Not California Or New York — One Of 2026's Most Underrated Red Wines Comes From This State

The U.S. wine industry has grown dramatically in recent generations, developing bottles that can stand up to some of the world's best. Naturally, many think of California when it comes to American wine, and for good reason — the Golden State accounted for over 80% of the nation's wine production in 2023 (via World Population Review). However, among the underrated red wines to try in 2026, one of the top options stands out not just for its flavor but also for its place of origin. That's Early Mountain Vineyards' Rise red blend, hailing from Madison, Virginia.

As the name reveals, this wine is a mixture of several varieties, primarily merlot, with elements of petit verdot, tannat, and cabernet franc. Our reviewer called it "strikingly bold, revealing layers of black fruit, leather, dark chocolate, and cedar," going on to label the bottle "not a wine for the faint of heart." At the same time, the Rise blend earned praise for its balance, velvety tannin elements, and long finish.

Located in a small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia's north-central region, Early Mountain Vineyards is part of a small but well-reviewed (and still-growing) selection of Virginia-made wine. In 2023, the commonwealth produced just over 2.7 million gallons, sitting in 11th place overall behind North Carolina. The state's roughly 300 wineries are a notable improvement from the 1980s, when just six operated in all of Virginia. Still, it produces just a fraction of California's nearly 610 million gallons and even the 33 million made in New York state, making Early Mountain's presence on our list even more impressive.

A quick look at the origin of some other bottles on our underrated list further reveals the lofty company Virginia is keeping. Outside of top American spots like Paso Robles, California, choices hail from noted wine regions such as Portugal's Douro, Lombardy and the Piedmont in Italy, and France's Loire Valley.

The wine isn't just a favorite of our tasters and other critics — it earned 4.3 out of 5 stars from nearly 180 reviews on wine search site Vivino, with many commenting on the wine's smoothness and balance. This high quality makes it even more important to avoid the mistakes everyone makes when drinking red wine, like storing it standing up, which can dry out the cork, or letting it get too hot or cold, both of which result in degraded drinking experiences.

Early Mountain Vineyards makes it easy to try this underrated wine. The current 2021 vintage is available directly from its website for $150 per 750-milliliter bottle, but it's also available from third-party liquor stores and wine sellers, which may stock it for less. So, for wine connoisseurs looking to expand their palate with a new terroir (or region-specific taste), grab a bottle of this vibrant, impressive red blend. It represents one of the top early players in what's certainly a wine region worth watching.