These 17 Idyllic Wineries Have Some of the Best Vino and Views in the World

The classic Bordeaux wine tasting experience is upgraded at Château Soutard in Saint-Emilion. Options for tailoring a visit are plentiful, including hands-on classes (starting from the vines and working through the wine-making process), or a heritage tour focused on the architectural history of both Château Soutard and the town of Saint-Emilion. Outdoor picnics in the heart of the estate can also be arranged. 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. All tasting visits are by appointment only and can be private and personally tailored to each group; request anything from vertical tastings to tastings of coveted, reserve 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, Domaine 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 10 miles of tunnels are carved into chalk quarries under Domaine 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; champagnepommery.com.

In the shadows of the iconic Montserrat mountains, the Oller del Mas estate is home to a 10th-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 on-site) 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.

Refreshed and refined, Ygay Estate of Marques de Murrieta 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 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 horizontal or 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, the hotel will also arrange a private truffle hunt with a guide and translator. Borgata Cerequio, 12064 La Morra CN, Italy; 39/0173-50657; palascerequio.com.

A visit to the Ferrari Estate is a multifaceted experience that includes visiting the winery where millions of bottles are aging, exploring the 16th-century Villa Margon with its priceless works of art, and dining at the Michelin-starred 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, too, occasionally available to in-the-know visitors. 4430 999, Av. De Diogo Leite 312, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; 351-915/848-484; sogevinus.com.

Wildlife 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, and picnics among the vines can also be arranged. 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 Fiorella Butron (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. A number of estates fall under the renowned Long Meadow Ranch umbrella—the most prominent being Mountain Estate, also known as Mayacamas Estate, and Anderson Valley Estate. At Farmstead Restaurant, 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). There is also delectable cuisine at the Garden Lounge & Cafe, a full-fledged farmer’s market at Long Meadow Ranch, and a slew of seasonal activities, from pumpkin carving to Valentine’s Day dinners to Kentucky Derby celebrations. Multiple locations in greater Napa Valley; 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 at the on-site restaurant, Chefs Warehouse at Maison. Those looking to spend a few days in the idyllic South African wine country of Franschhoek can even stay at Maison Estate in ultra-mod farmhouses, where you can rent a room or an entire house. 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. 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.

Mission Hill Family Estate Winery is as much a culinary experience as it is a renowned wine experience. The estate offers private tastings of Mission Hill’s reserve vintages, pairings with a three-course seasonal meal, and numerous other Okanagan Valley-centric indulgences. You can also enjoy a number of private wine-and-food events, like their interactive culinary dinners in their Culinary Theatre, culminating in a multicourse meal with extravagant wine pairings. 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.