You enjoy the Napa lifestyle. What are the prices in Napa? Not a lot. If you have a limited budget, you may think that you cannot afford to live among the vineyards. That’s not true. We discovered four towns in wine country where you can enjoy local wine on your patio without spending a lot of money on your accommodation.
Palisade, Colorado
- Median sales price: $296,500
Palisade, just like Traverse City, has a unique climate that enables the region to cultivate crops that you might not expect to find in Colorado. The region is known for growing wine grapes, with two-thirds of the state’s vineyard acres and a quarter of its wineries located here. There are many orchards, vineyards, tasting rooms, and wineries in this small town.
They all have a lot of local Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. Varaison Vineyards and Winery hosts Fire Pit Fridays, where locals can enjoy s’mores and wine tastings. People who live here like to go on outdoor adventures at Mount Lincoln and Mount Garfield. They also enjoy attending weekend festivals, such as the Colorado Mountain Winefest in September.
There are wineries spread throughout town, so locals can easily find one nearby, no matter where they live or how much money they have. Living near a winery doesn’t mean you need to be a millionaire. You can live a comfortable life with a median sales price of $296,500.
Walla Walla, Washington
- Median sales price: $252,111
Italians who moved to Walla Walla in the late 1800s brought with them the skill of making wine. Regrettably, it would require almost a century to determine how to enable grapes to withstand the frequently unpredictable weather in this region. Today, the area is famous for its Cabernet Sauvignon, but you’ll also find many vineyards growing Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec. There are over 120 wineries in Walla Walla. One of them is owned by NFL star Drew Bledsoe. There is also a group of small wineries located at the local airport.
The people in Walla Walla take their wine seriously, but the overall atmosphere is relaxed and lighthearted, just like its name suggests. Andrae’s Kitchen is a highly regarded restaurant located in a petrol station in this city. It is run by the acclaimed chef Andrae Bopp. At the wineries in town, you’ll often see winemakers socialising with customers. For example, Julia Russell of Mansion Creek Cellars even teaches flamenco moves to her patrons.
Walla Walla is becoming more popular as a wine region, although it is still not widely known. Take advantage of the current market conditions with a median sales price of $252,111 and get ahead of the competition.
Also Read: Triad City is Among the Most Affordable Places to Celebrate the Eve
Tryon, North Carolina
- Median sales price: $288,500
This town, located in North Carolina’s horse country, has a population of 1,700. It is known for being a great place for the arts. A number of artists, actors, and writers, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, have resided in this town located close to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
People who live in the area and those who are visiting enjoy the art galleries, small bookstores, and restaurants on Trade Street. However, the Tryon Foothills Wine Country has become an even more popular place to visit. The Tryon Foothills have the longest grape-growing season in the state because they are protected from extreme weather by the mountains. The area has been well-known for its ideal conditions for growing grapes for more than a hundred years.
Today, the region grows many different types of wine grapes, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. At Mountain Brook Vineyard, the grapes are picked by hand. At Overmountain Vineyards, a father and daughter work together to make French-style wine.
Traverse City, Michigan
- Median listing price: $220,650
Traverse City has more than just the mountain-like dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan as unique geographical features. The city’s proximity to the lake creates perfect conditions for growing grapes that thrive in cooler climates, something that cannot be achieved in any other part of the region. Wine experts really enjoy the Rieslings from this region. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are also popular types of wine in Traverse City.
There is even more praise for the beautiful natural scenery at the 35 wineries in the area, especially the ones located on the picturesque Leelanau Peninsula. When you look out at Grand Traverse Bay from Chateau Chantel or the lavender fields of Brys Estate, the beautiful views go well with the wine.
Traverse City is popular among summer vacationers, but it remains open even after the busy season. Many wineries are open all year round. There are also plenty of art galleries, events, and film screenings at the restored vintage State Theatre. With a median listing price of $220,650, you would have enough money in your budget to explore everything.