Highly Rated Warm-Weather Wineries To Get You Out Of The Cold And Sipping On Wine

Throughout the United States, millions of people are readying for yet another winter weekend of shoveling snow, cranking up the thermostat, bundling up in their warmest coats, and reaching for the liquor cabinet. However, in some states, those problems just don't exist because winter in its so-called traditional form isn't a thing. In states like Louisiana, Florida, Arizona, and Texas, temperatures hit highs of 50, 60, or 70 degrees in December, ensuring that residents and visitors alike never have to do more than throw on a sweatshirt — if that — to conquer the outdoors, even in the depths of winter. This means that at local wineries, the bands never stop playing, the outdoor patio never closes, and the wine never stops pouring.

If you're dreaming of a warm-weather winery to get you out of the cold and sipping on everything from a sweet rosé to a dry Cabernet, then check out these wineries across the U.S. located in states that hit pleasantly warm temperatures even in December. Explore used wine guides, wine blogs, and winery reviews to select the best and most popular wineries in traditionally warm states — all so you can enjoy a glass with a pleasant breeze and a ray of sunshine.

Maynard James Keenan may be better known as the lead singer of rock band Tool, but he's also a proponent of local wine made in Arizona. This is clear with his winery, Caduceus Cellars, in Jerome, Arizona, where high December temperatures can hit 75 degrees, making for a pleasant spot to sip wine in the sunshine — or underground. At Caduceus Cellars, the winery operates underground in a 3,000 square-foot space, although its Spanish and Italian wines are made from grapes grown in elevations of up to 4,900 feet high. With its 110 acres spread across six vineyards, Caduceus Cellars and its sister brand, also owned by Keenan, make 14,000 wine cases annually for Arizona consumers and beyond to enjoy. The winery is also located on the Verde Valley Wine Trail, a Southwestern destination that makes a great spot for a winter wine vacation.

To get to know all of what Caduceus Cellars has to offer and see its vineyards and winemaking facility and do a tasting, visitors can book a 90-minute private tour that also includes Arizona tapas made with ingredients from the winery's own garden for $269 per person. Or, if you want to experience Caduceus Cellars' wines outside of Arizona, you can sign up to become a member of the Velvet Slipper Wine Club. Members can receive up to six bottles of wine chosen by Keenan quarterly as well as online discounts and other perks.

Don't get it twisted — Duchman Family Winery may be an Italian-inspired winery, but it's proud to be Texan. All of its grapes are grown in Texas, which is possible because Italy has weather patterns that mimic those of Texas. But, fortunately, not all of its weather patterns are the same. In December, Driftwood, Texas, where Duchman Family Winery is located, can hit 64 degrees. In this climate, visitors can sip on wines like Montepulciano and Aglianico. 

And the atmosphere couldn't be better, according to HGTV, which named it one of the most beautiful wineries in America. The winery is also a popular spot for weddings, since receptions can be hosted either inside the Tuscan villa-inspired tasting room or outside under the property's age-old oak trees and packages include many of the necessary amenities. Plus, the winery is just a half-hour drive to the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and lodging options. Even if you're not saying your vows anytime soon, you can also get a free wine tasting at Duchman Family Winery by making a reservation for one of their five tasting stations. 

Duchman Family Winery got its start in 2004, when Drs. Lisa and Stan Duchman decided to bring their favorite Italian wines to Texas and show that the state could produce top-quality wines. Since then, they and their winemaker, Dave Reilly, have continued to experiment and implement cutting-edge winemaking methods to further the Texas wine scene while remaining true to the winery's identity.

If anyone knows how to grow grapes in the hot desert heat of Tucson, Arizona — where December temperatures average highs of 64 degrees – it's Sand-Reckoner Vineyards, which sources grapes from its own 12-acre vineyard as well as four other nearby vineyards including Rhumb Line Vineyard, Red Tree Ranch Vineyard, Bloomoon Vineyard, and Chiricahua Ranch Vineyard. That's because owners Rob Hammelman and Sarah Fox are storied in the art of growing wine at high altitudes. Hammelman, the winemaker, originally became interested in winemaking after a summer gig working at another Arizona winery and later became adept at making wine at some of the highest spots in the country. Meanwhile, Fox, the operations manager, gathered her wine experience at wineries in Colorado, her home state, and in Arizona.

