As we move towards the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Republic, I am looking at the celebration under many lenses, some historical, some personal, and many wine-related, as is my way. It’s amazing to think that today in 2026, grapes are made into wine in all 50 states. While not all states export wines to other regions or are well known for their wines, everywhere, visiting a winery, drinking local wines, and learning about winemaking and fermentation is not something foreign to a good number of people.

Today, I am doing a whirlwind tour through a host of states starting in the midwest and moving eastward. I am starting in Illinois merely because it’s where one of my absolute favorite President’s is from, Abraham Lincoln. Illinois has a growing wine scene and numerous wineries that have gathered in groups to form wine trails. It’s a tourist destination for many as well as part of a weekend adventure outdoors, hiking or biking. In Illinois they seem focused on the Chambourcin grape and on Norton. The former is a French-American hybrid grape and the latter is an American hybrid that was created in Richmond, Virginia.

Moving on to another state in the midwest, Missouri, we find these same two grapes are paramount with Norton being named the official grape of Missouri. Missouri has a number of promotional boards with loads of information about the region at their website linked here. Apparently they have a long storied history of grape growing which was started by German settlers in 1837 along the banks of the Missouri River around the town of Hermann.

Iowa also has a host of wineries and a number of local associations promoting wines and giving out awards in a variety of categories. Looking at their website, they grow a number of grapes that are hybrids, crosses, and they like. I love the way they are marketing these grapes to people who don’t know them. The first one was if you love moscato, you will love Brianna. You had me at hello Iowa. If and when I get the chance, I am going to head out and visit some of these wineries and taste grapes I do not know at all.

Indiana grows a lot of the same grape varieties as Iowa does but they are focusing more on the Traminette grape which I first tried in the Finger Lake region of New York.  It is an aromatic white hybrid grape that is a cross between Gewürztraminer and Joannes Seyve 23.416. It does very well in cool climes. I found this great article about it in the Wine Enthusiast.

I think these states are very smart to have a signature variety associated with them the way Argentina did with Malbec or Uruguay with Tannat. It’s an easy way for consumers to understand what grows where and have them consoder your region as something special and related to something they can understand. It’s not for everywhere or countries or areas that have a huge number of grape varieties but it can help a region or state to stand out.

Ohio has a large number of wineries that can be visited and explored and they seem to grow a mix of European varietals, American hybrids,, and native grapes from America that are made into sweet wines such as Concord and Catawaba. Thanks to their proximity to the location on Lake Erie, the microclimate allows many grapes to thrive. Again, these wines do not reach the East Coast, at least not yet, but visiting any of these states could provide the opportunity to see what they are growing and visit wine country.

I already wrote about Michigan wines in another post a few weeks back but mentioning them here because of their location in the midwest.

Another cold midwest state which was in the news a lot this year for the things they went through, Minnesota, is home not only to a vibrant, active population but a thriving wine culture pioneered by American made hybrid grapes such as Marquette and La Crescent.

Wisconsin is another state where wineries are a travel destination for weekend trips, outdoor adventures, and the like. Wisconsin grows many of the same. grapes as the other states that I mention here with cold hardy French American hybrids growing alongside American hybrids that can withstand the levels of cold weather these states experience.

Nebraska too has its share of wineries growing very similar varietals be it Frontenac or Edelweiss, these states seem to have a lot in common, most importantly the need for resilient grapes that can withstand their harsh weather. Who knows if this will change as the weather warms up.

Kansas in our collective imagination the home of the Wizard of Oz of yesteryear bills itself as a hidden gem and puts its wineries out their as romantic adventures. In terms of grapes, Chambourci, the French-American Hybrid is considered their signature red grape variety while Vignoles is their official white variety. Kansas has a very long history with wine, as German settlers to neighboring Missouri also brought their grapes to Kansas early. In the 1800s Kansas was a leading grape producer. However in the late 1800s, an avid local began campaigning against alcohol. She was very successful and prohibition started much earlier in Kansas than in the rest of the US. I found this excellent post with lots of great history about the Kansas wine industry.

You can sip your way through North and South Dakota too if you are road tripping out that way or there for business of pleasure. Many of the grapes are the same ones we have seen across other states in the midwest. As we gear up for the holiday this weekend, I am excited by the prospect of one day trying wines from all 50 states. Now I know at least what to look for in 27 of them. Another few posts to go by Saturday to reach all 50 states. Stay tuned.