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USA10Best – While France, Spain and Italy may be known as the heavy hitters in the world’s wine industry, the United States alone is home to nearly 250 American Viticultural Areas (AVA) and, according to the Wines Vines Analytics Winery Database, has over 10,000 wineries. And many of these facilities aren’t just making wine; they’re offering tours, hosting tastings, and even partnering with chefs to run some of the nation’s top restaurants.
There’s nothing like getting a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process (while tasting along the way) to hone both your appreciation and your palate. To find the best experiences, USAToday asked a panel of wine industry experts to nominate their preferred winery tours throughout the country, then readers voted for their favorites.
Beyond the Tasting Room: 10 Best Winery Tours in the United States
No. 1: Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery – Hammondsport, New York
 Winery & Vineyard Tour, Dr. Konstantin Frank. Photo by Rima Brindamour
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, located in the Finger Lakes wine region of New York, offers an 1886 Food and Wine Experience in which guests partake in a guided viticultural or cellar tour followed by a seated wine tasting. This experience is available from May through October and is reservation only. For a less in-depth endeavor, seated wine tastings are offered year-round.
Other Notable New York Wine Experiences Receiving 10Best Awards:
- 10 Award-Winning Wine Tasting Rooms across the US
No. 3: Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery – Hammondsport, NY
About 90 minutes south of Rochester, New York, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery offers a top-notch tasting experience. Their modern tasting rooms provide knowledgeable staff, exceptional views and personalized experiences for their guests.
- 10 Must-Visit Wine Regions in the US.
No. 4: Finger Lakes – New York
New York’s picturesque Finger Lakes region is home to three distinct American Viticultural Areas: Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake. Visitors to the area will find more than 130 wineries, many specializing in riesling.
- 10 Best Wine Tour Companies in the US
No. 8: Experience! The Finger Lakes – Ithaca, NY
Experience! The Finger Lakes has been leading wine tours through the Finger Lakes region of New York for more than a decade. Guests enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at a winery, as well as curated tasting experiences not typically available to the general public.
- 10 Best New Winery Experiences in the US
No. 9: Hillick & Hobbs – Burdett, New York
Hillick & Hobbs shines the spotlight on dry rieslings crafted by award-winning winemaker Paul Hobbs. It was one of the first wineries in the Finger Lakes to mimic winegrowing in the Mosel region of Germany with vines running up and down the hilly slopes surrounding Seneca Lake. Visitors can book tastings or bottle service and take in panoramic views of the lake.
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