Regions › Delaware

Delaware Wine Country

America's First State has a small but growing wine scene — 9 producers on the Delmarva Peninsula crafting Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, and Vidal Blanc from coastal plain vineyards moderated by Atlantic Ocean influence.

9Wineries
Delmarva PeninsulaSetting
Cabernet FrancSignature
3Regions
AtlanticCoast

Premier Regions

Delaware's most celebrated wine regions — the essential destinations for any wine country visit.

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🤓 Did You Know?
Lewes was founded in 1631 by the Dutch West India Company — 11 years before Delaware was formally chartered, making it the state's oldest European settlement.

About Delaware Wine Country

Delaware wine country is intimate, approachable, and entirely without pretension — a small collection of 9 producers on the Delmarva Peninsula making wines from Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, and Traminette in a maritime climate moderated by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. What Delaware lacks in scale it makes up for in accessibility: every tasting room here feels personal, and the winemakers know their visitors by name.

The Cape Region around Lewes and Rehoboth Beach is Delaware's wine heartland — Nassau Valley Vineyards, Salted Vines, and The Brimming Horn Meadery serve the 3+ million annual beach visitors who discover that wine is a compelling reason to explore the interior.

Central Delaware around Smyrna and Felton has the state's most characterful farm estates, while Northern Delaware near Wilmington serves the Brandywine Valley cultural tourism market with urban craft beverages.

At a Glance
Total Wineries9
Signature GrapeCabernet Franc
Other VarietalsChambourcin, Vidal Blanc
ClimateMid-Atlantic maritime
Avg Tasting Fee$10–$20
No Sales TaxWine costs less here
Peak SeasonMay–October
Nearest AirportPhiladelphia (PHL)

More Delaware Wine Regions

Farm country estates and Wilmington's urban craft beverage scene.

Central Delaware wine country
🌾 Farm Country
Central Delaware
3 wineries · Non-AVA · $10–$18
Smyrna, Felton, and Marydel — Harvest Ridge Winery and Pizzadili Vineyard in genuine agricultural settings.
Cabernet Franc, Traminette, Chambourcin
Notable: Harvest Ridge, Pizzadili Vineyard
Explore Central Delaware →
Northern Delaware / Wilmington wine country
🏙 Urban
Northern Delaware / Wilmington
2 wineries · Urban · $10–$18
Wilmington's Brandywine Valley craft beverage scene — Liquid Alchemy and urban producers near the du Pont estates.
Craft production; diverse styles
Notable: Liquid Alchemy Beverages
Explore Northern Delaware / Wilmington →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many wineries does Delaware have?
9 wineries and craft beverage producers across 3 regions. The Cape Region near Lewes has the most, making it the natural starting point.
What wines is Delaware known for?
Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, and Vidal Blanc — mid-Atlantic varieties suited to the Delmarva Peninsula's maritime climate. Nassau Valley's Vidal Blanc is a standout.
Best time to visit Delaware wine country?
May through October. Summer combines beach visits with wine tasting; fall is quieter with harvest energy at the estates.
Can I combine Delaware wine tasting with a beach trip?
Absolutely — that's the appeal. Nassau Valley and Salted Vines are 10 minutes from Lewes and Rehoboth Beach. Wine and beach in the same afternoon.