Travel website Orbitz has looked at the number of hotel and package bookings made on its site between from 2005 to 2007, and Napa Valley leads the way among wine regions.
The California AVA – home to famous names such as Mondavi, Opus One and Beringer – saw overall bookings double in the three-year period.
Three of the top 10 fastest-growing regions are in the Pacific Northwest, within the states of Oregon and Washington.
Heather Leisman, senior director of merchandising for Orbitz, said: “No matter where you live in the U.S., you’re probably not more than a few hours away from a great vacation that pairs a nice hotel with a local vineyard.”
“Fall is a great time for food and wine lovers to enjoy the many harvest festivals and winery tours, which often combine fine cuisine with the best in local wines.”
The fastest-growing wine regions, in terms of tourism, from 2005 to 2007:
1. Napa Valley, California
2. Texas Hill Country
3. Arkansas Wine Country
4. Puget Sound, Washington
5. Columbia Cascades and North Central Washington
6. Grand River Valley, Ohio
7. Nashville/Bloomington Area, Indiana
8. Applegate/Rogue Valley, Oregon
9. Lake Erie region, Ohio
10. Kalamazoo, Michigan
