How to Pick the Perfect Wines for Your Lake Getaway

Controversial opinion: I hate the beach. I always have. Beaches are so hot and so… sticky. Sand, salt, sunscreen, and sunburn (no matter how much sunscreen I use) — no, thank you. And don’t even get me started on jellyfish or seaweed. Sorry, the beach is not my thing! For vacations in the outdoors, I prefer a lake surrounded by lush trees and cool breezes. My ideal summer trip is full of rustic docks, speeding motorboats, glistening stars, and icy coolers full of wine.

It’s also full of friends who stay up too late, wake up too early, and enjoy the easy life in between. In June I visited Deep Creek Lake, Maryland with a group of friends like this — a group I have been vacationing with for almost 15 years. Since high school we have gone to Niagara Falls, Ft. Lauderdale, Las Vegas, the Finger Lakes, New York City, and, on maybe too many occasions, Atlantic City. Fully vaccinated, this year we desired a relaxing weekend at a lake to reunite and recover after some tough days. Of course, where there are great friends, there must be great wines. After all, there’s nothing better to mend souls and fuel new memories than wine! And so as the resident wine blogger, I packed a bottle or two… or 24. (Who’s counting?)

To be the wine hero at your own lake retreat, follow the steps below and check out my affordable, accessible recommendations! All of the wines featured in this post are imported by Winebow, an importer with widespread distribution across the United States.

Survey your squad

People’s tastes change constantly. Your friend who used to love sweet White Zinfandel might be an orange wine evangelist now. Trust me — crazier things have happened. Check in with everyone to get a rough tally of the types of wine everyone is currently crushing on.

Those summer nights—and days

Your friend might love Tempranillo but what are the chances they will want to drink it on an afternoon boat ride? No matter what they tell you, don’t go all in on one type of wine, especially if it is red. Always bring a mix that includes a few sparkling or rosé wines. Even a red-wine-only drinker loves a morning glass of bubbles!

Pack the essentials

Are you positive your rental or hotel has a wine key, bottle stoppers, and decent wine glasses? If you have room in your car, go ahead and pack the bare minimum. On our lake vacation we used my sparkling wine stopper everyday. Pack yours and be the person who keeps the bubbly bubbling!

Most importantly: the wine!

Once you’ve gathered your intel and determined how many bottles you need, it’s time to select the wines you’re bringing.

White and sparkling wine strategy

I recommend keeping this category light, bright, and fun. Many of these will be consumed under the sun and on the water. As much as I love cerebral white wines, your lakeside wines should be solid drinkers, not thinkers. Pick producers that make reputable, affordable wines that you can feel good about tossing back. Speaking of tossing back, keep an eye on ABV! No one likes an evening hangover.

Zardetto NV Brut Prosecco, Veneto, Italy ($17): This Prosecco is made from Glera grapes sourced from various vineyards in the hilly part of the region, northeast of Conegliano. A few of my friends enjoyed a splash in their mimosas before a pontoon cruise, and I paired the rest with crudités and homemade ranch dip in the early afternoon. Floral, fruity, and versatile.

Ponga 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($13): New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is zippy, peachy, and citrusy—exactly what you need for an afternoon of sunbathing. This has generous fruit and bright acidity, a must for me. My idea of relaxation is a glass of crisp, refreshing white wine in one hand and my favorite magazine in the other. (Bonus points if I’m perched on a chaise lounge.)

Clean Slate 2019 Riesling, Mosel, Germany ($12): This wine is many people’s first German Riesling for good reason. It’s consistently fresh and flavorful and can be found in almost any store that sells wine. When you’re with a group full of different tastes, you can never have too many easy go-tos like this!

If your crew likes rosé, I recommend Figuière 2020 Méditerranée Rosé ($18) by Famille Combard and François Montand Sparkling Brut Rosé ($15).

Red wine game plan

When the sun goes down and the breeze picks up, it’s time to uncork the red wines. For summertime I like ripe, fruity reds that taste delicious with grilled foods or on their own. These wines are a little more serious to encourage flowing conversations, belly laughter, and nostalgic tears under the stars. Pick red wines that are just as comfortable around a fire pit (or in a jacuzzi) as you are.

Lapostolle 2019 Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($25): I was traveling with a few Cabernet Sauvignon-lovers and needed something affordable to satisfy them. Chile to the rescue! This expressive example of Cabernet Sauvignon is carefully crafted using gentle extraction and judicious oak. It has intense flavors of blackberries and black cherries to please “big red” fans, plus refined elegance to satisfy all types of wine drinkers.

Zenato 2017 Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Venato, Italy ($17): This blend of 80% Corvina, 10% Rondinella, and 10% Oseleta is velvety and juicy, bursting with red fruits, bitter herbs, and cocoa. Lively and vibrant, Valpolicella is one of Italy’s contributions to the summer red category. Give it a light chill and pair it with s’mores for a decadent late-night snack. You can thank me later.

Bodegas Volver 2018 Single Vineyard Tempranillo, La Mancha, Spain ($16): When you think of Tempranillo, does your mind automatically go to Rioja? Probably! But there’s plenty of delicious Tempranillo all over Spain. This one is from La Mancha, a sunny region that experiences extreme high and low temperatures. Pair a full-bodied, toasty wine like this with steaks or portobello mushrooms on the grill.

Enjoying a glass of Lapostolle Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon

Thank you to Winebow Imports for providing samples for this post! Read my sample policy.