11 Lesser-Known Wine Regions You Need to Discover

Burgundy, Napa Valley, Marlborough, Tuscany – these iconic wine regions are already on the radar of serious enthusiasts. But there are even more uncharted wine territories waiting to be explored.

In recent years, lesser-known vineyards have started to produce remarkable wines, reshaping the global wine map. Here are 11 underrated and stunning wine regions that are perfect for your next adventure:

1. Inle Lake Region, Myanmar

Myanmar is home to just two wine estates, both near Inle Lake, which is known for its Intha fishermen who row standing up while using their conical fishing nets. A 30-minute drive from the lake, nestled in the Shan mountains, you'll find Aythaya Wine Estate, which opened its doors in 1999.

Wine tastings are held at the Sunset Wine Garden, a restaurant where the setting sun casts a magical glow over the vineyards, creating a surreal atmosphere.

The Red Mountain Estate, Myanmar's second winery, was established in 2002. Its 400,000 vines were imported from France and Spain after research into which varieties would thrive in the region's hilly terrain.

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2. Kakheti, Georgia

Nestled at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Georgia is celebrated not for its peaches, but for its exceptional grape varieties. As one of the world’s oldest wine-producing regions, Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state) has a rich winemaking history.

Wine production evidence dating back to 6,000 BC has been uncovered by archaeologists, earning Georgia a spot on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Kakheti, Georgia's premier wine region, offers plenty to explore. A must-see is Pheasant’s Tears in the charming hilltop town of Sighnaghi, where visitors can sip wine and soak in the views. (+995 355 23 15 56)

In Georgia, grapes ferment in traditional clay jars called qvevri, rather than wooden barrels or steel tanks. This unique fermentation process gives the wines a distinctively sweet and earthy taste, unlike Western wines.

9 Must-See Sights When Visiting Georgia

3. Brda, Slovenia

Brda, a 72-square-kilometer (28-mile) wine region on the Italian border, is often called a 'mini Tuscany.' Its food and wine are deeply influenced by Italian culture, making it a delightful destination for culinary and wine lovers.

Just an hour’s drive from Ljubljana, Brda is home to small, family-owned vineyards. Most offer a mix of wine tastings, tours, meals, lodging, and wine sales. The best way to experience Brda? Enjoy a leisurely, multi-course meal on a terrace with sweeping views of the vineyards.

4. Douro Valley, Portugal

Located in northern Portugal, the Douro region is the birthplace of Port wine, with a winemaking tradition spanning over 2,000 years.

The newly opened Six Senses hotel – the brand’s first in Europe – occupies a restored 19th-century manor on a hill, offering sweeping views of the Douro Valley and river below. (Quinta Vale de Abrão, 5100-758 Samodães, Lamego; +351 254 660 600)

Guests can enjoy panoramic vistas from the pool or take a relaxing walk through the estate’s organic garden, both offering tranquil moments of connection with nature.

The Breathtaking Douro River Region in Portugal

5. Okanagan Wine Region, Canada

Located in British Columbia, a 4-hour drive from the vibrant city of Vancouver, the Okanagan Wine Region offers the perfect opportunity to explore its vineyards on a bike tour.

The Fairview Trail Network is a 6.2-mile loop starting at Tinhorn Creek Winery (537 Tinhorn Creek Rd, Oliver, BC; +1 250 498 3743), allowing cyclists to pedal through scenic vineyards and the historic Fairview Townsite, once a Gold Rush settlement.

After your bike ride, enjoy wine tastings at several local vineyards while taking in the picturesque views of the rolling hills around you.

6. Finger Lakes Region, New York

The Finger Lakes Region in New York State spans 9,000 square miles, featuring a stunning landscape of waterfalls, gorges, rolling hills, and miles of shoreline. It includes 11 glacial lakes and one Great Lake.

Visitors can explore four distinct wine trails in the Finger Lakes region: the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Keuka Lake Wine Trail, and Canandaigua Wine Trail.

The region is renowned for its white wines, especially its exceptional Rieslings, which have quickly made a name for themselves.

With over 100 wineries, the Finger Lakes is the largest wine-producing area in the U.S. east of California.

7. Franschhoek, South Africa

Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, Franschhoek is rapidly becoming South Africa’s next top wine destination.

Historically known as Olifantshoek (Elephant’s Corner) due to the massive herds of elephants once roaming the area, this valley is now a premier wine region in the Cape Winelands.

The newly opened Leeu House is an upscale boutique hotel, featuring six rooms that open into private gardens. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary tasting of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram offers a hop-on, hop-off tour that weaves through picturesque vineyards and stops at various renowned wineries.

Exploring South Africa’s Wine Tram

8. Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife, the largest island in the Canary Islands, boasts rich volcanic soil that produces exceptional red and white wines. The island is home to grape varieties that were once wiped out across mainland Europe during the Phylloxera epidemic of the mid-1800s.

The island also features several vineyards perfect for wine tasting, including Bodega Monje (Calle Cruz de Leandro, 36, El Sauzal, Santa Cruz de Tenerife; +34 922 58 50 27) in the north, and Bodega Frontos (Calle Lomo Grande, 1, Granadilla, Santa Cruz de Tenerife; +34 922 77 72 53) in the south.

The red Listan Negra grape produces a robust wine similar to hearty Spanish varieties, while the white Listan Bianco is a dry, crisp wine that pairs perfectly with the island's fresh seafood and shellfish.

9. Marche, Italy

Nestled in central Italy, Marche offers stunning landscapes along the Adriatic Sea, without the heavy tourist crowds of Tuscany or Umbria. The region produces around 18 million bottles of its famous Verdicchio wine every year, which is sold globally.

In the charming town of Offida, Pecorino is the standout grape variety. Wineries like Ciù Ciù (Contrada Ciafone, 106, 63065 Offida; +39 0736 810001) continue to thrive, preserving the region’s rich winemaking traditions.

10. Healdsburg, California

For a refreshing change from Napa Valley, explore Healdsburg in Northern California’s up-and-coming wine scene. Just an hour north of San Francisco, Healdsburg marks 40 years of the Wine Road organization, which connects 200 wineries across the Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River Valleys.

The Wine Road was founded decades ago in response to the dominance of Napa, with the aim of giving Californians more diverse options for wine tastings in the region.

Join Herald and Kirsten Jones, a husband-and-wife duo, as they lead the Wine Country Walking Tours in downtown Healdsburg, offering guests the chance to sample wines from the region.

Their tours provide a fun and unique approach to wine tasting, taking you through several local tasting rooms like Williamson Wines (134 Matheson, Healdsburg; +1 707 433 1500) and Stephen & Walker (243 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg; +1 707 431 8749).

Destination: California

11. Door County, Wisconsin

Often referred to as the 'Cape Cod of the Midwest,' Door County, Wisconsin, is a peaceful lakeside retreat. This picturesque area is home to eight wineries, all part of the Door County Wine Trail.

Established in 1974, Door Peninsula Winery (5806 WI-42, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; +1 920-743-7431) is one of the oldest wineries in Wisconsin and stands as one of the largest wine producers in the state.

The region is famed for its fruit wines, especially those made from locally grown tart cherries. Orchard Country Winery crafts a variety of estate wines from grapes, cherries, apples, and other fruits grown on their 100-acre farm near Fish Creek.