Sipping a nice glass of wine isn’t just about what’s inside the bottle – it’s the entire experience too. From being surrounded by rolling hills and a beautiful backdrop, to sitting inside an impressive building and taking in the area’s history.
The Wine Travel Awards highlights the top wineries each year across 48 different countries and this year’s winners are set to be determined on May 1.
For now, 21 of the best spots to enjoy a glass of wine have been shortlisted, and Iryna Diachenkova, CEO of the awards, shared to Forbes: ‘The selections are grounded in first-hand experience.’
She added: ‘We discovered that on Mazzorbo, an island near Venice, a renowned winemaking family had revived the long-lost Dorona grape.
‘When we visited Venissa Estate, we saw for ourselves that its flagship wine is pure gold, at least in colour and certainly in price. Naturally, we added it to our must-visit list.’
From France to Taiwan, here are some of the best wineries across the world – but you won’t find the UK on the list.
Bodega La Luz del Vino, Mendoza, Argentina
Bodega La Luz del Vina is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the area
Tucked away in Argentina’s renowned wine region in the Uco Valley lies Bodega La Luz del Vino.
This winery has some of the oldest vineyards in the area and it produces 500,000 litres of wine every year.
Wine Travel Awards describe the winery as a ‘state -of-the-art company’ and it even has a research and development department that looks into micro vinification.
The final product is stored in oak barrels – either French or Slavonian.
Champagne Joseph Perrier, Châlons-en-Champagne, France
Visitors can tour the historic champagne cellars of Champagne Joseph Perrier
Joseph Perrier opened this impressive champagne house in 1825 and it has been family-owned for six generations since.
Visitors can even tour the historic champagne cellars – a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 4th Century.
Château Pape Clément, Pessac, France
Château Pape Clément is a castle boasting seven centuries of wine history
Located near beautiful Bordeaux, Château Pape Clément is a castle boasting seven centuries of wine history.
Its first ever grape harvest happened all the way back in 1252, and now, visitors can enjoy the castle’s charming architecture and landscaped gardens – accompanied by a glass of wine.
Shaloshvili Cellar & Hotel, Shilda, Kakheti, Georgia
Shaloshvili Cellar and Hotel produces 150,000 bottles each year from its 16 hectares of vineyards
Located in the village of Shilda, in Georgia’s Kakheti region, Shaloshvili Cellar and Hotel is another family-owned establishment.
The wine cellar dates back to 1998 and these days produces 150,000 bottles each year from its 16 hectares of vineyards.
SHUMI Winery, Tsinandali, Kakheti, Georgia
SHUMI, in Georgia, grows more than 2,000 varieties of grapes
Another Georgian winery, SHUMI aims to encapsulate the area’s heritage and sits on the border of a national park in ‘the historically famous, unique and picturesque winemaking micro-zones of Georgia,’ according to Wine Travel Awards.
Newer to the scene than some of the centuries-old establishments, SHUMI dates back 25 years in the winemaking scene and grows more than 2,000 varieties of grapes – making it the largest private ampelographic collection in the world.
Winery Khareba, Kvareli, Kakheti, Georgia
Winery Khareba produces more than 50 wine-related products from 30 different grape varieties
Winery Khareba combines traditional techniques with modern to create good-quality wine from its 1,500 hectares of vineyard located across Georgia.
It produces more than 50 wine-related products from 30 different grape varieties.
FASOLI GINO Winery, Verona, Italy
FASOLI GINO Winery is a family-run establishment that uses biodynamic and regenerative practices
Dating back to 1925, the family-run winery made its first sale to the local parish priest and has gone on to become a renowned establishment.
Gino Fasoli took over in the 1970s and the company converted to organic farming methods in the 1980s.
These days, the winery uses biodynamic and regenerative practices, according to its website.
Mirabella Golf Club, Mirabella Eclano, Italy
The Mirabella Golf Club has ‘The Wine Cellar’ – good for those seeking a venue where ‘tastings of food and wine pairings are accompanied by good live music’
Founded by the Mastroberardino family, the Mirabella Golf Club boasts ‘The Wine Cellar’.
The venue has impressed Wine Travel Awards as a spot where ‘tastings of food and wine pairings are accompanied by good live music’.
Radici Resort, Mirabella Eclano, Italy
Another Italian spot, the Radici Resort impresses with its local vine varieties and 60-hectare estate
Located in Southern Italy, nestled in the Irpinia region of Campania, the Radici Resort impresses with its local vine varieties and 60-hectare estate.
Described as ‘completely immersed in the vineyards’ on the venue’s website, it’s a spot that pairs relaxation with amazing, locally-grown flavour.
