Top 32 Must-Visit Destinations for Wine Aficionados

Whatever your wine preference, there’s a vinous place for your next holiday…

If you’re someone whose interest in different wines and their background has surpassed the colour of the drink, then the best places to visit for wine lovers might be on your radar.

While some may look for sun or sand when they’re booking a holiday, those who have an affinity for wine might be looking for something different.

From California’s rich vineyards to Argentina’s traditional wineries and the many regions of France and all the delicious wines they have to offer, here are the best places in the world to visit if you’re a wine lover.

Notable for its world-class wine, this vineyard paradise on the West Coast hosts Napa Valley and its younger, cooler sibling Sonoma. Iconic wineries such as Robert Mondavi and the picturesque Domaine Carneros (a personal favourite for the in-depth winemaking tour and delightfully creamy sparkling wines) share space with smaller, family-owned establishments providing unique tasting experiences. The extensive array of wineries caters to most wine aficionados. The region is renowned for its full-bodied Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Bordeaux, often hailed as the world’s most famous wine region, comprises five distinct appellations and serves as the go-to place for red wine lovers. Margaux in the north is recognized for dry reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and some Merlot. Wines from Pauillac share these traits, adding depth and richness. Pomerol is the place to splurge on pricey varieties, featuring robust, smooth Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Saint-Emilion offers smooth Cab Francs and Merlot, and bold Cab Sauvignon. Sauternes caters to fans of sweet white wines like Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscadelle.

Located in Northern Spain, La Rioja caters to those wishing to relish traditional winemaking while enjoying scrumptious tapas. The region provides multiple wineries, from heritage venues in small villages to modern production facilities in larger towns. La Rioja’s signature wines are oak-aged Tempranillo and full-bodied Garnacha. White wine lovers would appreciate their evolving oaky and fruity Viura, Malvasia, and Garnacha Blanca wines.

Puglia is famous for its potent Primitivo wines, characterized by bold and fruity flavours, but it offers much more. The region uses the dark, berry-flavoured Negroamaro grape to create medium-to-full blends, while the herbaceous Verdeca is used in aromatic white wines. Visiting Puglia provides a taste of Italian culture combined with tastings of bold and full-bodied wines.

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If you’re a fan of robust whites, this journey is for you. The region is most known for its Chardonnay and rich Pinot Noir wines. With five distinct areas in this region, there is a great deal to explore. Chablis is renowned for its famously smooth Chardonnay, while more diverse offerings of both red and whites can be found in Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Louis Jadot in Macon for some of the smoothest, most delightful blends.

Porto, the home to the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, consists of two sub-regions – Douro and Porto. It’s unique demarcation status ensures that Porto is the sole global producer of Port wine, protecting the quality of the wine. Douro, in contrast, develops dry reds from Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Touriga Roriz grapes, for deep, full-bodied blends akin to Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

The world-renowned Champagne region needs little introduction. For enthusiasts of this bubbling wine delight, this place offers the unique opportunity to witness its production first-hand. Spend your time equally between the larger, famous houses where you can see mass production methods, and the smaller wineries where production is slower, ensuring a higher-quality product in smaller yields.

Embark on a sunny trip to Croatia and immerse yourself in a tour of their numerous undiscovered wines. From robust, tannin-rich Teran reds to a variety of whites, like the full-bodied Pošip or the more light and fresh Malvazija Istarska. There’s no better destination for wine connoisseurs.

While Mendoza is widely recognized for its intense and aromatic Malbec wines, the region also produces a high quantity of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Torrontes, and Sauvignon Blanc. Offering a variety of flavors for those preferring full-bodied wines, yet catering to lighter palates too. Be sure to visit iconic wineries such as the renowned Catena Zapata or other well-established names like Trivento. If you’re an admirer of the traditional processes, Zuccardi winery is your stop, or if you fancy a more modern style, head over to Trapiche. And your visit won’t be completed without savoring the exquisite Bodega Norton.

