Destination Wineries: Where to Experience Wine Country Around the Globe

The classic Bordeaux wine tasting experience is upgraded at Chateau Soutard in Saint-Emilion. Options for tailoring a visit are plentiful, including “Winemaker for a Day” classes (with hands-on experience in the vines and winery), a cooking school with wines paired to the day’s menu, and a UNESCO heritage tour, focused on the architectural history of both Chateau Soutard and the town of Saint-Emilion. Outdoor picnics in the heart of the estate can also be arranged. While parents are sipping and swirling, organized kids’ activities including “Young Mapmaker” explorations will keep the little ones entertained. Lieu dit Soutard, 33330 Saint-Émilion, France; 33-5/57-24-71-41; chateau-soutard.com.

In the charming walled town of Beaune, Maison Joseph Drouhin has extensive underground cellars, notable not only for their local historical significance but for containing remnants from ancient Rome that date back more than 2,000 years, too. The winery also has limited capacity events—from workshops to wine dinners—that are open to the public (one upcoming event is a five-course tasting menu with paired wines from the reserve cellar, in celebration of the 156th annual Hospices de Beaune auction). All tasting visits are by appointment only and personally tailored to each group; request anything from vertical tastings to tastings of older vintages. 7 rue d’Enfer, 21200 Beaune, France; 33-3/80-24-68-88; drouhin.com.

Since the 1850s the Pommery Estate has maintained its reputation for two things: exceptional Champagne and a devotion to the arts. Like other classic Champagne houses in Reims, Domain Pommery offers visitors insight into the process behind the creation of its sparkling wine, but this winery is also a destination for contemporary art in a unique setting. More than ten miles of tunnels are carved into chalk quarries under Domain Pommery and these cellars provide a moody exhibition space for the work of rotating artists. 5 Place du Général Gouraud, 51100 Reims, France; 33-3/26-61-62-63; vrankenpommery.com.

In the shadows of the iconic Montserrat mountains, the Oller del Mas estate is home to a tenth-century castle and certified organic vineyards. Visitors can customize their wine tastings, adding on olive oil tastings (cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil from four varietals of olives is made onsite) and Mediterranean-inspired meals with organic vegetables grown in the estate’s garden. There is also a variety of entertainment for kids and adults, including an 18-hole golf course and an outdoor swimming pool. Special harvest dinners are held in September. Carretera de Igualada C37Z, km 91, 08241 Manresa, Barcelona, Spain; 34-9/3876-8315; ollerdelmas.com.

After almost a decade of renovations, the Ygay Estate vineyards of Marques de Murrieta are once again welcoming visitors. Refreshed and refined, this estate now offers personalized tasting classes and paired meals that play with how the wines interact with food. (Ask to taste the red wine that was served recently at a tribute dinner to Michelle Obama at the U.S. Embassy in Spain.) A private collection of historical objects—from photographs to wine bottles dating back to the 1850s—is also on display. Carretera N232 / LO-20 Logroño-Zaragoza (Salida 0) 26006 – Logroño, La Rioja, Spain; 34-9/4127-1374; marquesdemurrieta.com.

The best Michele Chiarlo experience isn’t at the winery at all, but at their luxury boutique hotel called Palas Cerequio. At this exclusive location, guests can request a vertical tasting of five vintages of Barolo Cerequio, overlooking the very vineyard where the grapes were grown. During the October and November white truffle season, wine tastings can be elevated further with a special extra: a private truffle hunt with guide and translator. Customized cooking classes (focused on white truffles, handmade pasta, or regional specialties) with wine pairings can also be arranged. Borgata Cerequio, 12064 La Morra CN, Italy; 39/0173-50657; palascerequio.it.

A visit to the Ferrari Estate is a multifaceted experience that includes visiting the winery where millions of bottles are ageing, exploring the 16th-century Villa Margon with its priceless works of art, and dining at the Michelin-rated restaurant Locanda Margon. Tours can be tailored to your interests, from history and frescoes to pairing food and wine. A visit to the winery also includes an exploration of Ferrari’s links with cinema and television, including a gallery of photographs showcasing classic film stars. Cantine Ferrari, Via Ponte de Ravina 15, Trento, Italy; 39-0461/972-416; ferraritrento.it.

Travel to the source and you can purchase exclusive old releases at Kopke, the oldest Port wine house in Portugal, dating back to 1638. The three-story, riverside building is a scenic space for tasting a wide range of Port. In addition to comparing the fortified wines, visitors can experiment with different combinations of Port and artisan chocolates. This may be a surprising place for olive oil tastings, but these are available to in-the-know visitors as well. 4430 999, Av. De Diogo Leite 312, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; 351-915/848-484; sogevinus.com.

