Recently updated on March 18th, 2025 at 05:10 am
Whether you’re keen to unwind between the vines or thirsty for unique outdoor adventures, a holiday in wine country pours the perfect blend of indulgence and discovery. So, we’ve rounded up the world’s best wine regions throughout the Americas, South Africa, Europe and beyond, where stellar cellars, iconic attractions and standout accommodations serve feelgood experiences on tap.
Mendoza, Argentina
Backed by the picturesque Andes Mountains and just a short domestic flight from Buenos Aires, the Mendoza wine region is renowned for its exceptional high-altitude terroirs, boasting more than 150,000 hectares of vineyards and some 1,200 wineries (locally known as bodegas). It’s best known for its bold malbecs, although its crisp torrontés, tempranillos, cabernet sauvignons, bonardas, criolla grandes, cerezas, and chardonnays are also top quaffs.
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With its Adrianna Vineyard located some 1,500m feet above sea level, Catena Zapata is celebrated for its groundbreaking efforts to revive malbec, particularly with its award-winning Mundus Bacillus Terrae Malbec, Fortuna Terrae Malbec and River Malbec. Ruca Malen is a certified organic contemporary winery headed up by the innovative Agustina Hanna, while Trapiche, Salentein and the family-owned Clos De Chacras are also must-sees.
Deepen your immersion with a stay at a local winery. Club Tapiz was first built in 1890 and is surrounded by vineyards, where you can taste sparkling wines produced under the champagne method. At the Andeluna Winery Lodge, there’s hands-on blending workshops, laidback-luxe suites, and paddock-to-plate fare curated by gastronomy powerhouse, executive chef Juan Pablo Miguez. Cavas Wine Lodge offers luxe villas nestled in a 22-hectare vineyard, while the plush Casa De Uco has jaw-dropping views, award-winning wines, cooking classes, harvest experiences and horse-riding.
Beyond the vines
Mendoza’s city attractions are well worth exploring, with the Museum and Foundation Plaza, the Cathedral, Basilica of San Francisco, Plaza Independencia, Plaza Spain, and the Civic Quarter among the highlights. And keep an eye out for its Michelin-starred eateries and traditional parrillas, where you can sample the local beef paired with the region’s exceptional wines.
Our Authentic Mendoza journey showcases the very best of Argentina’s wine country.
Stellenbosch & Franschhoek, South Africa
The Stellenbosch and Franschhoek areas of South Africa’s Cape Winelands are just outside of Cape Town. They’re surrounded by the rugged coastal wilderness of Africa’s far south, rich in French cultural influences, and historic towns that showcase Cape Dutch architecture. They are best known for their Bordeaux-style blends and cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot, pinotage, chenin blanc, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and semillon.
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With more than 550 wine farms in the Cape Winelands, there’s a wide range of cellar door experiences on offer. Fairview, for example, is at the forefront of sustainability: their award-winning wines bear the Integrity & Sustainability seal to certify their environmentally friendly viticultural practices, and their cheese factory was the first carbon neutral cheesery on the African continent. Head to the cellar door for a tasting of their flagship blended red Cyril Back 2021 and white Beryl Back 2023, and consider combining it with a guided mountain hike, goat-farm visit or cheesery tour. Just west of the Franschhoek Village and on the Wine Tram’s network, Eikehof specialises in six varietals (sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, semillon, merlot, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon) with 23 hectares of vineyards and peach orchards, while 300-year-old Neethlingshof Estate has a range of tasting experiences, along with cheese, chocolate and live music.
Beyond the vines
Being so close to Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula, the outdoor adventures are on tap in this part of the world. Visit Duiker Island for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with Cape Fur Seals; explore the Boulders Beach penguin colony, and discover the city’s attractions, including the Malay Quarter, Company Gardens, the Castle of Good Hope, the Diamond Works and, of course, Table Mountain.
Explore Cape Town’s winelands as part of our Authentic Southern Africa adventure, which also visits Greater Kruger and Chobe National Parks, Victoria Falls, and Duiker Island.
