Fall Winery Road Trips: Sip, Sparkle & Chase the Leaves 🍂🍷

Autumn + wine country = made for each other. Crisp air, golden vines, harvest energy and cozy tasting rooms make fall the perfect season for a winery road trip—whether you’re craving a short day escape or a long weekend with friends. Below are three high-impact routes (Georgia, California, New York), quick itineraries, VWA product pairings, and social playbook items so you can turn a scenic drive into a shoppable, shareable brand moment.

Why Fall?

Fall is harvest season in many major wine regions—grapes are coming in, wineries host crush events, and vines put on their show. That energy makes tastings extra special and gives you serious photo ops. In Napa Valley, for example, harvest runs August–October and fall is one of the best (and busiest) times to visit. visitnapavalley.com

Quick Picks: Regions & Mini-Itineraries

Georgia — North Georgia / Dahlonega (day trip or long weekend)
Dahlonega is the heart of Georgia wine country with the highest concentration of wineries in the state—perfect for a self-guided tasting loop, scenic drives, and leaf-peeping stops. Build a day: breakfast + scenic drive → 2–3 tastings (outdoor patios) → picnic with a VWA chiller + stoppers → sunset tasting or a casual dinner in town. dahlonega.org

California — Napa, Sonoma & Paso Robles (flagship wine country weekend)
Napa’s harvest season brings events, crush dinners, and vineyard color—plan ahead and book top tastings early. Sonoma stays gorgeous in October for leaf colors and cozy alfresco tastings. If you want fewer crowds but spectacular fall vibes, Paso Robles celebrates harvest with hands-on events and is a terrific alternative. (Pro tip: mix a Napa morning tasting with a relaxed Paso Robles drive for variety.) visitnapavalley.com+2Sonoma Magazine+2

New York — Finger Lakes & Hudson Valley (leaf-peeping + cellar doors)
The Finger Lakes region has 100s of wineries across Seneca, Cayuga and Keuka lake trails—rolling hills + lakeside views make fall especially dramatic. Many wineries keep outdoor seating through September/October for peak foliage. Hudson Valley adds shorter drives, historic towns and farm-to-table food pairings—perfect for a cozy two-day trip. Travel by Brit+1

Tasting Etiquette & Practical Notes

• Book high-demand tastings in advance (many fall events fill quickly). visitnapavalley.com

• Bring a designated driver or book a wine shuttle / private tasting tour.

• Pack a small cooler + VWA chillers for picnic bottles; leave winery-bought bottles sealed until you can properly store them.

• Check each winery’s website for group sizes, reservation rules, and pet policies.