdoor patio.
Middleburg, Virginia
What to do: Tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern Virginia, Middleburg is famous for both horses and wine. But if it’s the latter you’re after, begin at The Boxwood Winery. The state-of-the-art red-wine producer helped establish the Middleburg AVA in 2012 and offers tastings in a modern fieldstone complex.
Another of the area’s 30-plus must-see wineries is Greenhill Winery & Vineyards, an expansive estate where you can enjoy wine and charcuterie on the tasting room terrace. Downtown, unique boutiques and restaurants beckon. Duck into Market Salamander or Home Farm Store for an on-the-go sandwich made with local ingredients.
Where to stay: A boutique, epicurean experience awaits at Goodstone Inn, which offers 18 rooms and a Virginia farm-to-table eatery on its 265-acre estate. The resort’s Gold Cup Wine Bar hosts a different area winemaker each month for weekly tastings and pairing dinners.
Palisade, Colorado
What to do: Palisade may not look like your typical wine region, with red-rock mesas surrounding it, but Colorado’s fruit capital is suitable for wine grapes as well as orchards. Palisade’s winemakers produce a fair amount of fruit vino, but also rich cabernet francs and robust chardonnays, with some of the best found at Canyon Wind Cellars’ and Grande River Vineyards’ tasting rooms.
Where to stay: Western Colorado’s Gateway Canyons Resort offers a year’s worth of activities on its crimson grounds, the most unique of which may be the Gateway Canyons Auto Museum, home to more than 50 American classics. But the resort also provides easy access to the Western Slope’s wine country, and hotel staff will arrange your guided or individual Palisade outing. Visit in September to attend Palisade’s Colorado Mountain Winefest, the region’s biggest wine celebration.
And if you want to explore these wine-rich areas in style, contact Access Jet Group today for the best in private air charter.
Northeast Georgia Wine Trail
What to do: Just 90 minutes northeast of Atlanta, Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains provide a stunning array of wineries that have lovingly created the Northeast Georgia Wine Trail. With more than 30 wineries within a 45-minute radius, travelers can travel the famed Wine Highway and sample Georgia-produced wines, tour vineyards, and soak in the scenic beauty of the mountains.
Where to stay: The towns of Helen and Dahlonega are the most popular for overnight stays. Historic inns like Hall House Hotel and The Smith House offer all the comforts of home with a side of southern hospitality and heritage.
Let Access Jet Group help you plan your next wine weekend via private jet charter – contact us today for pricing and reservations.