Bordeaux, France
In France’s southwest, the Gironde estuary splits the Bordeaux wine region into two core areas, the Left Bank and Right Bank. Here, 65 different appellations – the Haut-Médoc, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol among the most noteworthy – grow five key red grape varieties, including cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot and malbec. And Bordeaux’s winelands are as prolific as they are picturesque, with more than 7,000 wine chateaux producing some 700 million bottles of premium wine every year.
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Fronsac’s Le Château de La Dauphine was first built in 1750, and today you can tour its award-winning vineyards as well as its innovative permaculture and aquaponic initiatives (by appointment). About an hour’s drive south, Château Guiraud hosts memorable tastings of its signature blends, chocolate-and-wine experiences, and tours to see its organic processes and sustainability projects. Up for something a little different? At Château de Bonhoste, you can spend a comfortable night in a stylishly decked-out giant barrel, while the spa at Les Sources de Caudalie incorporates local grapes in their signature vinotherapy massages.
Beyond the vines
Explore the world’s first interactive wine museum, La Cite du Vin, before immersing in the city and surrounds’ hotlist of highlights. Stretch your legs on Europe’s largest sand dune; feast and repeat at Michelin-starred fine diners, visit the prehistoric Grotte de Pair-non-pair cave, marvel at the Miroir d’Eau, and more.
Napa Valley, USA
With around 400 wineries and 90 urban tasting rooms, and located just two hours from San Francisco, the Napa Valley is the verdant heart of California’s wine country. While more than three dozen grape varieties are grown here, cabernet sauvignon accounts for 40 per cent of the region’s wine production, with chardonnay, merlot, pinot noir, sauvignon blanc and zinfandel also plentiful.
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The valley boasts a host of boutique inns where you can kick back in wine country style, with the Ink House, Francis House and the Poetry Inn among the countless options. Weave through the vines in an exquisitely restored Pullman dining car, enjoying a memorable dinner while the Napa Valley Wine Train journeys between Napa and Rutherford. The train offers a range of moreish experiences, pairing local fare with top drops from premier local vineyards including Chandon, Charles Krug, Tate and Ghost Block.
Beyond the vines
The Napa Valley is just one highlight of California’s great outdoors so it’s worth hitting the road. In fact, Yosemite National Park, Monterey Bay and Lake Tahoe are all less than four hours’ scenic drive away, while all the cultural and natural attractions of San Francisco are an hour’s drive south.
Discover the Napa Valley wine region and beyond on our fully customisable Icons of California self-drive holiday.
Marlborough, New Zealand
Primarily known for its sauvignon blancs, the Marlborough wine region has more than half of New Zealand’s vines and also produces outstanding chardonnays, pinot gris, pinot noirs and bold aromatics. Easily accessed from the cities of Blenheim and Picton, the area’s divided into three subregions – namely the Southern Valleys, Wairau Valley and Awatere Valley – and boasts more than 160 wineries.
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Cloudy Bay headlines Marlborough’s most sought-after wineries, hosting tastings of their legendary pelorus rosé, sauvignon blanc, te koko and founders’ gamay, along with seasonal bites at Jack’s Raw Bar restaurant. Hunter’s Wines’ Blenheim cellar door is a charming place to sample the family-owned brand’s lauded sauv blanc and mirumiru sparkling wines, while Hans Herzog Estate rolls out the welcome mat with tailored tastings, dining experiences and cottage accommodation.
Beyond the vines
Vineyards aside, Marlborough’s natural highlights extend along its 1500km stretch of coastline, with the clear waters of the Queen Charlotte Sound best explored by cruise or kayak. Walking and cycling tracks are also abundant, with the Snout Track, Link Pathway and Mt Fishtail just some of the options delivering epic vistas. For fresh local seafood, excellent galleries and specialty shops, the port town of Picton is well worth visiting.
Casablanca & Maipo, Chile
A short but scenic drive from Santiago, the Casablanca Valley and Maipo wine regions produce Chile’s most iconic drops: the Casablanca is a hub for chardonnay and sauvignon blanc varieties, while Maipo’s known for its bold cabernet sauvignons, merlots, syrahs, and Bordeaux blends.
