22 Jun 7 Best Spots for Golf and Wine Tasting
Golf and wine? This might seem like an unlikely pairing at first, but when you consider the lifestyle of the typical golf lover and compare it to that of a wine connoisseur, you realize that these two luxuries actually blend well together. In fact, pairing golf and wine has become a popular choice for many trendy destinations in Canada and the U.S., which are now offering packages that feature ample time on the green, as well as ample time sampling wines. Here is a list of the 7 best spots in North America for golf and wine tasting.
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
This is Canada’s second largest wine region with over 130 wineries. The region is most known for its assortment of ice wines and features approximately 60 grape varietals that are grown on iced vines. There are also a dozen golf course options, with two of the courses being Predator Ridge championship tracks.
Napa Valley, California
It’s not a stretch to say that Napa Valley has become a wine culture hub. It is ground zero for wine in America and residents have created an experience that includes scheduled wine tastings and wine train tours that stop at a few of the hundred wineries in this region. The Silverado Resort and Spa may be the star course in this region when it comes to golf, but the Napa Golf Course at Kennedy Park is quickly gaining notoriety.
Willamette Valley, Oregon
This wine and golf region is located south of Portland and is home to some of the finest wineries in the state. There are both public and private golf courses to the north of the region, including the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. When looking for wineries to visit, think Archery Summit or Domaine Serene.
Finger Lakes Region, New York
Riesling and Gewurztraminer populate the 50 wineries that are located five hours outside of the city limits. Different wine and food festivities occur throughout the year, with Fox Run Vineyards and Standing Stone Vineyards being standouts. Four golf courses are also included along the Finger Lakes, the most notable of which is Greystone Golf Club.
Walla Walla, Washington
Over 100 wineries grace the region referred to as the “New Napa.” But Walla Walla has been able to carve its own niche with Grenache and Syrah as the lead varietals of the region. The Wine Valley Golf Club has also built its own reputation as one of the state’s top golf courses.
Texas Hill Country
Wine and golf may not be the first activities that come to mind when you think of Texas, but that’s exactly what you get at Texas Hill Country. Running from Austin to Fredericksburg, 42 wineries fit on this trail with Becker Vineyards and Duchman Winery leading the way as standouts. Fazio Canyons Golf Course is ranked a top-100 course to play in the country, while Omni Barton Creek Resort has three more championship 18-holers in addition to Fazio Canyons.
Central Virginia
Pinot Grigio and Petit Verdot make up the bulk of what this wine region has become known for. It has a long history dating back to Thomas Jefferson experimenting with wine tasting himself. Wine production has matured significantly since then, and the region now hosts some of the most picturesque vineyards you’ll see. The fairgrounds aren’t bad, either. The Full Cry at Keswick Hall Golf Course now covers the bones of Fred Finlay’s 1948 course. And more courses are said to be in construction.
Wine has such an expansive culture. Our goal at Papro Wine Cellars and Consulting is to bring that culture into the homes of wine collectors. If you’re a new luxury homeowner, or simply looking to add a wine cellar to your current home, give us a call at 1.866.651.9229 or email [email protected]