Peacocks roam the gardens of this lush estate where visits are not rushed affairs but leisurely excursions with time allotted for wandering the grounds. This winery offers exposure to the winemaking process, beginning with tours of the estate vineyards on foot or by tractor. After exploring the gardens, lunch with wine pairings is served on a shaded terrace; picnics in the vines can also be arranged. The property dates back to the 1600s and has a particular attraction to keep kids entertained: adorable pygmy goats. Rua da Aveleda 2, 4560-570 Penafiel, Portugal; 351-255/718-200; aveledaportugal.pt.

This exclusive winery offers private tours and tastings in the peaceful environment of a farmhouse built in 1910 (by appointment only). Located 1,800 feet above the valley floor, Silver Cloud is an intimate setting for bespoke tastings and family-style lunches featuring produce from the Stone Edge certified organic farm. The destination-worthy fare often includes seasonal dishes prepared by culinary director John McReynolds (and featured in the award-winning Stone Edge Farm Cookbook). 5700 Cavedale Rd., Glen Ellen, California; 707-935-6520; stoneedgefarm.com.

Exceptional culinary experiences set the sustainable, organic Long Meadow Ranch apart from other Napa wineries. At the Chef’s Table, wines are paired with a meal built on the farm’s organic produce, grass-fed beef and lamb, honey, and extra virgin olive oils (olive oil tastings can also be arranged). The “Live Fire Guest Chef Series” showcases acclaimed chefs from around the country who travel here to roast a family-style meal over open flames. Friday might be one of the best days of the week to plan a visit; Morning Glow Yoga classes are on offer to start the day. 738 Main St., St. Helena, California; 707-963-4555; longmeadowranch.com.

The sleek and contemporary Maison Estate in South Africa showcases a keen eye for design, both in its minimal tasting room and in the artistic food presentations of the Kitchen restaurant. Food lovers may want to plan a visit around Maison’s monthly “First Friday” events, where a multicourse dinner and creative wine pairings are enhanced by live music and crackling fires. The estate also has a curated shop with charcuterie, cheese, and preserves for impromptu picnics under the property’s centuries old oak trees. R45, Capetown 7690, South Africa; 27-21/876-2116; maisonestate.co.za.

Vasse Felix Estate has a cozy wine lounge, sleek restaurant, and contemporary art gallery but it’s really the curated tours that make this winery a Margaret River destination. The Cape to Vine Tour is an all-day immersive experience, beginning with a morning walking tour along the scenic coastline of the Margaret River cape. This private tour continues with an insider’s lesson in estate winemaking followed by an in-depth wine tasting. A three-course meal with paired wines follows, and guests can select their choice of a Vasse Felix Premier wine to bring home. The day wraps up with an afternoon stroll in the vineyards. Caves Rd. and Tom Cullity Dr., Margaret River WA 6284, Australia; 61-8/9756-5000; vassefelix.com.au.

An unexpected destination has been gaining attention recently for its sparkling wine: England. The Ridgeview Estate is located 40 minutes south of London in the cozy village of Ditchling and offers many options for custom visits, working with local Elizabethan manor houses and Michelin-rated restaurants to design individualized itineraries. Exclusive packages can include the region’s best spas and hotels of character. Monthly “Meet the Winemaker” tours are also available. The Queen has served Ridgeview wines and the estate is the official supplier for events at 10 Downing Street. Fragbarrow Ln., Ditchling Common BN6 8TP, United Kingdom; 44-1444/242-040; ridgeview.co.uk.

The culinary program at Mission Hill Winery is beyond the ordinary. A series of cooking classes called “Dynamics of Food & Wine” has a range of themes, such as traditional Italian and spicy Indian; all classes include five-course meals with paired wines. Private culinary classes on a theme of your choosing can also be arranged. Vertical tastings and a private chef’s table evening (with seven paired courses) are also available. Those with smaller appetites may want to request a wine pairing with artisan cheese and chocolate. 1730 Mission Hill Road, West Kelowna, British Columbia V4T2E4, Canada; 250-768-7611; missionhillwinery.com.

At an elevation of 4,000 feet, Bodegas Salentein occupies a prime position in the Uco Valley with the Andes Mountains in full view. This winery provides a connection with local culture through Killka, an exhibition space with both a permanent collection of contemporary Argentine art and rotating exhibitions. In addition to the notable restaurant and plush tasting room serving limited-edition wines, this winery is home to Posada Salentein, a 16-room boutique hotel set among the vines and organic garden. A heated pool has vineyard views and visitors can explore via horseback or bicycle. Ruta 89 s/n, 5560 Los Arboles, Mendoza Province, Argentina; 54-02622/429-500; bodegasalentein.com.

Comprehensive tours of Loma Larga include two very different perspectives: up close in the vines on horseback and over the vineyards of Casablanca Valley in a 24-minute helicopter flight. Carriage rides and bike tours through the vineyards are also available. Tours of the modern winery can be customized to focus on topics like harvest or winemaking, and the visit wraps up with a guided tasting. Reservations must be made in advance for all visits. Camino Lo Ovalle km 2.8, Casablanca, Región de Valparaíso, Chile; 56-32/274-2098; lomalarga.com.