Wine-touring is so much more than tastings in a vineyard: it gives you a personal introduction to a flavor by knowledgeable winemakers in the place it was created.
Maybe you’ve enjoyed some Pinot Noir in France’s Burgundy or sunk some Chardonnay in Australia’s Yarra Valley or California’s Sonoma, but there are lesser-known vineyards, some centuries old, producing incredible wines that should also be on your radar. From the Fetească varieties grown in Drăgăşani, Romania, to the family-owned vineyards of Empordà, Spain, plan your trip to visit these special producers with iBestTravel.
Here are a few of the most intriguing regions that show why tasting wine in the place it was made can be a revelation.
1. Mendoza, Argentina
Chances are you’ve noticed that right now Argentina is hot on the international wine scene. You can’t glance at a wine list without seeing the word “Malbec” or turn on the radio without hearing a chef talk about the best-value Argentinian bottles for your summer barbecue. Even Argentinian people didn’t realize how fantastic their wine could be until relatively recently, though it’s safe to say they were always fully aware of the natural beauty of Mendoza.
The nation’s wine-producing capital occupies a spectacular stretch of sun-drenched landscape at the foot of the snowcapped Andes. It’s a South American playground for innovation, the meeting point between tradition and new technology. Raise your glass: here in Mendoza, it’s a brave new world.
Planning tip: Mendoza El Plumerillo is the nearest major airport, 8km (5 miles) from Mendoza.
2. Central Otago, New Zealand
Central Otago, famed for sublime alpine scenery and the energetic resort town of Queenstown, is also the setting for some world-class winemaking. The region’s wild landscapes make up the world’s southernmost wine region through the deep valleys and basins of six subregions – Gibbston, Bannockburn, Cromwell Basin, Wanaka, Bendigo, and Alexandra.
The few vines planted back in 1864 were an early forerunner of an industry that has burgeoned since the mid-1990s. The scene remains largely in the hands of friendly boutique enterprises, with winemakers experimenting with a terroir not yet fully understood.
The local soils have proved excellent for Pinot Noir, and Central Otago is lauded as one of the best places outside Burgundy for cultivating this notoriously fickle grape. It would take a good two days’ touring to get a comprehensive taste of the place, with around 30 wineries regularly open to visitors, and many more by appointment.
Planning tip: Visitors short on time could focus on the Gibbston Valley, where cycle touring is available.
3. Wellington, Swartland and Tulbagh, South Africa
Cape winemaking has long been symbolized by the grand old established estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Constantia, where the first vines were planted on the African continent as far back as 1659. However, today there are many regions farther afield in the Cape that offer a refreshing alternative for sheer variety. These smaller family-run wineries, offering a friendly welcome, can be found in the adjoining regions of Wellington, Swartland, and Tulbagh.
Winery tastings here may well mean a face-to-face encounter with the winemaker. Swartland, especially, is home to a band of cutting-edge vintners with small, manageable estates, many of whom are experimenting with biodynamic production. Vineyard owners here are some of the most progressive in the Cape, with the Black workforce genuinely having a voice in the running of an estate.
Planning tip: Cape Town is the nearest major airport, 70km (43 miles) from Wellington.
4. Adelaide Hills, South Australia
South Australia boasts 18 distinct wine-growing regions and was recently bestowed the honor of being one of the world’s 11 Great Wine Capitals. A mere half-hour drive from the state’s bohemian capital Adelaide, you’ll be in the heart of the gorgeous Adelaide Hills. This undulating patch of South Australia was adopted by Germans and Lutherans fleeing persecution, and there’s a certain European feel to the region, with its winding roads and quaint towns.
Arguably one of Australia’s best cool-climate wine regions, this is a young wine region that’s home to over 60 wineries — many of which are upcoming small-scale producers. One of the region’s big attractions is Shaw & Smith, whose buttery Chardonnay is world-renowned.
Planning tip: Although the region may be close to the city, it’s best explored by renting a car. The Adelaide airport is the closest entry point to the region.
5. Kakheti, Georgia
The Georgian wine experience is like no other. An 8000-year-old clay wine jar unearthed here in 2017 is the oldest-known relic of winemaking. By the time the ancient Greeks were stomping their first grapes, the Georgians had been at it for millennia. Traditional winemaking technology has changed surprisingly little since antiquity, with grapes still harvested by hand and foot-pressed in the hollowed-out trunks of ancient trees.
Kakheti is the most important Georgian wine region. The small city of Sighnaghi is Kakheti’s cultural capital and it’s a popular place to base yourself with wineries lining its cobblestoned streets. Remember that Kakheti’s greatest wines tend not to be found openly, but in villagers’ backyards, buried underground, awaiting release.
Planning tip: Kakheti is two hours’ drive east of Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi.
6. Okanagan Valley, Canada
Mountains, snow, endless forests, and piercing turquoise lakes far remove the scenery from what is typically associated with winegrowing, yet that is what you’ll find in Canada’s Okanagan Valley. Despite the icy winters, a vast array of grape varieties succeed here, largely thanks to the hot summers. Moreover, short growing seasons are compensated for by long sunlight hours, so grapes have no problem reaching maturity.
The wine industry here is young but growing fast; in 1984 there were 13 wineries in BC; today there are over 180 in the Okanagan alone. This means fewer rules regarding planting and wine styles, resulting in more fun for wine fans.
Planning tip: Flights from Vancouver to Kelowna or Penticton take less than an hour.
7. South Downs, England
English wine was long a source of laughter, not least among the French, for being too thin or overly sweet. However, in the last 20 years, the South Downs region has provided some excellent sparkling wines. England’s wineries are spread out over considerable distances, from Kent to Gloucestershire. A handful of vineyards in tranquil Hampshire and neighboring West Sussex offer an enjoyable wine exploration and reveal the region’s other attractions.
Planning tip: Southampton and London Gatwick are the closest airports, but the region is only an hour from London by train.
8. Drăgăşani, Romania
Romania is Europe’s fifth-biggest wine producer and makes more wine than New Zealand, yet it is not as well-known. This area has been renowned for wine production since the 16th century, home to some of Romania’s innovative small family wineries. Visitors will discover familiar grapes such as Merlot and Pinot Noir, alongside intriguing local varieties like Fetească and Crâmpoşie Selecţionată.
Planning tip: The nearest airport is 70km (43 miles) from Drăgăşani at Craiova. Bucharest has more flights but is a 2.5–3hr drive away.
9. Empordà, Spain
Revolving around the fantastic city of Girona in northeast Spain is the up-and-coming wine region of Empordà. This region’s wine doesn’t receive the attention of Spain’s superstar areas like Priorat or Rioja. However, it has a fascinating history and a wide range of family-owned wineries to discover, from boutique to blockbuster. Take a sensory journey through the barrel room at the Mas Llunes winery in Garriguella or visit Cadaquès, where thirsty sheep are used instead of tractors for an eco-friendly approach.
Planning tip: A car is needed to reach the wineries in the foothills of the Pyrenees and get to the coast near Pals. Both Barcelona and Girona have international airports, and it’s a fast 40-minute train ride between the cities.
10. Walla Walla, WA, USA
The Walla Walla Valley has always been known for agriculture. However, three decades ago this valley faced struggles until grape vines arrived. Today, with its enticing mix of tasting rooms and cozy eateries, it is one of Washington’s most celebrated wine regions. If you’re looking for world-class Syrah, the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater AVA has become a hot spot. Make sure to enjoy a walk around Walla Walla itself, which boasts a reputation for exquisite wine and food.
Planning tip: Fly directly into Walla Walla regional airport, or drive 4 hours east over the Cascade Mountains from Seattle.
