This post by “TheHipmunk” originally appeared on the Tailwind Blog by Hipmunk on September 29, 2015.
Just last week we filled you in on the best up-and-coming wine destinations in the U.S. and abroad. This week, we’ve added a few of our favorite well known wine destinations to the mix, so you can decide which destinations fit your budget and travel style.
| Wine Destinations by Cost of Weekend Trip for Two | |||
| City/Region | Avg Nightly Hotel Price | Avg Flight Price from Top 30 US Airports | Total for 2-Night Stay for 2 People |
| Columbia Valley, WA/OR | $82 | $338 | $840 |
| Long Island, NY | $91 | $361 | $904 |
| Monticello, VA | $160 | $354 | $1,028 |
| Sonoita, AZ | $144 | $433 | $1,154 |
| Sonoma, CA | $297 | $345 | $1,284 |
| Napa, CA | $375 | $345 | $1,440 |
| Ontario, Canada | $205 | $551 | $1,512 |
| Paso Robles, CA | $214 | $609 | $1,646 |
| Malibu, CA | $496 | $349 | $1,690 |
| Loire Valley, France | $118 | $1,195 | $2,626 |
| Primorska, Slovenia | $155 | $1,210 | $2,730 |
| Catalonia, Spain | $178 | $1,208 | $2,772 |
| Mendoza, Argentina | $99 | $1,312 | $2,822 |
| Mosel Valley, Germany | $128 | $1,555 | $3,366 |
| Tuscany, Italy | $169 | $1,548 | $3,434 |
| Barossa Valley, Australia | $170 | $1,744 | $3,828 |
| Marlborough, New Zealand | $151 | $2,012 | $4,326 |
Deal Destinations:
If you guessed that domestic destinations would be the best deal, you’re correct. If traveling from within the U.S. to Columbia Valley or Long Island’s wine country, you can enjoy a weekend getaway for two for less that $1,000 (excluding food and wine of course).
Splurge Destination:
American fans of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc might be disappointed: New Zealand’s Marlborough region is the most expensive to travel to from the States. A weekend wine tasting adventure for two costs more than $4,000. Those who stay in the U.S. during crush season will notice that flights to Malibu, Sonoma, and Napa are reasonable, but the hotel prices are much more expensive than other domestic wine destinations.
International Wine Lovers:
Got your heart set on a wine-infused rendezvous complete with exotic accents and cuisine? Then your best bet is to give Loire Valley, France, a try. The total price tag comes in at about $2,500. Alternatively, you could save by visiting Ontario, Canada, instead for about $1,500, but something tells us that our neighbor to the north isn’t going to give you the international experience you’re hoping for.
Got a favorite wine destination you want us to price out for you? Leave us a note in the comments section and we’ll look into it.
