Discover Wonderful Wine Caves Around the Globe
Descending deep into the earth, wine caves provide ideal conditions for aging wine. The earthly entombment maintains a consistently cold and humid temperature, shielding the aging process from any above-ground disturbances.
From a winery in Napa Valley that has become a pioneer in gravity-flow winemaking to one in Mexico that integrates sustainable materials throughout its design, exploring these enchanting caves offers a truly unique way to experience the influence of terroir – the unique characteristics a region’s environment imparts on the flavor of wine – deep underground.
Vena Cava Winery – Mexico
Driving up the dusty dirt road to this winery in the heart of Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe, you might at first think that you’ve ventured onto the Playa at Burning Man. However, rest assured, you’ve arrived at Vena Cava Winery. The owners showcase their passion for sustainability with a cave built from reclaimed fishing boats and other recycled materials.
After enjoying natural wines from their menu, take a stroll outside and savor a taco or tostada from Troika, the resident food truck. Then settle at a table and sip a glass of wine while watching ducks frolic in the nearby pond.
SpéléOenologie – France
Aptly described as a “hands-on” wine tasting experience, SpéléOenologie offers a spelunking adventure in France’s Rhone Valley. Taking advantage of the dark and humid cave conditions, winemakers leave each bottle underground for two years.
Don a jumpsuit and descend over 300ft into the Saint-Marcel d’Ardèche cave alongside a knowledgeable winemaker. While tasting his wine in complete darkness, you’ll gain insights into his process. Depending on your adventurous spirit, choose to hike or zipline as part of your tour.
Palmaz Vineyards – California
With a rich history of over 140 years of winemaking, Palmaz Vineyards in Napa Valley’s Coombsville area blends innovative winemaking techniques with tradition to create stellar wines. Upon arrival at this sprawling 600-acre property, you’ll meet your own ambassador, who will guide you through the evolution of the grape from vineyard to bottle. This tour emphasizes gravity-flow winemaking, showcasing a maze of domes and tunnels carved into the rock, spanning nearly 100,000 sq ft. Palmaz was designed with three core principles in mind: terroir isolation, gravity-flow, and net-zero water consumption, earning it the designation of one of the world’s most technologically advanced wineries.
Mileștii Mici – Moldova
Wedged between Ukraine and Romania, the country of Moldova features an unexpected wine wonderland called Mileștii Mici. Originally a limestone mine, this winery was transformed in 1969.
This is not your usual wine tour—hop in your car and follow your guide through more than 200ft of underground cellar tunnels turned into makeshift streets, each named after wines for easier navigation. This winery also holds the world’s largest verified wine collection, boasting over two million bottles, as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Pine Ridge Vineyards – California
Among the rolling hills and rocky slopes of Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District lies Pine Ridge Vineyards, established in 1978. Due to its location on a knoll, it became possible to excavate extensive caves, among the largest in Napa Valley. Most tasting experiences occur in the Cellar 47 lounge, located within an almost 38,000 sq ft cave.
Depending on your stamina, choose either a brief or more comprehensive cave tour, complemented by a tasting of estate wines. Don’t miss the chance to sample FORTIS, their flagship wine.
Champagne Taittinger – France
Champagne Taittinger’s Gallo-Roman chalk mines from the 4th century and the 13th century Saint-Nicaise Abbey are UNESCO World Heritage sites, and they feature remarkable history. Saint-Nicaise is notable as the patron saint of wine, and Benedictine monks of this Abbey in Reims, France, used to store their bottles underground.
Descend a spiral staircase to explore the cave, discovering crypts and vaults that remain well-preserved. Throughout the tunnels, the remains of the Abbey, which was destroyed during the French Revolution, are visible. Additionally, the caves served as bomb shelters during World War I.
Archery Summit Winery – Oregon
Located in the Dundee Hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Archery Summit Winery was founded by Gary Andrus in the 1990s. He envisioned a Burgundian-style winery, perfectly complemented by the caves. The winery includes Oregon’s only cave system built directly into bedrock and features a cutting-edge 100% gravity-flow winery.
Gather your friends for a wine tasting in one of the caves, where you’ll get the opportunity to sample library wines alongside current vintages. For a truly special experience, consider the Estate Tasting, which includes an exclusive tasting inside the cave.
