Wine tourism is become an increasingly popular part of a holiday, and most wine estates now see it as an important part of their business. It can be as simple as dropping in to a small local producer close to where you are staying, tasting and buying some wine.
However, many wineries offer more, and this can include a day-long visit incorporating food and outdoor activities as well as wine.
I list seven of my favourite wine destinations below. I have avoided better-known names such as Bordeaux, Champagne and Franshoek in South Africa and concentrated on regions that are mostly a little off the beaten track.
In many cases, these will be less expensive. It is always worth making an appointment beforehand either through the producer website or by email.
Jerez de la Frontera
Spain
Even if you aren’t a sherry fan, I would recommend a visit to the city of Jerez and nearby Sanlucar. If you do happen to like sherry, you will be in seventh heaven. Jerez has a fantastic food culture and many great tapas bars, known as tabancos here.
The streets are lined with orange and jacaranda trees, offering a spectacular sight when in flower.
What to do
- Eat a seafood lunch with a glass of manzanilla in one of the excellent bar/restaurants overlooking the beach in Sanlucar de Barrameda
- Visit the alcazar and cathedral
- Visit and taste sherry at the Bodegas Tío Pepe or Gonzalez Byass
- Take a stroll around the old town, have lunch on the square, visit the amazing fish market
- Watch a performance at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art
- Take in some flamenco. Jerez is the spiritual home of flamenco and demonstrations often take place in bars
Porto and the Douro Valley
Portugal
Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, its sister city over the river, have a long and fascinating history. The buzzing old town is filled with bars, cafes and restaurants.
In recent years, many of the Port houses have developed visitor centres and offer tours of the venerable old cellars followed by tastings. If you do visit Porto, make sure to keep a free day to visit the wonderful Douro Valley, now a Unesco World Heritage site.
What to do
- Visit WOW, the World of Wine, including the Wine Experience, the Chocolate Experience and much more
- Visit Taylor’s Port Lodge
- Stroll around the old town of Porto – have lunch in Prova wine bar
- Visit Lello bookshop, the Majestic Café, the Stock Exchange Palace
- Journey by boat, train or car to the Douro Valley, one of the most spectacular vineyards in the world
- Take a trip on the Téleferico cable car
Alba
Italy
An attractive prosperous city in Piedmont in northwest Italy, Alba is a best-known to foodies for the famous white truffle. It is also home to some of Italy’s greatest wines, including Barolo and Barbaresco, and chocolate company Ferrero. You can smell the chocolate throughout the town but sadly the factory is not open to visitors.
What to do
- Visit the annual white truffle fair held from October 10th until December 6th
- Enjoy a glass of wine or plate of food in the bustling Vincafé on Via Vittorio Emanuele
- Eat great local traditional food in Osteria dell Arco, Piazza Michele Ferrero
- Stroll through the lively city centre packed with interesting shops and medieval churches
- Visit one of many hilltop villages with great views out over the vineyards
- Visit a winery, most offer paid tastings. Fontanafredda on the outskirts has a hotel, restaurants, and tasting room. You can even hire a Vespa
Tain-l’Hermitage, Ardèche
France
The town of Tain-l’Hermitage may seem unremarkable but it is home to Hermitage and Crozes-Hermitage, two of the great wines of France, and is well worth a visit for that reason alone.
What to do
- Visit Maison Chapoutier for tastings and shopping
- Take a trip up the magnificent hill of Hermitage, on foot, electric bike or train
- Visit the museum, visitor centre and shop at La Cité du Chocolat, home to Valrhona chocolate
- Drop into Le Bateau Ivre wine bar and order from its extensive well-priced wine list
- Enjoy smart bistro food on the terrace overlooking the river Rhône in Le Quai restaurant
Haro, Rioja
Spain
Haro is one of the most historic towns in Rioja. Just an hour’s drive south from Bilbao (and the ferry from Cork) as well as the airport, the city was one of the first to be connected to the railway. As a result, many of the oldest wineries are clustered near the old railway station, in the Barrio de la Estación
What to do
- Visit the historic winery of La Rioja Alta in the old town
- Tour the Bodegas Muga vineyards by electric bike, segway or hot air ballon. Picnic in the vineyards
- Enjoy the buzzy La Herradura (The Horse Shoe) two parallel streets in the old town for tapas or a meal. Los Caños, Beethoven Chamonix, Terete, Nublo and Alboroque all serve their own special tapas, ranging in style from casual to Michelin star
- Take a trip to the Vivanco Museum of Wine in nearby Briones
- Architecture fans should take the short trip to Bodegas Marqués de Riscal (Frank Gehry) in Elciego and Ysios (Santiago Calatrava) in LaGuardia
Mosel river
Germany
The Mosel river passes through Luxembourg, France and Germany. Most of it is in France, but the German part is better-known, largely because of its beautiful vineyards, picturesque villages and imposing hilltop castles. Other wines are produced, but Riesling is king along the Mosel. Some of the world’s greatest wines are made here and they’re usually light in alcohol.
What to do
- Eat good local food at the Zeltinger Hof, in Zeltingen and enjoy wine from a very impressive keenly priced wine list
- Take a trip down the river in one of the many boats or, if you are feeling energetic, hire a bike
- Take one of the many hiking trails up into the mountains
- Visit picturesque Bernkastel-Kues, climb up the steep slopes to Landshut Castle and look out over the amazing vineyards clinging to impossibly steep slopes
- Camp by the river in one of the many campsites
Christchurch
New Zealand
Christchurch is the main city on the South Island of New Zealand. Devastated by an earthquake in 2011, the city has been largely restored or rebuilt. A short drive north will bring you to Waipara Valley, home to some New Zealand’s finest wineries.
What to do
- Eat at Gatherings (serious food, unfussy surroundings) or Inati, graze at The Riverside market
- Take the slow tram through the streets of the old city
- Stroll around the Botanic Gardens
- Ride the Christ Church Gondola if you have a head for heights
- Visit the neogothic Arts Centre
- Watch whales, eat crayfish, enjoy the dramatic scenery at Kaikōura, an hour north of Waipara
- Take a trip to Waipara. Pegasus Bay (beautiful gardens), Greystone and Black Estate all produce excellent food and wine
