Top 10 Travel Destinations for Wine Lovers

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:

• Le Relais de Chambord

• Chateau de Pray

• Chateau de la Bourdaisiere

---

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.

• Veuve Clicquot

• Laurent-Perrier

• Billecart Salmon

---

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:

• Castello di Ama

• Castiglion del Bosco (this one has been on my bucket list for years)

• Ruffino

• Castellari di Castellina

---

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:

• Rioja Like a Native Wine Tour

• Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa Wine Tour

• Full-Day Private Cultural and Gastronomic Adventure in Rioja

---

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:

• Waterford Estate

• Jordan Wine Estate

• 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

• Brokenwood Wines

• Audrey Wilkinson

• Harkham Wines (you can stay here too)

• Pepper Tree Wines

---

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:

• A Rafanelli Winery (pictured here)

• Jordan Winery

• Gloria Ferrer

• Far Niente

• Caymus Vineyards

Related blog articles to California's wine country:

• Top 10 Wineries in Sonoma County with Beautiful Outdoor Spaces

• Things to do in Wine Country Besides Wine Tasting

• A Napa Valley Birthday Getaway

---

PIN FOR LATER