Calling all oenophiles! If combining your love for travel with your fine taste in wine is always a priority when booking a trip, then a wine tasting holiday and this guide is for you.Â
From mesmerising Malbecs in Mendoza to pursuing the port in Porto or the Douro Valley and beyond. We leave no glass empty in our pursuit of a fine vintage. Whether you favour a complex and rich Cabernet Sauvignon or a robust Riesling, there’s a wine tasting holiday for you.
So let’s get started, sit back, relax and pour yourself a glass of vino and get vin-spired!
Porto and the Douro Valley, Portugal
The Douro Valley is one of the best places for a wine tasting holiday.
Why not start your sojourn to Portugal in the city of Porto – which is the entrance to the stunning Douro Valley wine region?
The clue is in the name and it’s fair to say that the Porto wine flows freely in the city’s restaurants and bars.
You can even enjoy a wide range of tours and tastings in the many wineries that are in abundance in the city.Â
Arguably, Porto is second only to France’s champagne region (in terms of history and provenance) making it a wine lover’s haven.
Of course, the Douro Valley wine region is a mere hop, skip and jump away.
It is one of the world’s oldest wine regions and was declared a UNESCO-listed heritage site back in 2001.
There’s some great places to sit ‘n’ sup and watch the world go by which includes all the Quintas – Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Quinta do Vale Dona Maria and Quinta da Vacaria.
Not only is it a stellar choice for wine, it is also one of the most picturesque wine regions in Europe.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town has it all, it’s stunningly beautiful and cosmopolitan, abundant in history and is an ideal location for adventure, but of course it’s best known for its incredible wine.
Wherever you meander around this vibrant city, you will find wine.
Not only in bars and restaurants, but also in some very high-spec cellars and estates too. Crisp whites, bold reds and frisky rosés, no glass is left full and why shouldn’t it be?!Â
Neethlingshof Estate is one of the best places to enjoy a wine tasting holiday for those on a plant-based diet.
All of the estate’s reds – and the newest whites are all 100% vegan.
There’s also lots of fabulous wineries in the region, so why not take the renowned wine tram to take you to some of the wineries in Franschhoek.
There are 8 to delve into in total and this valley is chock-full of picturesque vineyards, world-class cuisine and breath-taking scenery.
Orbzii Insider Tip – Head over to the DeMorgenzon Vineyard where they do things a little but differently.
They pipe classical music into the cellar, winery and vineyard which they believe makes a huge difference and it seems their scientific approach has resulted in some fabulous wines.
Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza in Argentina is not just one of the best places for a wine tasting holiday.
It’s also a superb destination for foodies and adventurers too. After all, Mendoza is the beating heart of the self-styled ‘land of sunshine and wine.
There are three main regions in Mendoza to visit – Luján de Cuyo, Uco Valley and Maipu.
You can either take part in an organised tour, hire a driver and plan your own itinerary or just visit one of two regions.
Even wandering around the vineyards is a treat in itself.
Think lush green vines that wave in the wind against a backdrop of snow-dusted mountains.
It’s so instagrammable and it’s like nowhere else.
Make sure you visit the Trapiche Bodega and Vineyard, the sublime Salentein which has some of the best views in Mendoza.
It is one of the most unique looking wineries in the country thanks to its intriguing architecture and Vistalba which is unique in the sense that all the wine is produced using gravity as opposed to pumps.
Outside of all-things wine, there’s so many things to do in Mendoza.
From olive oil tasting and touring the region on horseback to watching an Andean sunset and white water rafting on the Mendoza River.
Bordeaux, France
Experience the good life in Bordeaux. As well as all the wine, there’s great food and pleasant weather to add to your reasons to visit Bordeaux list.
If you add one French city outside of Paris to your bucket list, why not make it Bordeaux?!
There’s incredible architecture, an array of top-notch cultural attractions and lots of fascinating history.
So, back to the wine then! This region is synonymous with its world-class wine.
As well as paying a visit to various bars and restaurants, why not carve some time out for a wine tour or visit the popular La Cité du Vin, which is a true haven for wine lovers.
Not only does it have a huge wine museum where you can view various exhibitions.
