Top 10 Travel Destinations for Wine Lovers
Updated: Nov 13, 2020
The ultimate travel bucket list for wine lovers. These ten destinations from all over the world should be on the travel bucket list of wine enthusiasts of all experience levels.
*these are in no particular order*
1. The Loire Valley, France
Often referred to as "The Garden of France" for its many many vineyards, the Loire Valley is a wine lover's dream to visit.
Take a river cruise down the Loire River with countless views of vineyards, chateaux and charming villages. Or stay in a French castle while sampling wine and exploring wine caves.
Castles you can stay at in The Loire Valley:
2. Bordeaux, France
Considered France's most prominent wine region, with wine production dating back to when the Romans first settled in the area, it is not only a great travel destination for wine enthusiasts, history buffs, architecture and art lovers also flock to this area of France from all over the world.
Popular wineries and wine related activities in Bordeaux:
Wine taste at Château Cheval Blanc
Stay overnight and wine taste at Château de Pitray
Visit the Museum of Wine in Art at Château Mouton Rothschild
Spend the day at La Cité du Vin
Take a wine tour by bike through the vineyards in St. Emilion
3. Champagne, France
Did you know, all champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is champagne? One of the important rules for sparkling wine to be called "champagne" is that it has to be grown, produced and made in Champagne, France. For any wine enthusiast, sipping champagne in Champagne, France should be at the top of their travel bucket list.
Here are a few of the top wineries (according to Forbes Magazine) you can taste and tour at in the Champagne wine region of France.
4. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany is located in central Italy and is made up of 10 provinces: Florence, Arezzo, Grosseto, Livorno, Lucca, Massa Carrera, Pisa, Prato, and Siena. Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region for wine grapes. The most common local varietals in Tuscany are sangiovese, and cabernet sauvignon.
Popular wineries in Tuscany you can visit:
Castiglion del Bosco (this one has been on my bucket list for years)
5. Piedmont, Italy
Piedmont is considered one of Italy's most acclaimed wine regions. Wine lovers and foodies travel to this north-western region of Italy from all over the world. When you google "wine tasting in Italy" and you see tons of photos of rolling hills with vineyards and old stone villas, these photos are most likely going to be of Piedmont.
Popular activities for wine enthusiasts and food lovers in Piedmont, Italy:
Hunt for truffles or attend the Alba Truffle Festival in November
Attend the Chocolate Festival in Turin in November
Visit the town of Borolo and wine taste at Marchesi di Barolo
Take a tour of the Wine Museum of Barolo
6. La Rioja, Spain
Spain's smallest province, La Rioja is renowned for its wine. Tempranillo and Cava are among the most common grape varietals grown here. The La Rioja wine region is located in the northern central part of Spain and is best experienced in the fall.
Some popular wine tours in La Rioja, Spain:
7. Stellenbosch, South Africa
Located in the Western Cape of South Africa, Stellenbosch is a popular university town surrounded by vineyards and loaded with cute restaurants, cafes and shopping. Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular varietal planted in Stellenbosch, as well as Merlot to then produce Bordeaux Blends.
Most popular wineries in Stellenbosch, South Africa:
Warwick Wine Estate (pictured below)
8. Hunter Valley, Australia
There are over 60 wine regions in Australia and the Hunter Valley (located just north of Sydney) is one of the more well known regions. The Hunter Valley wine region is incredibly diverse with large world-renowned brands, as well as small family-run, boutique wineries. There are over 150 wineries and it is believed to be Australia's oldest wine region.
Popular wineries you can tour in the Hunter Valley
Harkham Wines (you can stay here too)
9. Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza, Argentina accounts for two thirds of the country's wine production and exportation. It is located in the eastern part of the country and it gradually becoming more popular among travel and wine enthusiast because of its proximity to other well known attractions like large mountain ranges. glaciers, volcanos and waterfalls.
Some wine related activities for travelers in Mendoza:
Winery hop with Mendoza Hop-on Hop-off Wine Tour
Take a ride with the Mendoza Wine Bike Tour
Have a meal at Azafran Resto
Book a luxury stay at the Cavas Wine Lodge
10. Napa Valley and Sonoma County, California
Located in the northern part of the state, Napa and Sonoma are two neighboring wine regions in California with so much to offer. Large production wineries, boutique wineries, restaurants, shopping, luxury hotels, glamping, outdoor activities; this wine region is a traveler's paradise.
Some popular wineries in California:
Related blog articles to California's wine country:
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