4 Under-the-Radar Wine Regions to Discover This Year

Here at Sommsation, we’ve deemed 2025 our year of discovery: new varieties, up-and-coming producers, and under-the-radar regions included. In our pursuit of diving deeper into the unknown, our expert team has compiled a list of four lesser-known viticultural regions to discover this year. Whether simply drinking more from these hidden-gem areas or planning a luxurious, wine-focused getaway, these four areas promise to open your mind to a whole new world of wine, as well as broaden your knowledge and tasting skills along the way.

Umbria (Italy)
Tuscany and Piedmont tend to get all of the attention, though in the realm of Italian wine-producing regions, there’s so much more to be discovered. In the spirit of venturing off the beaten path, we’re adding lesser-known Italian regions to our wine travel regimen—and as our sommeliers will tell you, there’s no better place to begin than Umbria. Nestled between Tuscany, Le Marche, and Abruzzo, Umbria is home to a rich viticultural history centered around a handful of local grape varieties, including Sagrantino, Grechetto, and more. 

Yarra Valley (Australia)

For those looking to really fly under the radar, heading to Australia’s Yarra Valley promises a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Deemed Victoria’s first wine region, this small-yet-fierce area’s viticultural history dates back over 170 years, and today, is home to an impressive 80+ wineries. Best of all, the Yarra Valley is located just an hour north of Melbourne, making it relatively easy to access (and also adds a buzzy urban escape for foodies curious to experience the city’s rich gastronomy scene). 

As its name implies, the Yarra Valley’s wine-producing areas are centered around the Yarra River, which finds its origins in the Yarra Ranges National Park and flows all the way down to the city of Melbourne, where it eventually terminates into the Port Phillip Bay. Overall, the growing conditions of the Yarra Valley are quite cool, making it an ideal place for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as producing both still and sparkling wines. Burgundy and Sonoma fans, think of this as your twin flame location down under.

Texas Hill Plains (USA)

Did you know that in addition to the prestigious domestic wine-growing regions on the East and West Coast, there’s a burgeoning winemaking area rising to the scene in the American south? Located in the state’s Panhandle, the Texas High Plains represent a large AVA (spanning 9 million acres, to be exact!) and is home to over 60 up-and-coming wineries. Although relatively youthful compared to other domestic wine-producing regions, the area has been growing grapes and producing wine for about 25 years, establishing itself as one of the highest-potential areas for winemaking in the south. 

Thanks to its low humidity and high elevation, the microclimate of the Texas High Plains is ideal for growing a handful of grapes, with disease pressure kept low due to the area’s relatively low amounts of rainfall. Although growers are experimenting with a number of varieties, the area has found great success with Tempranillo and Grenache, as well as Viognier, Roussanne, and Zinfandel.

Within Argentina’s revered wine-producing region of Mendoza lies the Uco Valley, deemed the unofficial crown jewel of the overarching region. Located about an hour south from the city of Mendoza, this high-altitude area is known for producing terroir-reflective, cool-climate wines marked by refreshing natural acidity and distinct floral aromatics. Thanks to the regin’s dry, continental climate and large diurnal temperature swings (warm days, cool nights), grapes are able to optimally ripen without facing hardly any disease pressure. 

As with most of Mendoza, the Uco Valley is synonymous with world-class Malbec, though the region is also known for its Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Torrontés, which thrive in the area’s alluvial, well-draining soils. Best of all, the area’s vineyards are located at the foot of the Andes mountains, which offer breathtaking views and a myriad of outdoor activities to partake in—and with over 250 sunny days a year, you’ll hardly have to worry about weather when planning your visit!