Top 10 Most Exciting Wine Regions to Follow in 2026
We live in a golden age of wine discovery. Regions that were once backwaters are now producing world-class bottles, and historic giants are reinventing themselves in fascinating ways.
As we head into 2026, the landscape is shifting again. From the volcanic slopes of Sicily to the misty mountains of California, here are the 10 regions we are most excited to explore this year.
1. Mt. Etna, Sicily
The Story: The artisanal explosion continues.
In 2000, you could count the number of wine producers on Mt. Etna on one hand. Today, there are over 150. What makes Etna unique is that despite this growth, it has resisted industrialization. There are no "wine factories" here; almost everyone is working on an artisanal scale, farming the volcanic soils by hand.
Why 2026? Every year we discover a new fantastic producer, and 2026 looks to be no different. Quality seems to be getting better and better, and the distinct "contrada" (single vineyard) expressions are becoming clearer than ever. See my complete guide to the region here.
2. Bordeaux, France
The Story: An old region with a new value proposition.
For a long time, Bordeaux was too expensive, and stylistically too eager to please board room marketing teams. But there has been a strong shift to a more elegant style. Meanwhile, inventories have built up as the region continues to struggle with declining consumption in France, forcing prices down. The results have been fantastic for consumers.
Why 2026? Three huge reasons:
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Back-Vintage Bonanza: The accumulated inventory means you can find incredible Bordeaux with 10 years of age for under $60, sometimes even as little as $30. That is unbeatable value in the fine wine world.
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The 2022s: These are hitting the market now, and they are widely considered the best set of wines since the legendary 2005s.
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The 2024 Futures Rumors: This year marks the 2024 en primeur campaign. The rumor mill suggests prices will be slashed significantly (potentially back to 2014 levels) for what looks like a fascinating, fresh vintage.
3. Penedes Sparklers, Spain
The Story: The grower revolution.
The "Champagne Grower" revolution—where farmers bottle their own wine rather than selling grapes to big houses—is spreading to Catalonia. There has been an explosion in artisanal production, with a renewed focus on indigenous grapes like Xarel-lo and Macabeo.
Why 2026? We are seeing a hard pivot away from mass-produced, rubbery juice toward long-aged, terroir-driven sparkling wines that rival top Champagne for complexity (but at a fraction of the price). Look for producers breaking away from the big cooperatives -- and breaking away from the restrictive "Cava" appellation - to make singular, serious wines. And while you're in the Penedes, you might as well try some of the dry white wines as well!
4. Oregon (But for Chardonnay)
The Story: The secret is out: The white wines might be even better than the reds.
Oregon built its fame on Pinot Noir, but the "wine cognoscenti" are increasingly obsessed with the state’s Chardonnay.
Why 2026? It’s a make-or-break stylistic moment. Recently, a highly "reductive" style (think struck match, flint, and smoke) became very fashionable. It’s delicious in moderation, but can be overwhelming. If winemakers pull back just a little bit on this style in 2026 to let the fruit shine through, we could see a true breakthrough year for Oregon white wine.
5. Santa Cruz Mountains, California
The Story: The most underrated terroir in California.
The folks at Ridge have known this for decades, but the rest of the world is finally catching on. This region boasts high-altitude vineyards, ancient marine soils, and cool climates that Napa can only dream of.
Why 2026? With land prices in Napa and Sonoma becoming astronomical, ambitious young winemakers are flocking to Santa Cruz. It is increasingly recognized as having some of the best terroir in the New World. Expect distinct, savory, cellar-worthy Cabernets and Pinot Noirs that taste of the mountain, not just the barrel.
6. The Swartland, South Africa
The Story: The "New" Old World.
You asked for excitement from the Southern Hemisphere? This is it. The Swartland has transformed from a bulk-wine region into the epicenter of the South African avant-garde.
Why 2026? The "Swartland Revolution" has matured. The focus on old-vine Chenin Blanc and Syrah, farmed dry (without irrigation), is producing wines with shocking texture and soul. These wines are often savory, saline, and "unfruity" in the best possible way. If you love the Northern Rhône or the Loire, you need to be drinking Swartland in 2026.
7. Piedmont, Italy
The Story: The world's best cellar value.
This isn't "new" news, but it is remarkable that it’s still true. There is no better source in the world right now for cellar-worthy wines under $100. You can read my guide to Barolo here.
Why 2026? Even after global inflation, you can buy world-class Barolo and Barbaresco for prices that make Burgundy lovers weep. As we enter, 2026 late releases of the great 2021s are still coming on to the market. These are wines you can lay down for 20 years, and they remain accessible to mere mortals.
8. Crete, Greece
The Story: The sleeping giant wakes up.
While Santorini has priced itself into the stratosphere, Crete has been quietly undergoing a renaissance.
Why 2026? Crete has been named the European Region of Gastronomy for 2026. The spotlight will be massive. Watch for the Vidiano grape (the "Viognier of Greece") and Liatiko (an ancient red variety that drinks like a spicy Pinot Noir). With phylloxera-free old vines and high-altitude sites, the quality-to-price ratio here is insane.
9. The Southern Rhone, France
The Story: From "Fruit Bomb" to Freshness.
For years, this region was ridiculed by wine snobs for being clumsy, heavy, and boozy. But something fascinating has happened: even as the years have gotten warmer, the wines have freshened up.
Why 2026? Is it better wine-making? Better viticulture? Is the Grenache grape adapting? Who knows. Perhaps producers have been inspired by the success of the super elegant Rayas, or of they “airy” Grenache from regions like Sierra de Gredos, in Spain. This is the year that you will find elegant Grenache not just in Chateauneuf-du-Pape, but also in “satellite” regions like Gigondas or Vacqueyras. This is the year to revisit these wines.
10. Styria (Steiermark), Austria
The Story: Sauvignon Blanc, but not as you know it.
Forget the grassy, tropical fruit bombs of New Zealand. Styria is producing some of the most profound, mineral-driven white wines on earth.
Why 2026? This region is finally getting its due on the global stage. The wines here are grown on impossibly steep slopes and are often aged in large neutral oak. They are textured, sharp, and intensely mineral—more like great Chablis than standard Sauvignon Blanc. For the adventurous white wine drinker, this is the frontier.
Jeff Patten is one of the founders of Flatiron Wines. He has been buying and selling wine, and exploring wine country, for over 20 years, and drinking and collecting it for far longer. He is WSET certified (level 2).
