Explore the Top 8 Wine Destinations Around the World
Alyssa Loxart, our guest blogger, is a writer who helps digital nomads and solo female travelers take the road less traveled.
To view her blog, head over to alyssaloxart.com.
If you’re a wine and travel lover, there are several destinations for you to find unique travel experiences while tasting the wines of passionate winemakers all over the world… but where do you begin? We’re here to help.
We’ve compiled a list of the Top 8 Wine Destinations You Don’t Want to Miss to help you discover where your tastes will take you next.
Tuscany, Italy
If you dream of sipping wine amid gentle rolling hills, vineyards, olive groves and cypress alleys, Tuscany is waiting for you. Tuscany is located in the center of Italy, and stretches along the Ligurian coast. It is known as one of the most famous wine regions in the world, and has the perfect climate to produce excellent wines. It’s here that you’ll find Vernaccia wine, Chianti, and Brunello Montalcino, among others.
Wine Subregions in Tuscany
Montalcino
Val d’Orcia
Bolgheri
Greve in Chianti
San Gimignano
Bordeaux, France
Not only has Bordeaux dedicated an entire museum to wine (La Cite du Vin), but it’s also home to nearly 8,000 wine chateaux among the 200 miles of uncrowded coastline, historic villages, medieval cities, archeological sites and ancient Roman churches. Bordeaux is best known for its red blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It’s also the largest wine producing region in France, and is a great destination if you’re looking for private experiences away from crowds in Paris during the time of COVID. If you’re looking to go beyond the glass and vineyard, booking a river cruise is also something to consider!
Wine Subregions in Bordeaux
The Left Bank:
Barsac, Graves, Pessac-Léognan, Médoc (including Haut-Médoc), Margaux, St. Julien, Pauillac, Cérons
The Right Bank:
Blaye, Côtes-de-Bourg, Fronsac, Pomerol, Saint Émilion
Entre-Deux-Mers:
Bordeaux-Haut-Benauge, Côtes-de-Bordeaux-Saint-Macaire, Sainte-Crois-du-Mont, Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux
Burgundy, France
In Burgundy (or Bourgogne in French), wineries are typically a bit smaller than they are in Bordeaux. But filled with charming medieval villages and castles, you’ll find a lot of unique character in Burgundy as well as some of the most aromatic and high quality wines in the world. Burgundy’s Côte de Nuites and Côte de Veaune vineyards have also recently been designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO because of their cultural significance in wine production. While you’re here, don’t forget to taste the famous Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that is made in the region.
Wine Subregions in Burgundy
Chablis Subregion
Côte de Beaune
Côte Chalonnaise
Mâconnais
Santiago, Chile
Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the snow-capped Andes, the Atacama Desert and the polar Patagonia, Chile is not only home to a variety of extraordinary landscapes but also some of the world’s oldest wines. It’s the 5th largest exporter of wine in the world, and its bodegas and viñas have dotted Chile’s valleys since the mid-16th century when the Spanish first established its vineyards. Due to the variety in landscapes surrounding the country, you’ll find a number of incredible wines to try including Carménère (made from Chile’s signature grape). Don’t forget to try pisco while you’re there — a high-proof spirit made by distilling fermented grape juice.
Wine Subregions Near Santiago
Colchagua Valley
Maipo Valley
Casablanca Valley
San Antonio Valley
Aconcagua Valley
Cachapoal Valley
Douro Valley, Portugal
Many wine lovers head for the city by the sea in order to taste Portugal's famous port wine, which is a fortified wine made with Portuguese indigenous grapes grown in the Douro Valley. The Douro Valley is a winding, terraced region about an hour away from Porto. Here, you can visit quintas (wine estates, as they're called in Portugal), and taste the full-bodied, sweet red wines with notes of berries, caramel, cinnamon and chocolate. Port wine has an alcohol content of 19-20% and is served in a smaller-than-usual wine glass (3oz servings).
Wine Subregions in Douro Valley
Baixo Corgo
Cima Corgo
Douro Superior
Cape Town, South Africa
About an hour outside of Cape Town you’ll find breathtaking views of stretching mountain backdrops and the picturesque vineyards that make up South Africa’s winelands. There are hundreds of wine farms in and around Cape Town, where they have been making wine for centuries. We suggest hopping on the wine tram which is a hop-on hop-off tour that transports passengers between wine estates in Franschhoek Valley, where you’ll find South Africa’s gourmet food and wine capital.
Wine Subregions Near Cape Town
Franschhoek
Paarl
Constantia
Stellenbosch
Durbanville
La Rioja, Spain
With its olive oil trees, purple lavender stretched across the beautiful countryside, and historic towns that date back to medieval times, the wine capital of La Rioja is one of Spain’s best kept secrets. This wine region has a long tradition of wine production since Roman times and you can find the ancient sites of Roman wineries that still exist in the area. It is best known for it’s bright and full-bodied red wines, although you’ll taste a few fantastic whites here as well.
Wine Subregions in La Rioja
Rioja Alavesa
Rioja Alta
Rioja Oriental
Napa Valley, California
No wine destination guide would be complete without mentioning the lush and mesmerizing Napa Valley with nearly 500 wineries and grandois estates that look like they’ve been transported from Europe. It is hands down the most famous of the American wine regions, and has something for every wine lover. You can take a tour on the Napa Valley Wine Train, which offers a unique overview of the area’s wineries and a 36-mile round-trip to St. Helena and back with a luxurious vintage setting.
Wine Subregions in Napa Valley
Napa
American Canyon
Calistoga
St. Helena
Yountville
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide on the Top 8 Wine Destinations You Don’t Want to Miss. Let us know in the comments which destination is your favorite. And as always, send us an email or give us a call if you need help planning your perfect wine adventure.