The Ten Wineries You Should Have Visited in 2006

Drinking wine is not only about the taste, it's about the experience. Although you can easily have this "experience" in a restaurant or in the comfort of your own home, visiting the wineries themselves allows visitors to enjoy the wine in the surroundings of where it has been produced, as well as interact with the people who actually made the wine. Although it may be too late for you to check out these wineries in 2006, here is a list of interesting, sometimes off the beaten path wineries throughout the United States and Canada that we've recently visited.

10. Afton Mountain Vineyards (Afton, Virginia): Located about 25 miles west of Charlottesville, Virginia, Afton Mountain Vineyards is one of 21 wineries located along the Monticello Wine Trail. Only miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail, this winery boasts both beautiful scenery and a strong array of red wines. The owners, Shinko and Tom Corpora, are very friendly and are happy to give additional information about both the area and the wines.

9. Forks of Cheat Winery (Morgantown, WV): The Deal Family runs this unique winery. On the day that we visited, it was close to closing time, but owner Jerry Deal took the time to take us on a personal tour of the facilities, complete with tastings direct from the barrels. Jerry's son Eric designs the distinctive bottle labels which you won't see anywhere else. An outdoor pavilion stands on the grounds, providing an excellent spot for gatherings.

8. Shelton Vineyards (Dobson, NC): Shelton Vineyards is located in the Yadkin Valley area of North Carolina. Visitors can take a guided tour of the facility, dine in the estate's Harvest Grill restaurant, and/or choose to taste the wines offered in the large tasting room. Although there is a tasting charge, you do get to keep a souvenir glass to help you remember your visit.

7. Beringer Vineyards (St. Helena, CA): With the Hudson House greeting visitors upon arrival, Beringer boasts of not only its great wines, but its long history (it's the oldest continuously operating winery in the Napa Valley and the first to offer guided tours). Visitors can tour the estate, complete a wine and cheese tasting seminar, or just try the wines in the beautiful tasting room.

6. Marynissen Estates (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON): Although the winery itself is not as impressive from the outside as some of the others on this list, Marynissen Estates makes up for this with their excellent red wines and friendly staff. You may even get to meet the family cat if you make the visit.

5. Gary Farrell Vineyards (Healdsburg, CA): Located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, Gary Farrell's tasting room is located on a hillside with amazing views (blocked by clouds on our visit), which complement the excellent red wines that you can find at this relatively new winery.

4. Frog's Leap Winery (Rutherford, CA): You typically need a reservation for tastings at this winery, but the great staff here offered us a glass of Cabernet and invited us to leisurely enjoy our wine while strolling through the vineyard, which produces organically grown grapes. The wines are amazing and drinking them on the stunning grounds of this winery adds to the experience.

3. Wagner Vineyards (Lodi, NY): The Finger Lakes region of New York boasts many great wineries, and the experience at Wagner Vineyards is one of the best. The grounds are host not only to the winery, but also the Wagner Valley Brewing Company, a great microbrewery. The wines and beers can be enjoyed at the adjoining restaurant overlooking Seneca Lake, which makes for an exceptional end to the visit.

2. Jackson-Triggs Winery (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON): Jackson-Triggs not only offers magnificent and unique wines, with outstanding Cabernets, Merlots, Rieslings, and ice wines, but the grounds are striking. You can enjoy an excellent wine and cheese pairing on the patio overlooking the vineyards for a relaxing afternoon snack.

1. Geyser Peak Winery (Geyserville, CA): Geyser Peak, located in the Alexander Valley area of Sonoma County, offers many wines that you can get in your local wine store for reasonable prices. The great part about visiting the winery is the Reserve Room, where you can try Reserve and Block Collection wines not offered in the store, while overlooking the barrels where the wine is aged. You'll feel like a VIP as you sit in leather-bound chairs, sipping this exceptional wine.