The Cotes du Rhône is a complete joy for any wine enthusiast. Home to smooth blends of Syrah, Cinsault, Picpoul, Grenache, and Viognier, as well as wines that originate from the prestigious Châteauneuf-du-Pape region. It offers a paradise for both red and white wine lovers, boasting from large wineries to smaller, older establishments. To make it more special, make sure to visit Guigal.

Chile hosts three critical wine-producing regions, all ripe with numerous wineries to visit. The main destination, due to its closeness to the capital, is the Maipo Valley, recognized for its bold Cabernet Sauvignons. If Syrah is more to your liking, then Elqui Valley is your spot – a slightly cooler climate is producing robust blends. And for the admirers of fine wine, Colchagua Valley awaits with its superior quality Carmenere.

Consider a tranquil summer evening with a refreshing glass of rosé. You might likely select something from Provence, yet have you considered that this esteemed pink wine region also crafts delightful reds and whites? Journey through this region to sample a spectrum of flavors, from medium to full-bodied reds, light whites, or perhaps something more audacious. And naturally, there’s ample rosé (figuratively speaking).

Indeed, the most famed wine region here is Stellenbosch, the reputed origin of the Pinotage grape. Numerous wineries call this area home, offering a diverse array of blends, from succulent and full-bodied Pinotage and Shiraz to quintessential Cab Savs. They also serve some impressively smooth Chardonnays and light, fruity Sauvignon Blanc mixes.

Driving northwest from the capital for a couple of hours brings you to Ribera del Duero, a haven for robust, tannic wines and an array of smooth wineries. For more traditional experiences, explore the smaller establishments, though you’ll find more of these in Rioja. It’s an essential destination for admirers of strong reds.

Sicily, the birthplace of the delectable, succulent Nero d’Avola, delivers rich, flavorful, and often pleasantly jammy red wines. You will discover numerous modest, family-owned wineries to savor an array of vibrant reds or perhaps the softer Nerello Mascalese, perfect for light-bodied reds or silky rosé wines.

The Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc undoubtedly stands as one of the most sought-after whites globally. It presents a fragrant, light-medium-bodied wine that pairs excellently with a plethora of dishes, making it quite adaptable. While it may not be a top choice for those who fondly savour oaky, buttery, or full-bodied whites, this region guarantees a limitless supply of this easy-to-drink favourite.

Nestled in the heart of France is the renowned wine region, Loire Valley, which is known for producing reds, whites, rosés, and even sparkling wines. Lovers of light and medium-bodied wines would find the region a delight, given its high-quality Sancerre and Sauvignon Blanc. Additionally, the menu offers Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay blends. For the red variety, the spotlight is on Cabernet Franc, with a growing interest in Cab Sav and Pinot Noir.

Mosel is famous for its relatively light and fresh wines infused with a lot of minerality. This fusion culminates in light-bodied whites and medium-bodied reds. However, the region’s most celebrated wine is the Riesling grape variety, known for its prominent presence in quite light but fruit-rich blends.

On a separate note, Southern Australia, a wine region not to be mixed up with the South Australia state, spans areas from Western Australia to Adelaide in SA, encompasses Melbourne and surrounding locations in Victoria, extending to New South Wales. It might necessitate a considerable journey, but wine lovers who delight in full-bodied wines would find it worthwhile. The region is prominent for its robust Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz variants for reds and bold Chardonnays for those who prefer white.

Straddling the boundary of Germany and France, Alsace produces wines that embody a unique blend of styles and tastes, drawing from the influences of both nations. It’s renowned primarily for its dry Riesling, which distinct from the sweet types often associated with this variety, along with light, aromatic concoctions made from Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer. The region is also home to the sparkling Crémant d’Alsace, an increasingly popular alternative to the traditional Champagne, celebrated for its fine bubbles and smooth flavour profiles.

