Love to travel? Love wine? Why not combine the two passions by travelling to one of these famous wine regions? You can take tours of local wineries and learn all about how your favourite wines are made (and hopefully taste a few!). This guide lists just 10 destinations from around the world to consider.
Champagne, France
Picking just one wine destination from France is no easy task. Bordeaux, the Loire Valley, Alsace, Provence, the Rhone Valley and Burgundy are just some of the other world-famous wine regions. However, Champagne is home to arguably the most iconic form of wine on Earth.
In order for a sparkling wine to be called Champagne, it has to come from the Champagne region – and you can learn why that is by taking tours of one of the many big name Champagne houses. Many of these houses have more to see than just wine including the deep hand-dug chalk tunnels of Ruinart and the impressive art nouveau interior of Perrier Jouet. Make sure to also visit the quaint village of Hautvillers where the tomb of Dom Perignon can be found in St-Sindulphe Church.
Tuscany, Italy
Italy is also home to its fair share of famous vino regions. Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Puglia are all other notable examples. But Tuscany is where you’ll find some of the most varied and interesting wine tasting experiences.
This region has a rich history of winemaking that predates the Roman Empire. Over the years, locations such as Chianti and Montepulciano have become Meccas for wine lovers. If you enjoy hiking, a hiking tour of this region could be one of the best Italy tours you can opt for. And of course there’s plenty of art and history to explore on the side from the Statue of David in Florence to the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Rioja, Spain
La Rioja is a major wine-producing province in Northern Spain. Its famous wineries (known as bodegas) attract many tourists to the region.
But its wineries aren’t the only wine-themed attractions here. Rioja is also home to one of the greatest wine museums in the world, The Vivanco Museum of Wine Culture. The Batalla del Vino is also hosted here every June in which thousands of locals throw and shoot wine at each other from water guns.
Napa County, USA
When it comes to American wine destinations, Napa County in California is undoubtedly the most well-known – specifically the 30 mile long Napa Valley.
Wine tours can be taken across this county that can allow you to visit multiple wineries and taste some of the best wines from the area. One popular attraction that you may want to book in advance is the Napa Valley Wine Train, where you can enjoy wine and gourmet dining from a vintage railcar. Other attractions in the area worth visiting include the hot springs at Calistoga and public market at Oxbow. Oh, and San Francisco is a stone’s throw away!
Mendoza, Argentina
Out of all of Argentina’s wine regions, Mendoza is probably the most revered. It is known particularly for its Malbecs, which you can taste at many of the bodegas.
Beyond wine tasting, Mendoza offers many other attractions including horseback tours through the scenic vineyards, and thrillseeker activities like white water rafting. The city of Mendoza is also worth exploring for its art deco avenues and impressive Plaza Independencia fountain.
Colchagua Valley, Chile
Chile also has no shortage of notable wine regions. Along with the Maipo Valley and Casablanca Valley, it is home to Colchagua Valley where some of the finest Merlot and Syrah wines are produced.
Wine tours of all of these regions can be booked from Chile’s capital Santiago. In fact, Santiago is the perfect base for all kinds of activities – a 2 hour drive west will take you to some of the country’s most stunning beaches, while you’ll find mountain ski resorts half an hour’s drive to the east.
Barossa Valley, Australia
Where is Australia’s best wine region? Is it Hunter Valley? Is it Margaret River? They’re good choices. However, most wine lovers would agree that Barossa Valley takes the crown.
This region is known for its distinct shiraz wines. You can try tastings at many of the region’s wineries. Coach tours can allow you to take in the dramatic scenery including Eden Valley and the Adelaide Hills (or you can take a hot air balloon and view them from above). Adelaide is the nearest city and a good place to base yourself when exploring this wine region.
Marlborough, New Zealand
Some of the best Sauvingon Blanc in the world comes from Marlborough in New Zealand. A wine crawl in this region could allow you to explore some of the top wineries and enjoy tastings.
Beyond winemaking, Marlborough has many other attractions that make it a popular destination in New Zealand. It’s a hotspot for hikers – particularly its 70km Queen Charlotte Walking Track around the scenic winding coast. Whale watching and dolphin swims are also popular activities in the region.
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Stellenbosch is a university town in South Africa that also happens to be surrounded by some of the top wineries in the country. Fans of Cabernet Sauvignon will particularly enjoy visiting this area – Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon is some of the most prized in the world.
You can reach Stellenbosch by travelling 50km east of Cape Town. Because of this, wine tours of Stellenbosch are often combined with trips to Cape Town, where you’ll find many great hotels and plenty of other attractions.
Ningxia, China
Ningxia is sometimes referred to as the Bordeaux of China. It’s the country’s most popular wine tasting destination and you’ll find over 200 wineries here.
Wine tours can be combined with trips to famous Western Xia Mausoleums in the area. A good place to base this tour from is Yingchuan, which is the bustling capital of the region. Alternatively, there are many towns and villages in the area where you can enjoy a more rural escape.