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In the Casablanca, family-owned boutique winery Casas del Bosque uses sustainable practices to produce their high quality wines (including their La Trampa blend and Gran Bosque Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon), while also offering a Winemaker For A Day experience, helicopter flightseeing, cycling tours, and, of course, tastings. Nearby, Emiliana’s organic vineyards are the largest in Chile, while at Matetic Vineyards you can rest your head in chic cabins or glamp in kitted-out domes.
Meanwhile Maipo’s hitlist is headlined by the Concha y Toro winery – home of Chile’s iconic Don Melchor – where exclusive tastings in the opulent Casa Don Melchor are a highlight. At the Santa Rita estate, the Hotel Casa Real is located in a 40-hectare park designed by leading French landscape gardener Guillaume Renner – the perfect spot to unwind after a day spent exploring the vineyards by bicycle, horse-drawn carriage, and enjoying live music. Other Maipo standouts include Haras De Pirque, Perez Cruz and Almaviva.
Beyond the vines
Don’t miss Valparaiso: this UNESCO World Heritage site’s picturesque hilly terrain, rich cultural heritage, German-style houses, fun funiculars and impressive range of arts, crafts and street art ensure it’s a must-see. And, as both wine regions are close to Santiago, make time explore the city’s highlights, including the National Museum of Natural History, San Cristobal Hill and the La Moneda Place, and the Santiago Central Market.
Our Inside Patagonia By Land includes a delicious immersion in the Casablanca Valley.
Tuscany, Italy
With its sprawling vineyards, photogenic villas, rolling green hills and stately olive groves, Tuscany is rich in viticultural and gastronomical heritage. Easily reached from the region’s capital city of Florence, the area encompasses the Chianti, Montalcino, Bolgheri, and San Gimignano subregions and is legendary for its sangiovese grapes, iconic reds (especially Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano); white varieties like moscato, chardonnay, vermentino, pinot grigio, and vernaccia, and dessert wines such as vin santo.
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With 635 square kilometres of vineyards to explore, you’re spoilt for choice. Get started at Sanlorenzo with a tasting of their current vintage wines, including Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino, paired with delicious snacks. In the heart of Chianti, Azienda Agricola Malenchini offers owner-led tours and tastings of their flagship reds and rosés, as well as Tuscan-style villas if you’d like to stay a while. Nearby, Poggio del Moro Boutique Winery, Tiberini and Camigliano all offer memorable tastings in idyllic surrounds.
Beyond the vines
Tuscany is rich in natural beauty and history, so make the most of it. Head to World Heritage-listed Siena and Volterra for an immersion in the local medieval heritage, and discover the art and soul of the Renaissance in Florence. Prefer more natural wonders? Beachcomb and cruise the Archipelago Toscana National Park; hunt for truffles, and soak up the serenity in thermal springs.
Okanagan Valley, Canada
Home of the Rocky Mountains, the Great Bear Rainforest, vibrant Vancouver, Victoria and beyond, British Columbia is also where you’ll find Canada’s iconic Okanagan Valley wine region, easily accessed from the cities of Kamloops and Kelowna. Characterised by its diverse soils, the terroir here accommodates a wide range of grape varieties, with chardonnay, riesling, merlot, pinot noir, pinot gris, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, headlining local wine lists.
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A cork’s throw from Kamloops in the Thompson Valley, the Monte Creek Winery produces sustainable, certified organic award-winning wines such as their Frontenac Gris and Land Cabernet Franc, and its charming tasting room is open all year round. Closer to Kelowna, Summerhill Pyramid Winery is beloved for its sparkling wines, ice-wines, premium whites and organic rosés, which you can swirl and sip during a tasting tour or as part of a Wine Sabering Experience, (you’ll learn how to open a bottle with a sword). Nearby, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery and Burrowing Owl Guest House both offer outstanding accommodations with stunning views of their vineyards.
Beyond the vines
The bucket-listed Rocky Mountaineer visits Kamloops on its iconic journey from Vancouver to Banff, unfurling spectacular views of Kamloops Lake, Hell’s Gate, the Fraser Canyon and the Thompson River. If you’re staying longer in Kamloops, lace up your hiking boots for the Sun Peaks Resort’s scenic trails, explore the Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park and choose your own adventures on more than 270-plus cycling trails.
Adventure World’s Sip & Savour Canadian Flavours journey serves a feast of culinary experiences.