Jerez de la Frontera is famous for a fortified white wine bearing its name – Sherry, or Jerez in Spanish. On a visit to the ancient city, one can revel in the delightful Spanish weather while gaining insights into the age-old methods employed in crafting this much-loved dry wine.

Across Greece’s mainland and its islands, wine-making regions abound. Combining a tour of the various wine regions with island-hopping makes for a perfect summer wine vacation. Among the must-try Greek wines are the full-bodied Malagousia white, reminiscent of Chardonnay, and the acclaimed Xinomavro reds.

Offering a spectrum of reds, whites, and rosés, the coastal Mediterranean region is a perennial favourite among wine enthusiasts. Notable wines include the Cabrières red, Picpoul de Pinet white, sweet Muscat wines, and the superior Crémant de Limoux. The latter’s undeniably smooth sparkling wine with its fine bubbles is steadily challenging its famous Champagne counterpart.

A newcomer to the wine industry, the southern English counties have begun to create an array of remarkable sparkling wines. The highest quality blends are coming out of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, and Cornwall. A standout is the creamy, golden Blanc de Blancs from Gusbourne winery in Kent. If you can spare a visit to the Bucks/Berks area, the Pinot Meunier from Harrow & Hope and Stanlake Park’s Rosé Superior are not to be overlooked.

The South West France, one of the world’s largest wine regions, is ideal if you wish to get a quick overview of top-tier wineries across the globe. It hosts the quintessential French reds and whites along with slightly Spanish-influenced blends due to its proximity to the border. Fans of bold reds should not skip the Cahors Malbec.

Beyond inspiring numerous works of literature, Veneto is famous for its light to medium-bodied wines. This includes light red Corvina, Rondinella, Valpolicella, and Bardolino, while the typical white wines include Soave, Pinot Grigio, and the well-known sparkling Prosecco. Although Trebbiano, Riesling, and Chardonnay are also available, it’s the light wines that take centre stage.

Navarre is notable for its dry yet frutiy Garnache rosé wines, which are also used in red wine production often combined with Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir to create an impactful wine. For whites, Viura and Garnacha Blanca wines are available, with Moscatel offering a sweet alternative.

A newcomer in the realm of wine production, Washington State stands out due to the vast distance between its vineyards and wineries. Visitors are encouraged to explore the vineyards and observe the cultivation of grapes before touring the nearby small wineries. The region features red blends akin to a Bordeaux and white Rieslings.

The region of Tuscany is the source of possibly the most iconic wines of Italy, particularly its Sangiovese-dominant dry red wines, including Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. The area’s blends are characterized by high acidity, firm tannins, and deep fruit and berry notes.

Oregon is home to sleek, contemporary wineries specializing in Pinot Noir, complemented by a range of Syrahs and Cabernet Sauvignons. White wine varietals such as Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, and Riesling can also be found in this area.

For an Italian variety that deviates from the classic Chianti, Piedmont is celebrated for its Barolo and Barbaresco wines, which are primarily made from the Nebbiolo grape. The region’s medium to high-bodied wines offer high acidity and tannins infused with a hint of fruity flavors.

While this might seem like an unlikely wine region, if you’re a fan of light, citrussy whites, you will probably have tried the slightly peppery Grüner Veltliner, which hails from this region. Spend your time here sipping the famous white or a sweet Riesling – or if you’re a red fan, you can find decent Pinot Noir wines in the region too.

Aleesha is Digital Beauty Editor at woman&home, where she gets to share her expertise into all the best techniques, sharpest tools and newest products—with a particular savvy in skincare and fragrance.

Previously, she was Deputy Editor and Beauty & Fashion Editor for My Imperfect Life, where she headed up the beauty, fashion and eCommerce pages. In the past, she has worked as Shopping Writer at woman&home, gained an AOP awards nomination after working on their news team, contributed to Women’s Health, Stylist and Goodto and earned an MA in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London.

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About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!