Wine o’clock is all the time, right? If you’re passionate about wines, then tasting the local produce is probably already part of your vacation. Nothing quite beats sitting back and enjoying the views with a delicious glass of wine. But what if it became the main theme of your trip? That’s where wine tourism comes in…
We love admiring a landscape, basking in the culture of a foreign city, and we love enjoying the local beverages. What if we told you that wine tourism combined these three elements? Sounds like a dream vacation, right?
Wander around the gorgeous vineyards, go for wine tasting sessions, and taste the local wines for yourself in their home grounds. Check out some of the world’s premier wine destinations for yourselves, and learn about each destination’s tastes and history. Experience incredible wines with food to match. Read on about the best places to visit for wine…
Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is one of the most well-known regions in Europe for their wines – it is a haven for wine lovers all over the world! Home to some of the world’s most renowned red wines, this stunning region has to make your itinerary on your wine trail.
Tuscany is one of the best places to visit for wine thanks to its iconic Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano red wines.
Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is not just a beautiful, historic city, but it is also renowned for its wine. It is the place for wine tourism. Wine making dates back over 20 centuries, and is a strong part of the city’s historical identity. The Bordelais are extremely proud of their heritage.
There are almost 7500 producers and around 10,000 Bordeaux wines for you to try – so time to get tasting! Many vineyards in the surrounding areas offer tours and wine tasting experiences to really top off your trip. Some companies even offer day trips where you can visit several vineyards and have tasting sessions included! Perfection!
Porto, Portugal
Porto is part of Douro, the oldest wine region in the world. Of course, the city is known for its Port wine – loved and adored by many! The grapes here are grown in the Douro Valley, and Port wine has so many varieties for you to sample. Port is a fortified wine, which makes it very distinguished in taste. This means that a distilled spirit has been added to the wine, which with Port, helps give it that sweet taste.
We recommend visiting Caves Ferreira to learn about the history of the iconic wine. They also have the Old Bar which is their old tasting room dating back to the 19th century! You can also visit the Port lodges, where you can learn about the entire production of Port wine and also taste the different varieties. You’ll be clued up on your Port after this trip!
Maribor, Slovenia
Maribor is great for wine tourism thanks to its very own Wine Route. It takes you to wine shops within the city center where they will teach you all about Štajerska wines. Štajerska boasts one of the oldest vines in the world, and is known for its varieties of white wine. You can sample 9 wines and enjoy snacks while tasting what Maribor has to offer!
Other routes can allow you to be taken around the local vineyards by an experienced sommelier, who will then take you to see the cellars. This is where the magic happens! The winemaker and the sommelier will explain the creation process and you will learn a lot from their knowledge. They will also guide you on how to choose the best wine for your meal for a unique dining experience.
Catalonia, Spain
Not only is Catalonia loved for its beaches and varied landscapes, but also for its wine scene. Wine tourism is a big thing here, and one of its most famous wines is Cava, a sparkling wine made from Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes. How can you have a unique vineyard experience? You can travel across vineyards on a segway or even sleep in a winery to get the full experience!
Loire Valley, France
Loire Valley has plenty for you to discover. Wine tourism is one of its main appeals, and it attracts visitors from all over the world. Loire Valley vineyards stretch along the Loire river, and past its famous chateaux. So many famous French wines were born here – Saumur, Chinon and Chambord but to name a few! You can wander round its vineyards and see their wine cellars and take part in their wine-tasting walks!
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is the home to many wine estates in the city and its surroundings. Discover its wine country but also its incredible wine bars and mouth-watering restaurants. The country’s oldest wine region, Constantia, is in Cape Town’s suburbs and will introduce you to its wine, Groot Constantia. There are 900 estates producing more than 9000 labels annually in the Western Cape – so you will have plenty of wines to choose from!
Santiago, Chile
Santiago is one of the best destinations in South America for wine tourism. It is closeby to some of Chile’s most renowned wine regions such as Maipo Valley and Casablanca Valley for example. Unlike in other countries, in Chile, wine-tasting sessions need to be booked and can last a day. You can travel down to the wineries and take in the atmospheric views all while tasting Memorias and Calicanto wines.
Vienna, Austria
Wine tourism is a strong part of Vienna’s cultural identity, and you can find the vineyards in the villages surrounding the Austrian capital. It is home to 1,700 acres of vineyards, of which the majority produce white wines.
There are so many wine tasting tour possibilities – you can even take a bike tour before sitting down to enjoy Vienna’s wine scene. Or you can enjoy a taste session in a historic Roman wine cellar to learn the ins and outs of Viennese wines.
Tenerife, Spain
Tenerife is already a dream destination, but what if we told you that the local wines are exquisite? Tenerife’s wineries are the island’s best kept secrets, and they are the largest wine producer within the Canary Islands.
The vineyard’s surroundings can vary, some of them are located in the north of the island and closeby to Mount Teide, a volcano, whilst others in the south are in a desert-like climate. The island is renowned for its white wines – so it’s your turn to sample them for yourself!
Adelaide, Australia
Adelaide is known as the wine capital of Australia, and with good reason! Some of the country’s biggest wine regions are just a short trip away, such as Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula. Many wine tours will take you around the McLaren Vale wine region taking you around all the wineries in the area. Stop off and get lunch at one of the wine restaurants for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Monterey County, United States
Monterey’s wine county is in Southern California and is the home to the largest premium grape producers in the region. Situated less than an hour from Silicon Valley, the landscapes are strikingly different and the wine is divine! They have plenty of wine bars to choose from, and there are even lessons in custom blending and label personalization. You’ll soon become an expert!
La Rioja, Spain
Rioja’s wine tourism is growing thanks to its incredible red wines. Hundreds of wineries produce these wines, and there is the perfect balance of traditional and modern styles. There are possibilities to take private tours or self-guided tours if you want to discover everything at your own pace. Self-guided tours allow you to enjoy the local gastronomy and culture without tour guides. You can even turn your hand to making your own wines! Alternatively, private tours allow you to see several wineries in one day or a half-day and enjoy wine-tasting sessions.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is increasingly becoming a hot tourist destination for its idyllic settings, but it’s becoming just as well known for its wine tourism. Why not get the best of both? You can enjoy Santorini’s wines with just as incredible views during a wine tour.
Enjoy a tour at sunset with atmospheric views by visiting 3 traditional vineyards that are near a volcano for a dramatic setting! Taste the delicious wines at sunset for an experience you’ll never forget!
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza is the wine region of Argentina! It’s the heart of the country’s wine-making industry and it has gained notoriety for its incredible wines. In fact, it accounts for two-thirds of the country’s wine production! The vineyards are at high altitudes, some reaching 36,000 feet above sea level. The region produces a variety of red and white wines, there will be something for everyone during your wine-tasting sessions!
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