Tour Wine Country: Beautiful Wineries Across the Nation

The Biltmore Estate is the ultimate getaway — with 8,000 acres, guests can spend hours, or even days, wandering the gardens, exploring the 250-room French chateau and relaxing at the inn. But no tour of George Vanderbilt's grand estate is complete without a trip to the historic Antler Hill Village and Winery. There, you can enjoy a complimentary tasting of more than 45 wines, visit the cellars and dine at the Bistro. And it gets even better: America's largest home offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a top vacation spot all year round.

Wine to try: Biltmore Century White — A semisweet blend including Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Muscat Canelli, featuring fragrant aromas of roses and fresh mint.

South Coast Winery & Resort in Southern California is a complete luxury wine experience. Reserve one of the resort's private villas for a night or a weekend and prepare to roam South Coast's rolling vineyards, relax in the spa, then sit down for a meal at the Vineyard Rose Restaurant. The menu is expertly matched to pair with South Coast's selection of wine. The rich Temecula Valley soil promises you'll be able to find the right wine for you.

Wine to try: 2004 Wild Horse Peak Cab, Thunderbolt Block — A unique light-berry cassis with herbal notes and smooth, round tannins.

The cool climate and rich volcanic soil make Oregon a haven for cool-climate varietals, especially Willamette Valley Vineyards' award-winning Pinot Noir. Set up right in the heart of Willamette Valley, the winery offers daily tours where you can get a glimpse of its sustainable farming practices, then sit down for a glass of Willamette's Estate Pinot Noir. If that's still not enough to convince you, Food Network star Rachael Ray featured the winery when she visited the area on $40 Dollars a Day.

Wine to try: 2009 Estate Pinot Noir — A rich, complex red with aromas of baked apples, cherry, pie spices and brown sugar.

Jim Ewers wrestled with the idea back in the mid-1990s. After years of thoughtful consideration and planning, Sky Vineyards opened its doors in 2005 and never looked back. Winemaker Karen Hand provides the vision and handiwork for high-quality Illinois wines. Blue Sky boasts, "The Romance of Italy in the Hills of Southern Illinois," and it's no wonder — the Tuscan Sun Pavilion and Gazebo provides scenic views of rolling hills and the winery's own tranquil waterfall.

Wine to try: Norton — A bold full-bodied red made from American Norton grapes with aromas of cedar and berry flavors.