Venissa Estate, Venice, Italy
Venissa Estate is located on the island of Mazzorbo
Located on the island of Mazzorbo, nearby Venice, the unique spot is home to a walled vineyard.
Within its walls grows the Dorona – a native variety that was almost wiped out during a flood in 1966.
The award-winning walled vineyard now produces a 3,000 bottles of Venissa Bianco – a much sought-after wine by collectors.
Ventiventi Winery, Modena, Italy
Ventiventi Winery is run by three brothers Andrea, Riccardo, and Tommaso Razzaboni
The 70-hectare estate was acquired by its current owners in 2014 and Ventiventi was born. It’s run by three brothers Andrea, Riccardo, and Tommaso Razzaboni.
With a huge emphasis on organic farming, the first vines were planted in 2016 and harvested in 2018 – marking the start of the new business.
Villa Cammaratini, Modica, Italy
Villa Cammaratini is the perfect spot for a glass of wine surrounded by rural landscapes and countryside
This luxurious Sicilian Villa is the perfect spot for a glass of wine surrounded by rural landscapes and countryside.
Visitors are recommended to stay at the villa to enjoy the Cantina Rio Favara winery.
Vinos de La Luz, Siena, Italy
Found outside of Montalcino, Tuscany, Vinos de La Luz’s Italian estate is tucked away in the UNESCO site of Val d’Orcia.
The Yeatman, Porto, Portugal
The Yeatman is located inso the port wine cellar district in Porto
A luxurious wine hotel situated along the Douro River in Porto, The Yeatman is one of Portugal’s best spots to enjoy wine.
It is located inside the port wine cellar district and the hotel’s restaurant, boasts two Michelin stars.
The Glass Museum at Glenelly Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa
The Glass Museum boasts a glass collection spanning over 2,000 years
Founder of the South African winery, May de Lencquesaing, 101, says, ‘On my first visit to Stellenbosch, I knew that this was where I wanted to fulfil my dream of starting a new adventure outside of France.’
The Glass Museum, at Glenelly Estate, boasts an impressive glass collection spanning over 2,000 years bringing ‘history, beauty, and elegance’ together, according to its website.
It undoubtably adds a unique layer to the estate’s wine.
Bodega La Luz del Duero, Ribera del Duero, Spain
Bodega La Luz del Duero boasts 44 hectares of vineyards that overlook a castle
DO Ribera del Duero focusses its vineyards in small areas where the soil is most suitable, taking only 3 per cent of its land with vines.
Bodega has 44 hectares of vineyards and produces 400,000 litres of the popular drink a year.
The site overlooks a medieval castle and sweeping countryside views.
Bodega La Luz de Rueda, Valladolid, Spain
Bodega La Luz de Rueda is another highly respected Spanish winery
DO Rueda focusses on growing native varieties in a Mediterranean climate and on ‘gravelly soils,’ according to the Wine Travel Awards.
Bodega Tío Pepe, Jerez, Spain
Going back centuries, this Spanish winery is ideal for lovers of sherry
Tio Pepe specialises in sherry and dates back to 1835 when Manuel María González Ángel decided to dip into the wine industry aged just 23. It was the first winery to use electricity.
Visitors can enjoy cellar tours and stay at the winery’s hotel. The company also hosts the Tio Pepe festival which combines wine, music, and culture.
Descalzos Viejos, Malaga, Spain
Combining history and wine making – Descalzos Viejos is based in a former monastery
Previously used as a monastery, Descalzos Viejos is now beautifully restored after its current owners purchased the site in 1998.
They planted new vineyards and now the winery boasts a unique history and architecture as a backdrop for its wines.
Domaine Vino Formosa, Taipei City, Taiwan
Pioneers in deep-sea wine aging, Domaine Vino Formosa is an impressive winery in Taiwan
The award-winning Domaine Vino Formosa, alongside Dr Chien Hao Chen, is the first to explore deep-sea-aged wine in Taiwan – earning recognition from the Wine Travel Awards.
Breaking boundaries in the wine industry, the deep-sea aging process was inspired by a 200-year-old shipwreck.
It involves sending a five-year oak barrel aged Vino Formosa Bianco down to the ocean floor for seven months.
Monsoon Valley Vineyard, Hua Hin, Thailand
This impressive vineyard in Thailand can be found next to an elephant sanctuary
Monsoon Valley Vineyard was founded in 2001 by Chalerm Yoovidhya who wanted to create a wine culture in Thailand.
Nestled between national parks and lush jungle greenery, site is also next to an elephant sanctuary – adding a completely unique layer to the wine experience.
