There’s something that happens when women get away together that’s hard to explain until you experience it for yourself.

Maybe it starts over a glass of wine at dinner. Maybe it happens sitting around a campfire after a long day together. Maybe it’s in the middle of a conversation where someone says, “Me too,” and suddenly you realize you’re not alone in the way you’ve been feeling.

That’s the magic of Wine Camp.

And honestly? It has become so much more than I ever imagined it would be.

When most people first hear about Wine Camp, they assume it’s all about wine. And yes, wine is absolutely part of it. We explore beautiful wine regions, learn about different varietals, taste incredible wines, and enjoy unforgettable experiences together.

But underneath all of that, something deeper happens.

Women reconnect with themselves.

Friendships form faster than you’d think possible.

And women who have spent years taking care of everyone else finally give themselves permission to simply enjoy life again.

How Wine Camp Began

Wine Camp actually started years ago during my Traveling Vineyard days. Back then, our company hosted annual conventions called Wine Camp, where we gathered to share ideas, grow our businesses, and enjoy wine together.

When the company eventually closed, many of us missed the connection just as much as the business itself.

One day, my friend Robin and I were talking about what came next, and she said, “Why don’t we keep Wine Camp going ourselves?”

And honestly, it felt right immediately.

We started creating our own experiences in beautiful wine regions across the country. Our first Wine Camp took place in Texas Hill Country. The second was in Virginia wine country. And now we’re headed to the Finger Lakes region of New York for Wine Camp 2026.

Every year, the wine is wonderful.

But the women are what make it unforgettable.

Why Women Need Experiences Like This

Most women are carrying more than they realize.

We spend so much of our lives taking care of families, businesses, schedules, responsibilities, and expectations that we forget what it feels like to simply relax and enjoy ourselves without guilt.

At Wine Camp, women step outside of their normal routines for a few days.

Nobody’s asking what’s for dinner.

Nobody’s rushing to throw in another load of laundry.

Nobody’s trying to juggle work, errands, caregiving, and twenty tabs open in their brain at once.

Instead, women get to breathe.

They laugh.

They stay up talking.

They share stories.

They reconnect with parts of themselves that may have been buried under responsibility for a very long time.

And the friendships that form? They’re real.

One of my favorite moments was watching women from our first Wine Camp reconnect at the second one like no time had passed at all. They had stayed connected through Instagram and Facebook, cheering each other on long after the trip ended.

That’s when I realized this experience was becoming something much bigger than a wine getaway.

What Makes the Finger Lakes So Special

This year’s Wine Camp is taking us to the Finger Lakes region of New York, and I could not be more excited about it.

The Finger Lakes region is incredibly important to American wine history. Dr. Konstantin Frank helped pioneer methods that allowed European vinifera grape varieties to survive in colder climates here in the United States.

And then there are the lakes themselves.

The deep glacier-carved lakes create a unique climate that helps vineyards thrive, especially Riesling grapes. The wines from this region are layered, balanced, food-friendly, and absolutely fascinating to taste.

We’ll experience everything from dry Rieslings to sweet ice wines, and if you think you don’t like Riesling yet, trust me… you may change your mind.

I’m especially excited for our sunset dinner cruise on Seneca Lake. I already know it’s going to be one of those evenings we’ll talk about long after the weekend ends.

What Women Really Leave With

Yes, women leave Wine Camp with favorite wines and fun memories.

But they also leave with something far more important.

They leave feeling seen.

They leave with friendships.

They leave with stories they’ll still be laughing about months later.

They leave feeling lighter, more connected, and more like themselves again.

And maybe most importantly, they leave remembering that they’re not meant to do life alone.

That matters.

Especially in midlife, when so many women quietly feel disconnected, isolated, or stuck in routines that no longer light them up.

Sometimes saying yes to yourself looks like booking the trip.

Sometimes it looks like showing up to the Zoom happy hour before deciding.

Sometimes it simply starts with allowing yourself to imagine that you deserve joy, friendship, and experiences that fill your cup back up again.

And my friend, you absolutely do.

Cheers to that.