MAIN Wines North America USA Louisiana

With an early French and Spanish influence, it's often assumed that the winemaking tradition is strong in Louisiana. The reality is that early European settlers were not so interested in growing their own, as in importing the 'genuine' article direct from Europe!

And so the Mississippi River became a main avenue for shipments of imported wine from France and Spain. That's not to say that regional winemaking was totally without interest. One homegrown wine made from robust Cynthiana grapes went on to win awards at the World Industrial Exposition at New Orleans in 1885.

Prohibition destroyed any remaining interest in growing the grape in the 1920's and, today, there are only a handful of succesful wineries remaining, like the Feliciana Cellars Winery in Jackson, Louisiana (above), and other major vineyards and wineries:

Feliciana Cellars Winery - The elegant, Spanish mission style winery in downtown Jackson with info on their wines, vineyard and hours of operation, event calendar, driving directions.

Landry Vineyards - One of the state's newest entries begun in 1999 on 20-acres in St. Tammany Parish in Folsom, Louisiana, with info on their tours, an online shop, photo gallery, map and directions.

Pontchartrain Vineyards - In Bush, Louisiana with info on their jazz concert series, winery history, tour and event information, a food and wine pairing guide, details on nearby accommodations, map and directions.

Casa de Sue Winery & Vineyards - Located in Clinton and specializing in muscadine and blueberry wines, with tasting room info and hours of operation, map and directions.

also see -> Louisiana Beaches | Louisian Tourist Attractions