There’s also an array of cultural events around wine to enjoy too, making it a superb choice for a wine tasting holiday.
One of the best ways to explore the city is by renting a bike which is the easiest and one of the most cost-effective ways to explore the city.
Marvel at the architectural masterpiece in the city which includes the Saint-Michel church, the Porte de Cailhau and the Palais Rohan.
There’s also an abundance of beautiful green spaces like the Parc Rivière and the Parc Bordelais.
Of course, then there’s the Miroir d’Eau – the world’s biggest reflecting pool which is truly a sight to behold.
Santorini, Greece
Oh sweet Santorini! It’s a beautiful island that is ideal for a break.
Whether it’s a restorative retreat for wellness, a wine tasting holiday or a dreamy break a deux!
From its pristine whitewashed houses perched atop craggy caldera cliffs, the brilliant blue sea, or the mesmerising sunsets, it’s clear to see why this pretty island is so ideal for a wine tasting holiday.
Of course, the Santorini wine alone is enough to keep visitors coming to this picturesque place.
In fact, it’s also known as the ‘wine island’ which makes it a perfect destination for those looking for a wine tasting holiday.
Santorini is home to some of the oldest vines in the world and the winegrowers of Santorini have benefitted from fertile, volcanic soils for centuries – giving them plenty of time to get their grape-crushing techniques down to a T!
For dinner at sunset (and yes, you can’t beat a sunset in Santorini) book a table at Domaine Sigalas in Oia.
Here you can try some gorgeous wines and eat from a flavoursome a la carte menu on vine-adorned terrace that enjoys the most incredible sunset views.
Maipo Valley, Chile
Head down from Chile’s capital, Santiago to the sun-drenched Maipo Valley which produces some of the world’s most prestigious wines.
It is often described as the ‘Bordeaux of South America’ and you can’t go to this region for a wine tasting holiday without trying its most celebrated wine – the excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.
From the family-run Santa Ema winery which prides itself on its sustainable principles to one of the oldest and most rustic wineries in Chile – Viña Undurraga.
If you are looking for a wine tasting holiday somewhere really special, look no further than the Maipo Valley!
Once you have had your fill of wine, then why not head north to Santiago where there’s plenty of cool things to see and do.
Take a stroll around the vibrant and picturesque Plaza de Armas which is the beating heart of Santiago.
The city is full of interesting landmarks, museums and art galleries as well as great shops where you can pick up handicrafts, lapis lazuli, handmade wooden crafts and leather goods.
Marlborough, New Zealand
From Auckland to Waiheke Island, New Zealand is one of the best destinations to enjoy a wine tasting holiday.
The country is home to a number of fantastic wine regions and wherever you go, you will find some amazon wineries.
However, we can’t help but think that Marlborough is the region that you shouldn’t miss.
Situated at the top of the South Island, Marlborough is the country’s largest region for producing wine.
Whilst its crisp Sauvignon Blanc wines are world-renowned, it’s also received acclaim for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and more.
Marlborough is also one of the best places to enjoy delicious fresh seafood in New Zealand.
Once you have perused the 30-plus wineries, then why not consider some of the most incredible things to do in the region.
Like swimming with dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds, go mountain biking, or take a hike on D’Urville Island.
Napa Valley, USA
Glorious and abundant, the Napa Valley wine country is located in Northern California, 50 miles northeast of San Francisco.
If you are looking for that ultimate wine tasting holiday and love California, then the Napa Valley which has more than 400 wineries is most definitely for you.Â
Without a doubt, Napa Valley is world-renowned for its world-class wineries, fantastic weather all year-round and its stunning landscape of expansive vineyards and rolling hills.
From TV-featured vineyards like the Artesa Vineyard & Winery to the historic Inglenook Winery, you won’t run out of vineyards to enjoy a bottle or two.
Wine bottles aside, there’s so much more than just a glass of the red stuff to enjoy here, even if you are on a wine tasting holiday.
From activities like paddle boarding on the Napa River or enjoying hot air balloon rides through the skies overlooking the Napa Valley.
Or going horse riding or hiking at the Skyline Wilderness Park or paying a visit to the family-friendly Connolly Ranch Education Center which is ideal for all age groups.