Today, Sand-Reckoner Vineyards is an expert in making wine in one of the most notoriously warm destinations in the U.S. and serving it in Tucson's Warehouse Arts District, an epicenter of small business owners. In the tasting room, visitors can also purchase small snacks to eat with their wines, which include Malvasia Bianca, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Sagrantino, and Syrah. Those who live far from Tucson's ideal weather can also enjoy Sand-Reckoner Vineyards' wines thanks to its Wine Club, which distributes wines twice per year at a discount of 15 to 20%. Plus, all members enjoy six free tastings at the winery per year, so there's always a reason for a sip in the desert warmth.

Wines don't get more tropical than at Volcano Winery in Volcano, Hawaii, where grapes are grown on land where lava once flowed 4,000 feet above sea level. Since 1986, the winery's team has created unique wines infused with tropical fruit like starfruit, papaya, and passion fruit that couldn't be more fitting for the Big Island. In Volcano, where December temperatures can reach 72 degrees, visitors can taste wines like the Hawaiian Guava-Grape, made with yellow guava and white grapes; the Volcano Blush, which has a crisp freshness perfect for hot days; and the Volcano Red, made in honor of Pele, the goddess of fire. Even better, Hawaii is the best place to visit in America in December, according to travelers.

To taste all of what Volcano Winery has to offer, visitors can do an $18 tasting of all six of their wines, which also pair well with the winery's cheese platters, tea, coffee, and other refreshments. Or, for a true insider experience, visitors can reserve a $38 tour and tasting that includes a tour of the vineyards and facilities as well as a six-wine tasting and a tasting of the winery's two housemade teas. Decades after founder Lynn "Doc" McKinney began the winery after retiring from work as a veterinarian, Volcano Winery still holds true of bringing the flavors of Hawaii to the glass partly also in thanks to Del Bothof, who became the winery's second owner.

If you really want to be transported to a warm-weather paradise, Sanders Family Winery in Pahrump, Nevada, is the place to be. In this city that's less than an hour from the Las Vegas Strip, temperatures hit 59 degrees, and views of both the Spring Mountains and the Nopah Range are everywhere. Nestled between those mountains, winery-goers will find a statue of Teresa Lilianna who the founders have dubbed "The Wine Pourer" as well as cypress trees, creating a distinctly Italian vibe that's accentuated by a villa-style tasting room. Inside the tasting room, where visitors are welcome to bring their own food, wine tastings are free. Here, patrons can try Nevada-grown wines such as the Serenity white semi-sweet blend and the Harmony blush wine as well as more traditional wines like Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Sanders Family Winery, founded by Jack Sanders, was the first winery in Pahrump. Today, the property, which features two stunning vineyards, includes a visitor's center as well as an amphitheater for concerts and events. In addition, weddings for up to 100 people — a great example of a minimalist wedding which can save you money and stress — are often held on this beautiful property.

Unique experiences abound at Dos Cabezas WineWorks in Sonoita, Arizona, where December high temperatures reach 61 degrees. At this winery that dates back to 1995, visitors can try traditional Arizona-made wines as well as the winery's staple and ever-popular Rose Blend Carbonated Pink, which is served in a can for easy travels. It's the perfect crisp wine-in-a-can for hot days — no matter the month. To optimize your warm-weather experiences during the winter in Sonoita, Dos Cabezas WineWorks also offers two on-site lodgings with traditional Arizona décor, which are ideal if you know you want to savor more than a few glasses of wine and then sleep it off.

All of the wine here is made on two vineyards, both on elevations of over 4,200 feet and which date back nearly a decade. Some of the wines visitors can find in the tasting room that hail from these vineyards include the Meskeoli, the Quintosol, and the Estrellano.